Effect of some essential oils (Allium sativum L., Origanum majorana L.) and ozonated olive oil on the treatment of ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) in cats

The purpose of this study was to determine the activity of some essential oils [including garlic (A. sativum L.) and marjoram (O. majorana L.)] and ozonated olive oil against O. cynotis infestation in cats and the their activity was compared with permethrin that is used as a conventional treatment. In the study, 28 cats at different race, age and gender were included. Diagnosis was performed by the examination of ear secretions under microscope after the physical examination of cats. The level of ulceration, pruritus, pain, amount of secretion and secretory type was scored from 0 to 3 before (day 0) and after treatments (at day 10 and 30) by the physical and otocsopic examinations. Cats were randomly assigned to treatment groups including; group 1 (n=7): ozonated olive oil, group 2 (n=7): garlic oil, group 3 (n=7): marjoram oil and group 4 (n=7): permethrin. Each treatment was applied to both ears about 5 drops (0.3 ml/daily) for 10 days. All cats (100%) treated with ozonated olive oil or permethrin were recovered while 85% and 71% were recovered by marjoram and garlis, respectively. At day 10, clinical scores with exception of ulceration in the group 2 and 3 were found to be significantly reduced (p < 0.05) when compared to other treatment groups. There was no difference in terms of the number of O. cynotis among treatment groups at days 0 and 10. At days 0, 10 and 30 the number of O. cynotis (eggs, adults and young) was counted. As a result, the numbers were in following orders on the eggs at day 10; Grup 4 > Grup 1 > Grup 3 > Grup 2 and at day 30; Grup 4 = Grup 1 > Grup 3 > Grup 2, on the youngs at day 10; Grup 4 = Grup 3 > Grup 1 > Grup 2 and at day 30; Grup 4 = Grup 1 > Grup 3 > Grup 2, on the adults at day 10; Grup 4 = Grup 1 > Grup 3 > Grup 2 and at day 30; Grup 4 > Grup 1 > Grup 3 > Grup 2. The efficacy of the treatments was determined as efficacy percentage (EP) using efficacy formula. Group 4 was found to be the most effective (EP, 100%) followed by Group 1 (EP, 99.63%), Group 3 (EP, 99.28 %) and Group 2 (EP, 98.77%) for egg numbers at day 10. However, Group 1 and 4 had the same efficacy percentage (EP, 100%), followed by Group 3 (EP, 99.27%) and Group 2 (EP, 97.92%) at day 30. Group 2 (EP, 99.19%) was found to be the least effective while other treatments had 100% efficacy against young parasites at day 10. At day 30, Group 1 and 4 had the same efficacy percentage (EP, 100%) while Group 3 and Group 2 had 99.85 and 98.36%, respectively. For adults, Group 1 showed 100 and 99.77% efficacy at day 10 and 30, respectively. At days 10 and 30, Group 4 and 2 had 100% and 98.74% efficacy, respectively. However, Group 3 had 99.11% and 99.24% efficacy at day 10 and 30, respectively. Hence, the most effective treatments were group 1 and 4 at day 10. For day 30, efficacy level for treatments were in following order Group 4 > Group 1 > Group 3 > Group 2. As a result, it can be said that garlic (A. sativum L.), marjoram (O. majorana L.) and ozonated olive oil in treatment of O. cynotis infestation in cats would be alternative treatment options as being cheap, easy to apply, no side effects and safe to conventional treatment (permethrin).