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Washing the auditory canal to determine the infection by Psoroptes cuniculi in goats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the technique of washing the auditory canal (ear flushing technique) either with 50 or 100mL of water to determine the prevalence of the infection by Psoroptes cuniculi and to estimate the degree of infestation for population dynamics studies. The experiment was conducted in a slaughterhouse in the city of Patos, state of Paraiba, northeastern Brazil, with 30 goats of different ages and both sexes. Left auditory canal of each goat was washed with 100mL of water, and the right with 50mL. Later, the auditory canals were opened to count the remaining parasites. The mites recovered by washing and those recovered after opening the auditory canals were counted and identified in accordance with the stage of development. No significant differences (P=5.81) were found in the prevalence of the infection between the auditory canals washed with 50mL (78.3%), and those washed with 100mL (91%). After opening the auditory canals it was determined that the parasites recovered by washing represented 19% to 35% of the total parasites of the auditory canal for all stages of development, except for the eggs, which varied from 11% to 15% of recovering, with no significant differences (P>0,05) between the auditory canals washed with 50 or 100mL. It is concluded that the technique of washing the auditory canals with 50 or 100mL of water in goats is efficient to study the prevalence of infection by P. cuniculi, however the intensity of the infection and the population dynamics should be studied in slaughtered goats by opening the auditory canals to count the different stages of the parasite.

epidemiologic studies; goats; Psoroptes cuniculi; psoroptic mange


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