Otodectic otoacariasis in free-ranging Eurasian lynx in Sweden

An infestation with Otodectes cynotis, the ear mite of cats and dogs, was o bserved in three free-ranging Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) killed in Sweden. T he ear canals were obstructed by waxy secretions and exfoliated epithelium. Histologically, there were hyperkeratosis and acanthosis, and the epitheli al surface was overlained by hyperkeratotic and parakeratotic crusts with m ites, mite detritus and cerumen. In the subcutis there was a slight to mode rate infiltration of lymphocytes and macrophages. The ceruminous glands wer e hypertrophic and hyperplastic, and there was also an hyperplasia of the s ebaceous glands. The lesions seemed to correlate with the degree of infesta tion. To our knowledge, this is the first report of otoacariasis in free-ra nging lynx.