Advice
★★★★★
Advice
★★★★★
(Des Moines, NM)
09/29/2008
Thanks for the tip. I've been treating my kitten with olive oil & tea tree oil (one tablespoon w/ 3 or 4 drops tea tree), cleaning every 2 - 3 days. I have been wondering how long the mite life-cycle is... knowing I need to get the new hatch before we get JR cured. I'm two weeks into treatments and will keep up the schedule for another two.
Thanks again! Christina
(Ontario, Canada)
01/25/2023
I've always heard / read that tea tree oil is toxic to cats...can even be deadly. Some essential oils are fine for pets but others aren't.
Alum
★★★★★
Apple Cider Vinegar
★☆☆☆☆
WARNING!
Recently noticed he would walk with his ears back. Didn't think too much of it at first thought it was strange. A few days later he started walking with his head tilted.
I googled and it came up with ear mites. I checked the ears and it looked like the pictures. I used Olive oil for a week one ear that wasn't that bad looks pretty clean now but the bad one, the one he was tilting his head on still looks like a lot of gunk inside. The cat didn't mind the olive oil. Was really good about letting me put in with a dropper, esp. Considering its a stray. No scratching or trying to bite. Just shook his ears and wanted to get away after his treatment.
I tried the diluted 50/50 apple cidar vinigar and water and it hurt him really bad. He meowed a bunch of times then got really crazy and got away still didn't scratch or bite..poor thing. I felt horrible.
I figured the week of olive oil would've healed up any open sores.
He doesn't come when I call.and just wants to hide all.day. totally different personality.
I'm not sure if I should give the olive oil more time on the bad ear or try something else. I don't want to hurt him again.
(Mpls., Mn)
05/03/2018
Hey Natural,
Consider the Arcane remedy for ear infections for the affected ear:
https://www.earthclinic.com/arcane-solution-ear-infection-dogs.html
You might also bring this kitty in to the vet or see if a local rescue can help.
(florida)
03/01/2023
I"m so sorry that happened. I was thinking at this point since he may not let you treat his ears you could try Revolution... it's not natural, I know but it is effective on ear mites. you might be able to sneak onto his back at least once...it last for 30 days. But you'll need a prescription for it. Is it possible to get him into a carrier to go to the vet? or if you know a vet real well maybe the would just give you a script for it. To win him back try some extra tasty food like rotisserie chicken or small amount of tuna ...or some cat nip and bring a new super comfy bed. Don't lose hope... he will eventually come around but working on his ears may be a deal breaker for him.
There are natural remedies that work fine.... This cat's problem right now is more the fear from the painful use of vinegar, than the mites! Using a chemical treatment would only add insult to injury. Please do *NOT* encourage the use of pharmaceuticals on EQ ... Do you have any idea what these chemicals are doing to a great many of our pets ...?!?
"Even veterinarians routinely prescribe these based on an animal's history. But that could be a tragic mistake with this dangerous chemical. Seizures, tremors, lack of muscle control or death could occur, even if your pet has never had an adverse reaction in the past...."
*FDA-Approved Treatment Causes SERIOUS Reactions in 2/3 of Dogs!* ... https://www.barkandwhiskers.com/2020-10-05-nl-isoxazoline-flea-and-tick-medicine/
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
Apple Cider Vinegar
★☆☆☆☆
(Newfounland)
07/05/2016
It sounds like you did not dilute the ACV. This is key to that treatment. That is why you caused your cat's ears to inflame.
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
Then I tried one capful of natural apple cider vinegar to a cup of water.
I took a cotton ball, dipped it in the mixture, rang it out good. Then cleaned his ears with a slightly moist cotton ball. Within a couple of days I saw a big difference in his ear grime.
So then I thought I would try it for the mange and ring worm, I took the mixture, and soaked his ear good. I also wet the areas where there was the most flakiness and crusty flakes. Again within a week, big improvement! I highly recommend anyone to try this, but for him I couldn't use full strength. Just the smell made him puke on the spot.
One capful is all you need to one cup tepid water, it worked so well. I imagine you could also use it in a spray bottle and spray around the house, wherever he hangs out. They also liked me, so I used full strength on myself for ring worm and mange mites.
(San Jose, Ca)
08/04/2015
★★★★★
Thank you very much for posting. I just tried the diluted ACV mixture and was skeptical my dog would tolerate it. He did and seemed much calmer after. I think I've also determined from his soothed reaction, the right ear is worse or perhaps the only ear impacted. I have started itching too. I tried it and can attest to it soothing me. Thanks again! How long / frequent, did you use ACV mixture?
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
I returned late in the evening from a two-day trip and noticed my clearly aggravated cat constantly twitching his ears. After researching ear mites and finding this forum through Google I tried a vinegar treatment using a garlic flavored red wine vinegar I had on hand. He clearly showed relief after two treatments eight hours apart and has shown no further symptoms since his third treatment.
I used a paper towel folded in half twice, then rolled corner to corner to form a loose roll with pointed ends. I dipped an end into the vinegar, blotted it lightly on the side of the container until it stopped dripping, then inserted it into an ear holding it in place for about 2 minutes while soothing him. I used the other end of the roll for the other ear, then folded the two used ends together and dunked the center of the roll into the vinegar and without blotting it lightly dabbed outside of his ears and on the top of his head while avoiding his eyes.
It has now been four days exactly since I first came home and found his discomfort, he has received a total of five treatments and I intend to follow through with two additional treatments per week for the next month after taking note of the comments concerning unhatched eggs. The damp paper towel prevented any risk of damage and blotting it lightly before inserting it into his ear limited the chance of dripping liquid in his ear causing him to seriously fight me.
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
Avoid Water When Cleaning Ears
★★★★★
Also, you can always tell if a Vet is a good one or not. Just ask: "How many animals do you have?". They usually have few dogs and cats in the house. They will tell you stories of previous animals, and they will also treat your animals with respect. If you do not see these qualities, then, you need to find a new Vet.
Happy days with your pets!
Iris
Boric Acid
★★★★★
Of course, my cats hated having anything blown into their ears, however gently, but it worked beautifully in a short time and was minimally messy. The powder contained 3 ingredients, and I only remember that boric acid was one of them. I wish I remembered the other 2, but in any case, the person that was selling the powder mix didn't say what proportions they were in. I have been searching online in hopes that someone will have posted about something like it.
Boric Acid
★★★★★
It's the peroxide that can blind a cat if too much gets into this it's just like the peroxide washes for contacts if you don't give it to 12 hours to break down it burns your eyes like crazy.
Boric Acid
★★★★★
I grew up with a lot of ear infections and my grandmother always treated me with a lil boric acid and in no time, I was better. My bestfriend grew up on sweet oil for ear infections; so I figured it couldn't hurt to try it.
I use about a tablespoon of warm water to an 1/4 tsp boric acid; soak a cotton ball and swab out the ear. Then I use an eye dropper and apply 4 or 5 drops of sweet oil to each ear. I usually do this every other day. The washing usually only has to be done once per treatment. Use judgement based on look of ears.
(Port Richey, Fl)
11/22/2009
I read one of the comments of using boric acid as part of a formula. This is frightening. Do you realize that boric acid can kill cock roaches and other pests that regular pest control won't? Please research what boric acid does to the NERVE system of the cock roach to rid it for good.
Also, another comment was that using mineral oil for a couple of days rids your problem. Not so. Ear mites RAPIDLY reproduce and this takes much longer and regular cleaning to even get ear mites under control. However, after using for 3 weeks, I still bring crust up and mites from my kittens ears, as well as the brown wax, telling me they are still there. Once, my kitten is 12 weeks old, I will be using medication and still checking with mineral oil for traces of ear mites.
(Bellingham, Wa)
10/01/2010
In regards to your concern on Boric Acid. Haha, It has been used by hundreds of thousands of people as an eye wash, and as a suppository to treat yeast infections... Now if those areas are safe for boric acid I guarantee its safe for the ear! Perhaps you need to do a little more homework. As for it treating ear mites, I dunno? Couldn't hurt!
(Joy, Grace)
12/11/2010
Mparsons said "I read one of the comments of using boric acid as part of a formula. This is frightening... "
Mparsons I don't know what exactly is frightening you? Are you frightened about the way Boric Acid kills cockroaches??? Why exactly? Mamalian biology is quite different from insect biology. But anyway... Boric acid is so very slightly toxic to mammals that it can indeed be used topically.
This from wikipedia: "Based on mammalian median lethal dose (LD50) rating of 2, 660 mg/kg body mass, boric acid is poisonous if taken internally or inhaled in large quantities. However, it is generally considered to be not much more toxic than table salt. "
With long term exposure or regular consumption it might lead to problems. But it has amazing properties as an antiseptic and insecticide that is really, all things considered very safe to apply to mammalian skins. So you can rest your fears, dear, except, of course for those poor, poor cockroaches and all their suffering!
(FL)
01/12/2022
Don't forget it's a detergent first and foremost. I also use when forging steel to forge weld metal together at over 2000°
(New Orleans, La)
03/28/2012
The recipe is for BORAX not BORIC ACID
(Birmingham, Alabama)
10/19/2014
No, boric acid is correct, not borax. You can get pharmacy grade boric acid. It soothes and prevents itching also. I use Pro-Pet Antiseptic Medicated Spray I got at WalMart for tick removal on myself and pets because it kills them and prevents itching when you remove them. Boric acid is an ingredient in the original "Blue Power" ear infection treatment, but a vet has to check the eardrum before using Blue Power.
Boric Acid, Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
I first clean the cat's ears with a cotton ball with coconut oil (makes it easier to remove the dirt) and then moisten a couple of cotton balls with the solution I prepared and press it on each of the cat's ears so some of it goes in the ear. The cat will shake but this mixture works fast, relief of the itching is almost immediate. It must be applied at least 2x/day, usually only 3 days are necessary but I believe the first time I did it for a whole week. Anyway, when the ears remain clear and the cat's not scratching anymore you'll know he's cured.
NOTE: Borax can be used in place of boric acid, I think it's more stable, boric acid tends to lose potency after a couple of days.
Campho Phenique
★☆☆☆☆
