Rubbing Alcohol
★★★★★
(Chicago, Illinois, Usa)
11/25/2010
★☆☆☆☆
WARNING!
I think many of the suggestions on this thread are very helpful. As with the Tea Tree Oil, Borax needs to be used with caution! Especially as cats groom themselves so there's a high likelihood that they will ingest the stuff. Borax is even considered to be toxic by the EPA when ingested. Obviously diluted amounts are less toxic, but since dialysis is the only method for rescuing a cat that has too much exposure to Borax, I would highly recommend a lot of thought before resorting to Borax. The vaseline and vegetable oil are meant to smother the mites.
(Wpb)
05/22/2017
Hi, Alcohol works but use wet on Qtip or damp on cotton ball and has to be done very carefully without filling ear because it can go into the eyes or nose of your pet through ear canals. Alcohol in eye or nose is painful and burns. It hurts to breath alcohol. Try saline solution or salty like the ocean if you mix yourself with a little baking soda but again don't fill ear with solution. Apply with Qtip And dry with Qtip and tissue to get rid of moisture. To prevent ear aches from the moisture.
Seizures
1. Panting
2. Stumbling
3. Mild head jerking
4. Confusion
After each one of these 30-minute events, she would go the kitchen and clean out any left over dog or cat food. Then she would appear fine. Vet visits showed she was in good health...with her thyroid a bit low. We tried prozac, thinking it might be anxiety attacks, with no relief so we weaned her off. We started her on thyroid meds and her general overall well being improved, but the attacks came regularly throughout the day. I gave her 12.5 benedryl and it helped...but it kept her sleepy, and she was getting weaker. I was at my wits end!!! It looked like I was going to have to put my sweet Tuffie down. I noted one day, she was occasionally shaking her head...not often, but I did notice it. It occurred to me she could have ear mites.
I treated her for ear mites and she literally stopped the attacks overnight! Am I crazy? Have you all heard of such a thing?
(Mpls., Mn)
11/24/2014
Hey Johann!
What you describe sounds *exactly* like seizures. It is possible there are mites as well, but some seizures show up as head shaking.
Is there a reason your vet has not prescribed seizure meds? I understand that some folks would like to avoid any kind of drug, but you do have a senior with creeping up on high miles; a seizure medication from the vet may quite improve his quality of life.
As you saw, after a seizure your dog is very hungry; some sugar will help after a seizure - either sugar water, honey water, corn syrup or vanilla ice cream in a pinch.
In my limited experience, seizures that crop up in an older animal tend to just get worse. If this were my dog I would see the vet and discuss medications - and take a look/see for ear mites. I would also look at the environment to check for contaminants, and avoid feeding any food that contains rosemary, along with any type of food dye, or grains.
If seeing the vet is out of the question at this time and you find 'coffee grounds' in your dog's ears, then check out EC's remedies for ear mites:
(Portslade, Uk)
11/25/2014
Soaked Tobacco
★★★★★
Soak pure tobacco (buy online) in about 100 ml of water for half an hour, and strain out the tobacco with a coffee filter. Use an eyedropper to squirt in the cat's ear and massage the ear afterward.
Worked extremely well.
Sulfur
Tea Tree Oil
Washing your hands or wearing gloves and changing inbetween patients is critical to prevent cross contaimination. My vet also said it was excellent to use tea tree oil for it's anti viral property. I'm glad to find this web site and am excited to go research the essential oil toxicity and the Diatmaceous earth cutting action from "glass" byproduct. Meanwhile I'll be hitting the pantry!. Jacque
(Morristown, N.j.)
05/31/2010
I used, for ear mites, diatomaceous earth (food grade) mixed with mineral oil, used cotton ball and spread it all around ear flap. Used diatomaceous earth under the opening of the ear. For pain, in the ear, I used an holistic approach. Got it in the drug store, contains Chamomilla, and Merc Sol, and used it sparingly in the ear for relieving pain, as it soothes and calms the animal.
(Us)
08/05/2018
Warnings on Tea Tree Oil and other related products - for cats.
Warning:
Using Tea Tree Oil topically on a cat.
Tea tree oil, which contains phenols (as does its neighbor, turpentine! ) is very toxic to cats because they do not possess the enzymes to metabolize it, so it is stored in the liver and can cause irreparable damage over time.
Most veterinarian medicines are prohibitively expensive, harmful or outright poisons. If health is a business, let the buyer beware. However, I would see a vet just to determine if the cat has also an ear infection as well as ear mites. Antibiotics have a long-term damaging effect on the body and some cats do not recover well at all.
Tea Tree Oil
★☆☆☆☆
WARNING!
Ted's Mange Cure
Which leads to my question. While I haven't bathed her in the borax/peroxide/water solution yet, I'm still planning on it. She is very fluffy, looks like she might have Norwegian Forest Cat in her. My plan is to fill a mop bucket with the solution, then put her in the bucket and literally soak her. Trying to get it to the skin and then have it dry is going to be a challenge because of the under-floof in her coat. And liquid tends to run off. I figured I would then put her in a cat carrier for an hour to give the skin a chance to absorb the solution before she could dry herself. Does this sound like a reasonable plan to anyone else? Would appreciate any input anyone else has.
THANKS!!!!
(Mpls., Mn)
03/30/2017
Hey Beth!
You will need to bathe your cat in a mild shampoo to break up the oil barrier in her coat - once you do that she can be rinsed and then dipped in the mange remedy. You might also consider following up with a good dusting of food grade diatomaceous earth; I will put some in a pillow case, put the cat in the bag with the head out, and then manipulate the dust in the bag to penetrate the fur. Some folks use DE in the ear for mites so you might consider that also, however IMO the liquid remedy is more effective at penetrating all areas of the ear. Do keep in mind that treatment [bathing/dusting, treating both ears, treating all animals in the house, daily washing of bedding] needs to be continued for 3 weeks to eradicate the mites.
(Alabama)
06/19/2020
I know this article is from some years ago, but just in case someone like myself click here looking for some advice on a cat issue & thanks bathing their animal in peroxide would be a good idea, STOP! Aside from using hydrogen peroxide from helping a dog induce vomit, it is never safe for your animals. And cats are especially sensitive to it it can cause bleeding of the stomach or at the least irritation and is known to be FATAL! Do not use witch-hazel or alcohol either. I'm not going to make any suggestions, but I would probably go with something from the vet or at least go to an affordable site like chewys.com. They have a variety of baths for cats and dogs, you can find something safe for a bath instead of home remedies for the situation. I'm all for home remedies but just make you do your homework thoroughly first. Our animals rely totally upon us and it's our job to make sure they're safe in everyway.
EC: Hi Barbie, the poster is referring to Ted's Mange Cure, a combination of borax and peroxide highly diluted in water. It has been tested on thousands of dogs and cats worldwide since 2004 when it was first posted on this site. It is indeed a safe remedy.
Ted's Mange Cure
★★★★★
I noticed my beloved fur ball Violet had gunk around her one ear. Not really scratching at it, but also recalling last year when this happened it was ear mites, which I took her to the vet for. We did that gel, plus Revolution. Right now a $200+ vet bill is out of the question. So I googled. And y'all came up. And I started reading ... and cleaning her ear .. and reading.
I started with colloidal silver in the ear, and internally. Kept reading. Saw the olive oil/garlic. My husband is a naturopathic GP ... so we have lots of remedies around the house. Grabbed the ear drops that had the olive oil and garlic, plus something else. At this point her ear starts to look worse. She's scratching more, and the exterior in front of the ear is looking really irritated. So I keep reading, and reading, and reading. Ted's formula keeps coming up. I had to get to the store to get Borax, but I had peroxide at home. So I started cleaning her ear with straight 3% peroxide. As a rule, I don't like peroxide on an animal's ears. It's very very drying to tender skin. BUT ... I needed to get something going better. I used cotton pads (Shiseido, expensive but worth it. They don't shed, they're strong, and they are SUPER soft.) soaked but not dripping, then q-tips. It hurt. Her ear was bright red and I thought I did some real damage. I left her alone for the night and checked her the next day. Blood crusts, her ear was loaded with them. Which told me something in the right direction was happening. I bathed her using Dawn, paying attention to butt and feet. She has long hair - we think Norwegian Forest cat- so you have to work thoroughly to make sure it gets to the skin.
I got the borax, and read more. I needed to know if I could use it directly in the ear. Yay Ted!! YES I COULD. I mixed up a 1/2 batch, storing it in a glass jar in a drawer. For the last 3 nights I've soaked cotton pads and worked them inside her ear to loosen everything, then used q-tips. Violet has a "pocket" in her ear that was holding a lot of crust. The first night she wouldn't let me get anywhere near this pocket. The next night I started on the pocket with a q-tip before cleaning the ear with the pads. Success!!! She was in less pain, so I had more time to work with it. I pulled out a lot of crust. After cleaning it as thoroughly as I could, I took a dropper and put in 3 or 4 drops in the ear directly -- 2 into that pocket -- and massaged the ear then let her shake. Last night, very little crust, pocket still pretty clean. We're in the right direction.
My husband is going to fashion me a "cone of shame" so we can make sure she stays wet long enough for the solution to dry into the skin (which is what Revolution does). Then the dog will get done. I plan on keeping this up for at least a month, and treating the carpet.
I just noticed behind the ear she had matted hair "dred locks" and she's scratching behind that ear .. so it's going to be a Ted bath tonight. At least I know this is the right direction. If it happens again .. and it probably will .. I will go straight for Ted's solution. I don't think the oil etc did what was needed. So thank you one and all for all of your comments!!! Your comments gave me the direction I needed to go in!!!
(Wa)
10/13/2018
Soaps such as "Dawn" and any other synthetic fragrance products (made from petroleum) are toxic to cats.
Dont' use q-tips - most cause the infection to go deeper into the canal. The skin tissue in the ear is thin, delicate and easily damaged. Use cotton balls soaked with what ever you use, then soft tissue to wipe out the ear (or cotton balls).
Please don't fashion a "cone of shame" - just watch for scratching - like YOU having something in your eye or eat and you can't get at it. Their symptoms of scratching means something is wrong - terribly wrong. A product should soothe this reaction, not aggravate it.
I wrap my cat in a towel while treating then let him bask in the sun (window). It's pretty traumatic for them. He does not scratch after his treatment.
Ted's Mange Cure
★★★★★
(Toronto, Ontario)
07/20/2009
Please, I have searched and searched and I still cannot find Ted's ear mite formula using the borax & H2o2 method.
I have read this lengthly mange cure on another site that was written by Ted, but I just can't understand it.
Why? Because it's for mange and you have to bath the dog/cat in it.
WHAT IS TED'S DOSAGE/INGREDIENTS FORMULA FOR EAR MITES USING BORAX & H2o2 THAT EVERYONE RAVES ABOUT BUT NO ONE ACTUALLY POSTS IN A SHORT EASY TO UNDERSTAND WAY. It's for the ears.....not for the body, right?
I have spent a fortune at the vet using Milbemite and Revolution over the past year. My poor little cat still has those nasty bugs.....I just had the vet put her 5th application of Milbemite in her ears last week and she still scratches and shakes her head. So please, I beg you, would you please post an easy to follow formula for the ear mites rather than the lengthly mange formula for bathing.
|Thank you.
(Toronto, Ontario)
07/20/2009
Please, I have searched and searched and I still cannot find Ted's ear mite formula using the borax & H2o2 method.
I have read this lengthly mange cure on another site that was written by Ted, but I just can't understand it.
Why? Because it's for mange and you have to bath the dog/cat in it.
WHAT IS TED'S DOSAGE/INGREDIENTS FORMULA FOR EAR MITES USING BORAX & H2o2 THAT EVERYONE RAVES ABOUT BUT NO ONE ACTUALLY POSTS IN A SHORT EASY TO UNDERSTAND WAY. It's for the ears.....not for the body, right?
I have spent a fortune at the vet using Milbemite and Revolution over the past year. My poor little cat still has those nasty bugs.....I just had the vet put her 5th application of Milbemite in her ears last week and she still scratches and shakes her head. So please, I beg you, would you please post an easy to follow formula for the ear mites rather than the lengthly mange formula for bathing.
|Thank you.
(Toronto, Ontario)
07/30/2009
I found the answer on another site for the Ear Mites simple formula.
One part 3% Hydrogen Peroxide and 2 parts water equals a 1% solution.
The 2 parts water dilutes the 3% H2o2 solution to a 1% H2o2 solution.
Store in a sealed glass container. Pour out enough of the 1% H2o2 solution for
one treatment into a separate shot glass.
Now put add in a little borax until it won't dissolve any more and you're done.
Use an eye dropper to pour into Kitty's or Dogs ears. Throw the contents of the
shot glass away. If you need to re-administer, use the stored 1% H2o2 in the
same manner as above. Keep in mind, if it's more than a mth old, throw it out
and make a fresh batch of 1% H2o2.
Ted's Mange Cure
★★★★★
Ted's Mange Cure
★★★★★
Thanks a lot, Ted and everyone else here! nycandre
Thanks for the information! The Dr. Bronner soap has the lavender and tea tree oil that I always like. So its great you use it. The house should lightly be sprayed with some borax solution or sprinkled borax powder if possible to prevent reinfection. You can also use a small amount of borax, and sprinkle it like a talcum powder on the localized area. Not only the borax kills them, the powder also cause the insects to be suffocated. Those are optional.
(New Florence, Pa)
05/04/2015
Hey, what about dogs? I keep reading about cats but what about dogs?
EC: Please see Ted's mange cure for dogs here: https://www.earthclinic.com/pets/dog_mange_cure.html
Ted's Mange Cure
★★★★★
(New York, USA)
05/13/2008
★★★★★
Remedy for ear mites in cats: Borax and Peroxide -- YES! Just thinking in gratitude to Suzy whose reading got me started trying her remedy (and variations of, after many unsuccessful other attempts). My cat is now still mite free, though at times I have done a quick clean-up, especially when I see him scratch. From Suzy's post: (search for borax and hydrogen peroxide) "Thank goodness I made the association between ear mites in cats and mange in dogs and used Ted's wonderful mange cure. (My mixture was 2 parts apple cider vinegar, to 1 part hydrogen peroxide, and 1 part Borax; diluted in a gallon or so of water) And it worked like an absolute charm."
(Coventry, England)
06/04/2010
I run a canine hydrotherapy pool and have come into contact with thousands of dogs over many years.Every dog who has suffered ear mites i recommend Thornit Powder.I first discovered its miraculous powers when my dog Monty (SADLY NO LONGER ALIVE)had ear mites. I spent a fortune at the vets and still he woke me at night crying and scratching at his ear.I had previously heard of Thornit powder from a client and out of desperation, i tryed it. A tiny amount placed in the ear for 5 days and hey presto no more ear mites.It works like magic. Monty gained relief from the 1st application and when asked if he wanted Thornit would lie down of his own free will. Dogs are so clever at knowing what heals them. I have recommended this wonderful cure to hundreds of clients, who like myself, had wasted their money at the vets, and everyone has found blessed relief. Thornit also works for wet eczema,itching of the body and one of my clients even cured her rabbits mange. I don't know if this product is available in u.s.a.if your pet shop does not stock it, i may be able to help. I thank God for this ancient and miraculous cure.
(Roosevelt, Utah)
05/26/2015
(Armstrong, BC, Canada)
12/16/2015
Treating Feral Cats With Ear Mites
★★★★★
Trim Fur on Inside of Ears
★★★★★
Vaseline
★☆☆☆☆
(Seattle, Washington)
02/07/2010
Take your pet to the vet! Really, if your child were sick or crying with an ear infection would you be sitting here debating on online forum whether or not to go to the doctor? Honestly, I cannot believe the responses on this board. As a temporary measure to ease the pain and swelling, pick up a some ear drops (i.e. anything with vegetable glycerine, mullein, or plantain) until your vet's office opens and then GO DIRECTLY TO YOUR VET!!! Many veterinarians use homeopathic and herbal remedies as a complement to their year's of study, expertise and knowledge and scientifically founded treatments. You people are not qualified to gamble with your pet's health and wellbeing.
(Butternut, Wisconsin)
10/17/2011
Lady I don't know what you are talking about I have 14 cats Yes 14 used to be 10 until I found four abandoned little kittens that were loaded with mites so thick it was so hard it was like little rocks in there and when I put vegtable oil in there and loosened it they shook there heads and it sounded like gravel hitting the counter I had them on..... Now for the last 2 days with the vegetable oil its not as itchy and there a lot more relieved with there ears. If your the kind that run to the doctor every time your kid is sick you or your husband must have HUGE BILLS!!!! You try home remedies first they do work if you know what you are doing!!!
(Us)
08/05/2018