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WARNING!
I found a kitten approx. 4 weeks old in the beginning of Dec. I researched several home remedies since I could not afford a vet at that time. The kitten was very malnourished and very weak. His head and neck were covered with mange. His eyes, nose and ears crusty and waxy with the build-up of the little buggers. His body sparse with fur. My warning to any that attempt to help a kitten or puppy is keep them very warm during and after the bathing process. This is crucial to keeping them from getting sicker. Before I bathed him I covered him in diatomaceous earth since that seemed the safest thing for such a young weak kitten. After researching probable treatments, I decided to use apple cider vinegar, along with lice shampoo or a flea shampoo that kills chewing lice. Because of his age and weak state I opted to keep the shampoo on for only a few minutes, 5 or less, but while waiting for the shampoo to work I cover the kitten with a hand towel to keep the chill off him. Then rinse him with warm water that has diluted apple cider vinegar and lemon juice or lime juice to acidify his skin. (the mites don't like it, apparently) The first time I put apple cider on him I did not dilute it enough and it really hurt him. So please be careful. After rinsing him in this solution I would put a towel on him fresh out of the dryer or in my case I would turn the oven on to warm up the kitchen and keep the towel nice and warm. Dry them thoroughly then brush/scrub the skin with a soft toothbrush or something similar, this will loosen the waxy build-up or the mites. They love being brushed too, since they are so itchy. After that I would slather him up with castor oil or olive oil and then finally, put a fluffy sock over his body that I cut arm and leg holes out of. It fit perfectly and keeps him from biting himself, while keeping him nice and warm. Each day I would brush/scrub his fur(after brushing put the tool you used in a cup of apple cider vinegar to kill any mites that might be on it) and apply new oil to any area that seemed dry. The oil smothered them and soothed his irritated skin. He also had antibiotics and de-worming to fight what was going wrong on the inside of his little body. I have kept this treatment up each week, always keeping him warm, my socks don't really fit him anymore he has grown so much lol his fur is coming in very thick, he is still itchy but I continue to treat any sparse areas with oil. Also, I used Frontline Plus since you can use it on kittens 8wks old and it is supposed to kill the mites too. He tolerated it well at 8wks approx. The apple cider vinegar can be brushed (diluted always) in any trouble area and in his ears with cotton. I clean all his bedding and towels each bath and in between I would throw them in the dryer to help kill anything that may have hatched out between bathing. I am also using Vetericyn All Animal Hydrogel Spray that has boric acid and other helpful things. Its seems to help with the itching. I hope this helps, have a Blessed day!
