The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
I treated my stray female cat Trixie who had lost all of her fur from her waist to the tip of her tail (from mange) with organic apple cider vinegar. I diluted it to around 1 part ACV to 10 parts water then sprayed her body every other day within 2 days she had stopped itching and within 2 weeks new hair had started to grow back. Six weeks later she had the thickest shiny hair you have ever seen. My neighbours were shocked. 2 years later and still everything is OK. Better than anti-biotic and steroids and a huge vet bill.
I put a half teaspoonful of organic apple cider vinegar in my cat's water fountain every week to prevent cystitis which can be painful and costly.
You are correct in that only food grade DE ( never pool filter DE ) should be used with pets, livestock, or humans. But wrong for the reason you gave. There are no hazardous "chemicals" added to filter DE. Rather it has been heat treated to make the silica content more concentrated and more crystallized which means it is MUCH more hazardous if breathed in. Plus food grade DE has been tested to ensure that it does not contain heavy metals whereas that is not a consideration with filter grade DE.
Hello, I'm in desperate need of advice. Around here I'm the one people bring animals without anywhere to go...to. We ended up with a kitten around 6wks old with a bad case of scarcoptic mange. I've kept him separately however one of my cats got in with him without knowing. My 5 cats and 1 dog are on advantage and supposedly it helps keep it at bay who knows. Soo we bought ivermectin 1% injectable but I'm terrified to use it on the kitten and them....and obviously to treat all of them from the vet is out of my price range unfortunately. Does anyone know how much to dose such a small kitten and if it's safe for all them? Any suggestions would be awesome!
We have an indoor cat, Cotton, for 11 years no issues, One day I noticed she was itching ..going crazy biting her fur, licking herself over and over and just moping ... We checked with a magnifying glass for fleas, nothing off to the Vet . The Vet checked her with a nit comb and guess what a black flea! I actually refused to believe it so the Vet did it again and another flea. The vet also found she had an infected tooth which could make anyone go crazy. At my husband's work someone bought a puppy to his work a few times and I think he carried a flea home with him. Before taking her to the VET we had tried Apple cider Vinegar a couple days later we did hydrogen peroxides with borax, then the third day I tried sea salt nothing Then after the VET told us it was fleas, we used DE we saw the fastest quickest response with FOOD GRADE Diatomaceous Earth within an hour no more itching, biting her fur or licking or going crazy she was calm tranquil again ...her old self. We flea fogged our house washed all the throw rugs in hot water and sprinkle fine sea alt in all the places she likes to lay down problem solved and vacuumed and put sea salt in the vacuum bag to kill any flea or eggs from hatching again.
Real Sea Salt ( not that cheap useless, table salt) the salt from the sea, that is what you want it is amazing for skin disorder it drys and heal eczema even on people Sea salt mixed in water stops the itching instantly, I would use a tablespoon or two dilute it with water in two cups warm water and pour it on the skin instant relief. Sea salt also has antibiotic qualities
I also have 14 cats that I am caring for. Coincidentally too, I live in Florida, but we have no fire ants in my area. Question please. Where to you buy the D.E. and is what you use the food grade kind that you dust the cats with? My 3 indoor cats seem to be suffering from mites; not mange. The biting and scatching is awful.
Posted by Shanarose (Nmb, Florida) on 01/16/2017 ★★★★★
I care for rescued cats (a reluctant cat lady .... I currently have 14) and some of these have come to me on the verge - suffering from mange and scabies .... since discovering diatomaceous earth some years back for fire ants (i am severely allergic to fire ant bites and DE kills them within hours) I found that if I rub a very small amount of DE (wear surgical gloves) on the mange area a few times a day ... within a few days the mange starts to clear and scabs start to form .... I have a cat who came here looking like he was burnt .... it was a severe case of mange ... within a month his hair had started to come back and today (two years later) he is a fluffy stunner .... all due to diatomaceous earth .... only put it on the target areas of the mange .... don't get it into their eyes ..... rub it on dry like a powder ..... don't get it wet ..... good luck and God bless ...
How do you keep your cat from ingesting the DE since it is not considered food grade? I have 4 cats and they all seem to be infested with demondex mange. I need to find a cure to stop their itching and get a handle. I can rub the DE on them or comb it through but I am afraid of cross grooming or self grooming and ot becoming toxic. Thank you.
I am treating a poor little kitty I rescued that has mange. I wouldn't for a second trade the care I have to give him. He gets better everyday. I absolutely disagree with your statement. But, hey, taking care of the helpless isn't for everyone.
Posted by Jj (Crystal River, Florida) on 12/03/2016 ★★★★★
Ivomec cured a stray's mange. Cat had severe mange over entire body, eyes were scabbed over to the point I was sure it would die if something wasn't done it basically was laying down barely moving. I thought what do I have to lose, it will die if something isn't done.(I had tried for weeks to trap it...was not going to happen.)
Spoke to a holistic vets secretary who didn't know the amount of ivomec but suggested as a last ditch effort. She said it was bitter and to mix it with small, quarter size amount of molasses. Looked online. I used approx. two drops 10lb cat (powerful stuff) mixed with can of fish cat food and it ate it up. It hid under barn and I didn't see the cat again for a couple weeks (it use to eat around the neighborhood) When it showed up it was beautiful! Couldn't believe it. Read to dose again in one month, I did, cats doing great. This would be great for ear mites, if your unable to get or handle cat. Ivomec is found in feed stores, I use to use it for heartworms for my dogs. A little expensive so buy an expiration date way in the future. Might even ask online, maybe craigs list, if someone using it for dogs can spare a small amount put in a syringe for later. If you manage a large feral cat population this could be very handy and save a few cats.
You can buy DE at hardware stores like Ace, or at garden centers/nurseries, you don't have to search for a feed store- unless you happen to live in a place where those are common.
EC: 20 Borax refers to the brand commonly used - 20 Mule Team Borax.
Ted's Mange Cure Recipe:
Mix together 2 cups hydrogen peroxide, 4 cups warm water and 3 heaping tablespoons of borax. Use the solution to bathe your cat twice a week. Allow the solution to air dry on your cat.
Here is a site that may be of some help to you. Also, October 16 is National Feral Cat Day here in the U.S. http://www.alleycat.org/community-cat-care/
I, by no means, am an expert, so I am not going to "attack" you like a couple of the comments in this thread & then show compassion by advice...lol. I think it is great that you are wanting to help an unfortunate angel that was the result of someone else' irresponsibility in the first place. For goodness sake, it isn't your fault that the poor kitty doesn't have a home. And I don't believe in taking animals to the vet to "put them in the food chain", sorry. Not very nice of anyone to ever suggest that.
I would assume that the kitty is friendly & just in need of a little help, which, apparently some PEOPLE never are. If that isn'tthe case, you can, sometimes, rent a trap for less than $10 for a few days @ a local vet.
If you need to care for the kitty's eyes, I might suggest that you use an old bath towel & wrap it up in it, so you still have access to her head, but don't have to worry about your safety as much. Sit here on your lap & do what you need to. I have 3 cats & I do almost everything to them this way. (ie: clean their ears, syringe feed one of them, etc.) I had 2 before that were afraid of water, despite giving them baths in the sink when they were younger. The 3 I have, I can sit in the bath tub & they'll stay on my lap as I use a shower sprayer on them, or I bathe them in the sink. The other 2, I took a few bath towels & laid them on the floor in the bathroom (w/ the door closed) & filled 2 1-gal. pitchers full of warm water & gave them baths on the floor w/ soppy wet wash cloths. You could also do this while the cat is in the towel on your lap, if the towel is fairly thin. Just make sure it gets rinsed well (the kitty).
Cats have a way of trusting you fairly quickly once they realize that you are being compassionate & helping them. Especially after they start reaping the benefits of your care. So, she should get easier to work w/ fairly soon.
I am not sure what you chose to do, but am glad to hear that you wanted to help this angel & wanted to mention just a few cheap things that you can do, which is good for ANY kitty. If ever they are put on anti-biotics, they should always be given pro-biotics. As the anti-biotics will weaken the immune system. This costs less than $2, depending on where you shop. You can pick up some Chobani Greek yogurt, as it has live cultures in it. It is only a dollar @ Walmart, so it shouldn't be much more @ a grocery store. And it is only a serving size like a person would eat in one sitting. You can freeze it into smaller portions in your freezer. I use ice cube trays & put plastic wrap over the top. Then transfer into freezer baggies. You can give them human pro-biotics, if you choose to. The Lacto bacillus is the one that makes yogurt need to be refrigerated. But, if it is in poder form, it just determines the life of the product. If you get it in capsule form, just open the capsule. Colostrum is also really good for the immune system also. It is also inexpensive too. You can get a travel size through Sovereign Labs for approx. $13. (It is what is in the mother's milk). A bath is great for them to not only help to heal the skin, but to help remove toxins that the body is trying to flush out & will also keep their kidneys from having to filter out toxins from the environment & the ailment. Human grade DE (diatomaceous earth) is also good for parasite removal. Just keep it out of their eyes & nose. If they lick it, it is fine, as it can be taken internally. Also, if you were to have the cat tested, they may scrape the skin & it turn out neg. because they have already ingested the mites that are causing the mange. There is a mange mite that naturally lives in the hair follice also. Most coconut oil turns to an oily substance after a certain temp., but there is also one that stays a liquid. Nutrition is the key to good health, so if you can provide a decent quality food for her, that is a good thing. To help her immune system better itself is equally important. And if she develops any potty problems, give her organic pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling). It goes both ways! For diarrhea or constipation. (Make sure you freeze it in smaller amounts after you open the can because it will spoil in less than a few days in the fridge.) You can get organic pumpkin in a BPA free can for $2 @ a grocery store. Organic is always better & not always more expensive.
I hope that some of tips help you if you are still in need or for another feral, or for anyone else who reads this. Thank you for loving the ferals. They are just as precious as the ones inside!
For safe flea eradication: at night, I put lids with plain water scattered throughout the house, contain my dogs...in the morning dispose of fleas down the toilet, rinse lids and reuse until no more fleas.😄
Pets are family members and should be cared for with love and respect. Please disregard those who prefer to kill rather than Help. There is much good advice here if one is not to lazy to give it a good try.
It would be more merciful to take the cat the your local shelter. A fast death if it isn't adopted is far kinder than leaving it to suffer for who knows how long.
YES, indeed - - tea tree oil can shut down the kidneys in cats, maybe not after one time exposure or maybe not after a couple of weeks of one exposure, but it does do its dastardly deed!
Be careful with DE (diatomaceous earth) for treating skin disease or in any other manner - - you should not breath in the dust because it can cause lung damage and disease.
Posted by Pet Guru At Dream Regime To Clear Eyes (Ny, Ny) on 08/10/2016
DO NOT PLAY DOCTOR with mange or mites. Please imagine it is YOU and you feel scabs and itch. Many people think they know holistic meds and so they can do without a doctor. Don't you think holistic treatment is best done when you know what the hell is wrong with the cat? It may look like mites to you, but it could be mange and it could look like mange but it could be an all different type of yeast infection combined with severe internal infection etc.
FIRST always take the animal to a vet, do a cbc simple blood work and KNOW what is wrong. Then you can chose holistic or western. Personally when an infection is involved, use the western doc's advice, then when the animal is stable you can continue with a holistic treatment.
For example if your cat is given antibiotics - which usually LOWER the immune system - at the same time you can also feed your pet grain free food so the body doesn't have to fight off trash chemicals too, and you can give your cat or dog 1/2 of lysine, a pure type that is not coated and only one pill a day. Natural meds for scabs or light mites Zymox works, but with this you MUST use a cloud collar or a cone collar so the pet doesn't lick itself, because it will so for an alley cat this is not an option.
You first try to trap, which can only be done once or the cat will never trust a human, so learn HOW TO. Once you trap the cat, take it to the vet, then buy a dog kennel set up a litter box, a hammock and administer meds until the mange is gone. This will take a couple of weeks so by then the cat could be tame enough for you to take some nice photos and adopt it into a good home.
CHARGE AN ADOPTION FEE this way you assure the next person she lives with values her enough to take good care of her and you can use the fee to help another stray. As for light skin conditions, you may want to shave the animal, prepare a nice oatmeal bath - you can buy some on Amazon - then dip the pet into that. If the animal hates baths you can eater hold the pet and use a cup to get it wet with the oatmeal water or you can take the pet to a vet and have them put her/him under so the skin can be treated in cases of animals who truly are not well behaved. Most of the time an animal's skin itches and hurts so much they love the bath. Afterwards you can get some pure ( ok to be used as medicinal ) and be sure to check it's UNREFINED coconut oil. It has a ton of healing properties and you can apply it directly into wounds and scabs and it will heal the skin. Pets also love the taste so you can give them a spoon daily which will help keep the insides clean.
If you see mites around the eyes, do not apply anything that contains any chemicals close to the eye - AND ALWAYS KEEP ANIMALS IN CONES - cloud or medical cone, but I like cloud, b/c they can sleep with them - the only thing you can do for the eyes is boil some pure lose leaf chamomile tea, strain it so there are no suds, wait until it is ROOM TEMPERATURE and use some surgical non stick pads to wet them and apply onto the eye. If you can cotton pads they are even better. Soak them, apply the water to the eye area - DO NOT SCRUB - only dab and hold in place. Do this each day. It's great on cuts, it's great a few weeks after an operation when your animal is healing and you need to clean the wound. You can apply coconut oil around the eye. I've even put it inside my own eye, it's fine. Keep them in clean bedding and clean from touching or licking themselves. Get the cloud. With strays, first catch them, get them to a vet, set up a dog kennel, treat them each day.
Posted by Keycat (Salinas, California) on 07/16/2016
Cat Mange Passed to Me..
I'm so happy I found this site- super informative! I just gave my cat her first treatment of Teds recipie and it seemed to go really well. I now have it. Agh! Very irritating that not only my kitty has this issue but I'm living it with her.
Are there any remedies that can be suggested for myself to bath in? Also, my only other questions were in regards to measurements and amount of applications. The stories shared were great but I couldn't find any exact recipe with an "after care" and a "how to" all in one.??
My questions were - 1. How much solution(of teds) should I be applying? 2. Do I rinse it off after I let her sit with it for twenty/thirty minutes? 3. How long after her first treatment should I give her another? 4. What can I clean her bedding with? (And my bedding) 5. Are there any suggestions for bathing myself? (Other than seeing my primary care of course) thank you to all who posted and helped inform others about these remedies. I've been to numerous vets and mostly end up paying a fortune and not getting very good care.
For eye infections for my cats, I brew a cup of regular lipton tea, remove the wet teabag until just warm then put on my cats eye while squeezing the tea bag so liquid gets around/in the eye.
Posted by Sally (Rochester, Ny) on 07/01/2016 ★★★★★
Sally's Cat Mange Cure:
We had a stray cat that we made friends with, who would just come hang out with us when we'd sit outside. One day his coat started to turn orange (he was black) and the fur started falling out. Under it I could see that he had an itchy painful rash. I was pretty sure it was mange, so I read up on it and invented the following cure.
I mixed together equal parts sea salt (has to be sea salt, not iodized) hydrogen peroxide, and extra virgin olive oil, mixed it up, and, with a plastic glove gooped it on his infected areas. He was a sometimes skittish cat, but he still let me smooth it on these painful areas, which suggested to me that it felt ok on his skin. I kid you not, the very next day, the sores were healing up, and within 2 days, his fur was growing back. I'd say within 2 weeks his fur was pretty much back to normal. It was great to see him comfortable again, as he was a complete cutie.
Not sure if EVO, sea salt or h2o2 are ok for dogs, but it works amazingly for cats. Plus it seems comfortable, rather than painful for them to have it put on them. I'm thinking he licked it a little, and also ingested, the concoction. As a side note, if a cat has worms, if you mix a little loose, raw tobacco in his food, it eliminates the worms quickly, and harmlessly.
Thanks you all who took the time to write your experience my cat and I picked up mites at our motor home we have in the the desert I have been using DE it on us but wasn't sure if it was enough. I dump out my" baby powder" and filled the clean container with DE. My whole house has a dust layer of DE. I have been cleaning. Then dusting with DE. I going to be getting a kitten I want to make sure my home is ok for the new guy
Hi Becky, I read how you cured your cat. Great!! My daughter rescued a kitten and he has manage. How long did it take for your kitten to get well... :( I'm just so upset, I am not sure if what I have tried is working. I did apple cider Oil 3-days.
Hey, anyway you can get it on the cat the better. You need to get creative sometimes. I am going to try this for the first time. Never once could we bathe any of our cats. They win every time. Can only hope this will work. She and I are miserable.
You can help the poor feral cat by call the vet in your area and asking for information on TNR program. They will trap him and spay/ neuter and treat him for the mange. Give them a call they will help!
Glad to find this site, and to be reminded of just how effective DE can be. I particularly like that idea of filling a sock as an applicator ~ perfect! I'll put DE and apple cider vinegar to the test with Jake's mange. Thanks to all who have contributed here.
I have noticed that Advantage is not working as well as when I started using it. I have had the same experience with Revolution and Frontline. My friend told me to alternate each month. I freakin hate fleas and the area where I now live is, evidently, the world flea capital.
I just inherited a poor kitten that had a serious case of mange from some people who didn't know much about cats. The poor wee thing had been suffering for more than a year. I tried a few things but she wasn't comfortable with them. Tonight I washed her head gently with apple cider vinegar and then put a soothing polysporin anti-itch on her and for the first time her little body completely relaxed. I will keep up this treatment and report on its success or failure. Thanks to this site for recommending the apple cider vinegar.
The question was asked by Bob, Revere, Mass.: "Can I use the diatomaceous earth for my swimming pool filter for my cat's mange?"
'The answer to that question is NO!!! Swimming pool diatomaceous earth contains chemicals that are TOXIC TO CATS! The cat will lick its fur and ingest the poison!
Instead, for cats and other animals, you must use FOOD GRADE diatomaceous earth, which you can find on Amazon and other online retailers.
I have a question. Would these remedies help an alley cat? There is an alley cat who has mange and seems to have an eye infection possibly going blind. I feel so very sorry for the poor cat but I haven't the funds to take him to the vet. Any advice will be appreciated and helpful. Thank you in advance.
My cat is large, 40 inches nose to tail tip and 20 lbs.. When I bathe him I wear an old sweatsuit.. Assemble everything needed, put warm water in the tub and lock the door.. Then I hold him and climb into the tub with him.. It's messy but it's the only way I can handle him.. He goes out in the rain but hates the warm water..
Posted by Robin Conkel-hannan (Kentucky) on 02/14/2016
From what I've been told, wet DE is not effective.. Not sure of my cat's condition but I've tried several things.. Started DE this morning.. It's supposed to kill all hard shelled bugs.. It works wonders.. I was overrun with ants, like living in an ant hill.. It took a year and a half but finally cut them down to a normal infestation.. Works on roaches too.. Unfortunately it doesn't seen to affect spiders..
Thanks.. Been using coconut oil and it helped with the scabs and raw skin but didn't cure it.. It's good for healing.. Don't know how the two will mix so decided to stop oil while testing with DE..
I bathed one cat's excoriated tummy with castille soap. It worked great! But then, I have to do this weekly. Another cat we've been giving vet-prescribed allergy pills, but...I think mange is the issue, not allergies. So I will try the ACV in her water. I also am giving her a tsp of yogurt daily now. This cat has been driven CRAZY by her skin condition. Taking her to the vet is not going to help, I've concluded. I have DE; DE doesn't work too well for fleas in one experiment I did: I put DE power in a floor tray and covered with a screen. Fleas do jump in, but they breed like crazy. I dump it out the window, with hundreds of baby fleas. I have had zero success with Frontline for the past two years. I called the mfr about it and was told that I was "not using it correctly". This is why people are switching to Advantage. I wonder if fleas are also becoming Advantage-resistant?
Posted by Milena K. (Sofia, Bulgaria) on 12/05/2015
Thank you, guys, for all the information concerning DE. I hadn't heard of it before I started looking for natural remedies for my cats. As I searched for it on the internet and read the description and uses of the product, I was astonished at how many benefits it can bring to your health and that of your pets! I'm definitely going to try it!
Hello-~Help, at wits end! I applied DE all over my two indoor (kitten and cats fur) a few hours ago. Is it common for them to twitch, cry and scratch more??? How long does it take to kill these fleas from them? I also applied Frontline Plus two weeks ago but they still have bad fleas! I sprinkled DE on carpet and my comforter also (hope it's ok on the bed I have electric blanket beneath comforter). Thanks!
Posted by Susie (Grand Prairie Texas) on 11/23/2015
20 Mule Team Borax with peroxide works great for Sarcoptic Mange and so does Doc BENS Cedar Oil. We got Sarcoptic Mange from a puppy and struggled with this for over a year. We have also used Dr. scabies and Diatomateous Earth. This is a very contagious parasite problem. Must keep beds sheets, blankets, pillows, and clothes washed and dried at very hot heat EVERY DAY WE SPRAY THE HOUSE WITH CEDAR Oil.
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
You will need to clean the whole house, top to bottom and pay particular attention to your bedding and your cat's bedding.
I have to tell you that if this were my cat I would cut out the Frontline completely. I suggest you cease spending your money on topical poisons and instead use a flea comb and comb your cat for fleas, and also use a lamp trap to capture any fleas in your home.
A lamp trap is just that - a small desk lamp you put on the floor. Then put a plate of soapy water under it - I use dish soap and a white plate for better reflection of the light, plus you can see what you catch easier. Turn the lamp on and go to bed, and see what you catch in the morning. This is a super cheap way to catch fleas and stop an infestation.
Now, it sounds like you have had the scabies diagnosed via your human MD and not a vet via your cat. The species of scabies mite that lives on your cat transfers with close, prolonged contact. So if your cat sleeps on you while you watch TV, the mite can transfer to you. Cat scabies mites cannot reproduce on humans, and it is very unlikely you can infect another person: the infection happens when you have close contact with your infected cat, and perhaps your cat's infected bedding - so if your cat sleeps on the couch, there is a small chance your couch may infect a human.
If you have already invested in DE then I would first vacuum everything - floors and furniture and then go to town with the DE. It helps to establish a 'clean room' - a room that you disinfect or de-flea and de-mite in advance of tackling the whole house. Get one room as sterile as possible, usually your bedroom, so you have a place at the end of the day that is pest free to retire.
I start by a thorough vacuuming and then I wear a dust mask and gently spread the DE on the floor and work it slowly with a broom into all the floor board cracks. If you have carpeting you might consider a sugar sifter or flour sifter and use that to cover the entire carpet with a powdering of the DE. I then work the DE deep into the carpet fibers so it gets to the bottom - I do this on hands and knees and work with my fingers or a stiff brush. And then once the carpet is done I do the same to the furniture and work the DE deep into the fibers.
Now, the DE is not safe for electronics with moving parts so you might want to have things like your DVD player and TV in your safe room. I then leave the DE in place for 2-3 days. Then I vacuum LIGHTLY. The key is to get the loose DE from the surface of the carpet and furniture but do not vacuum so thoroughly you remove the DE that you worked so hard to get into the base of the carpet - you want to leave a nice residual base of DE in the carpet and furniture to take care of any pests that escaped the vacuum or the ones that may hatch out next week.
Dusting with DE is a pain and a lot of work, and your vacuum cleaner may die due to the abrasive nature of the dust, but this type of treatment will last YEARS - as long as you vacuum gently to allow the DE to remain at the base of the carpet fibers.
Now, to combat the mites and fleas on the cat you can also use DE and work it down to the skin. My cat just shakes off the excess and leaves a cloud behind and doesn't stick around to inhale it. You might find it beneficial to soak your cat in a diluted vinegar rinse - 1 part white vinegar to 10 parts water and see if this helps with the itching.
You might consider Ted's Mange remedy for your scabies. Report back if you cannot get rid of the scabies yourself.
I read in your post that you added tea tree oil to the treatment. I have read that tea tree oil is toxic to cats so please look into that. I am glad that your cat is doing better.
I contracted scabbies from my cat Mugsy who I thought was just allergic to fleas until I broke out in a rash. The medicine Permethrin the Doctor prescribed me is lethal to cats. Once I treat her with DE then me with the presribed med.. Will I need to do anything to bedding clothing furniture etc. to keep them from coming back? If so.. can I sprinkle this DE powder on stuff? The "Red Lake" has bentonite and is not safe for human consumption. Does that mean that humans can't ingest it? Or come in contact with it period?
Also.. She's had this for many months. The only reason I finally got them is.. I was a week behind on getting her Frontline flea medicine because I'm on disability and had no money. I felt horrible because she was scratching so profusely.. so I held her and was scratching her bumps myself with my fingernails! Lastly can another human catch them from me? I know they're not easy to catch from a feline since she's had this for over a year and I've never caught it from her and I hold her and pet her all the time.
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
You still could be dealing with fleas, particularly at this time of year when it gets cold outside and the fleas will jump on your cat to get a ride to a warmer place. You might consider setting up a simple lamp trap to see if you catch fleas; the lamp trap is inexpensive and effective at removing fleas from the environment/chair. As for how often to dust your cat, I would dust her down to the skin every 3 days or so, taking care that she did not inhale it.
Hi! Please only use food grade diatomaceous earth on your pets. Search "food grade diatomaceous earth" on amazon.com and read reviews to find a good brand.
On using DE: I bought some from our local Orscheln store to treat my cat, but I was wanting to know, how often should I retreat her? She was fairly cooperative putting it on her, thankfully. I'd been treating her for fleas, thinking that was the problem, until I started getting bites on my legs. Her favorite place to be is on the leg rest of my recliner when it's open... I am on a fixed income, so taking her to the vet would mean not paying one of my regular bills, so I did a search for some other options and found this page.
I have cured upper respiratory infections in kittens whose eyes were so infected that the eyelids would be glued shut with dried pus when they awakened from a nap, and they could barely breath. I just used regular eyedrops to flush out the eyes so they could see, and gave them the following vitamins for about a week; Vit C, Vit E, Cod Liver Oil. I would add Vit D3 to that list if I had to deal with it again, and maybe some collodial silver, which can also be used in the eyes. (Have used it in my own eyes to make sure it would be OK. Sovereign Silver is the brand I have used).
Try to get the Vit C in gel cap form for better digestion, around 500 mg should be about right, but I have used 1000 mg with no problem. Vit E should be around 400 IU and D3 can be 2-5000 IU. All vits should be Natural, not synthetic, as synthetic Vits can be toxic, and the ones I used were made for humans, not pets. Give them to them however you can get them to swallow them, daily or every other day until they get better, and if the symptoms ever return just do it again. Hope this helps.
Mange in cats- Diatomaceous Earth IS THE BOMB - I put it all over my cat's body and he hasn't scratched, pulled or chewed himself since... amazing stuff and great for a multitude of things for humans and animals and gardens- you have to try it!!!
Posted by Rhonda (Grants Pass, Oregon ) on 10/05/2015
Came across your subject of mange treatment when I was searching on how to help a kitten that is vomiting several times in one day. I care & feed about 35+ feral cats & my three indoor cats was scratching excessively, even after their monthly flea & tick treatment? With a fixed income I have not been able to take any of them to the vet, so I started researching the symptoms. The results match Notoedric the closes. I put DE in their food but if this works I will be so thankful. Any further suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Over my head with this many.
If you decide to treat with DE, which is very helpful (my cat is already looking better with one treatment), make sure it is FOOD GRADE DE or Diatomaceous Earth.
DE that is not food grade has poisons as it used to clean pools and has additives.
Food grade DE has multiple uses for many natural remedies. I recommend treating most animals with it (even humans) as it is a non-chemical killer of microscopic worms in the intestines. Great stuff.
Will look up Ted's remedy, thank you. I wanted to add that I have read multiple cat remedy posts on this site and it seems to be that tea tree oil should Not be used on cats. Maybe check into this?
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
It sounds like kitten cradle cap/pyoderma. Make sure the baby is clean and in clean bedding; use an antibacterial shampoo or hand soap and follow up with a diluted vinegar rinse - 1 part vinegar to 10 parts warm water to balance the PH of the skin after the bath. And make sure you potty manually as kittens this young cannot go potty on their own.
It sounds to me like your cat doesn 't have mange, but ringworm instead. Let me tell you about my experiences. I have been working to try spay/neuter and maintain a few local colonies of cats in our little suburb. I have made quite a few friends in the rescue business and have rescued a few kittens of our own (about 13 to be exact! ). The first set we rescued had missing fur and what looked like "burnt" skin on about 1/3 of their little 4 week old bodies. After quite a few hundred bucks, we found out they had ringworm. Ringworm is not like it's name. There are no worms involved and no it doesn 't show in the shape of a worm. Ringworm is a type of fungus that preys on animals with a weak immune system (ferals/kittens, etc). We had to shampoo and lyme dip them once a week, using a soft bristle toothbrush to scrub the "burnt/scabby" skin off. In large spots it literally "slides" off the infected area *YUCK! *
Anyway, later we had a neighbor whose dog got sarcoptic mange. She is a hoarder and cannot afford vet visits. So, we did a little research for her and found the DE was a natural treatment that wouldn 't harm the cats either, plus she didn 't need a prescription or vet visit. She tried it for weeks, but it didn't help. We finally decided to help her out and pay for her visit to the vet so she could get revolution to treat the mange, however she had also contracted it (it's zoonotic). Her granddaughter spends a lot of time over here with my daughter and we were afraid of it being brought over here. So, I did more research and found that NEEM oil is a great pesticide and can be used safely around cats, dogs, and humans! You can even use it on your garden vegetables!
Online they have neem oil formulas for garden and yard spray, lice treatment, as well as treatment/preventative for mange. If your cat truly has mange, don't expect it to work right away, but you'll definitely see a difference after a week or two. I've made creams (easy because neem and coconut oil are solid at room temperature), lice shampoo, bodywash treatment, and garden spray. It worked for us!
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
I must respectfully disagree with your comment on DE not working when wet. DE is a mechanicide; it works by causing wear or cutting holes in an insects chitinous exoskeleton, which causes them to bleed out and dehydrate. While it is easier to spread and use while dry and in powder form, it still works when wet. Only consider broken glass will still cut when wet; ground glass will still cut when wet. It is the same principle with DE; it still cuts when wet.
Diatomaceous Earth is only effective as a powder. Once it's wet, it's done. So you powder your cat with it. A little bit rubbed down to the skin at a time. It's very dusty so outside is a good idea. And your poor cat will inhale so do everything slowly. It's very messy but effective. I wipe my cats eyes with a wet paper towel afterward. DE is basically powdered fossil shells--mostly silica. It cuts up the little critters like mites and fleas. Make sure to get "food grade" DE because kitty will lick some of it off.
Hi Pearlie, I'm to my last end. I tried Lime sulfur dip, sulfinex, sulfur powder mixed with Vaseline, and all they do was irritate my cat's skin. He seems to be in pain and misery when I use these products on him. I read about this DE product and it comes in dust form. I came across your post and I was just amazed how great you are with these cats. You are a beautiful person for helping out these poor cats. Do you mix the DE with some type of liquid before rubbing it onto the affected areas? Please please help me. I cannot bare to see my cat goes through this any longer and everyone kept on telling me to put him to sleep so he won't be in misery any longer. I am hoping to hear from you soon. Thank you
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
Mange is rare in cats; if your cat is an adult who is frequently out doors it is possible your cat has contracted sarcoptic mange, which is transmissible to humans. I urge you to take your cat to a vet for a proper diagnosis as if your cat does indeed have sarcoptic mange you will need to take steps to avoid contracting it yourself.
That said, for the amount of borax, you add enough borax to that it stops dissolving. So for example you would take 1 cup of peroxide, along with 2 cups of water, and then start with 1 cup of borax and gradually stir in the borax into the solution to the point that it stops melting and you find grains swirling around. This is called a 'saturated' solution, where the liquid contains so much borax it can no longer dissolve. When you have a saturated solution you have the proper amount.
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
My thoughts are: when you hear a stampede think cattle- not zebras!
Meaning: mange is uncommon to rare in cats, you are more likely dealing with a heavy flea infestation in your farm cat. You certainly could sprinkle the DE in the sleeping area, but to be most effective you should apply to the cat and work the DE down to the skin.
Not sure how viable this option would be for you, but you can make a simple flea trap with a small desk lamp, dish soapy water and a white plate. You put the lamp on the floor/in the sleeping area and put the plate of soapy water under neath the bulb - turn it on at night and check in the morning. This is an effective way to remove fleas from the environment.
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
I have an farm cat with mange and I want to use DE.... I don't think I can catch him to dust him with DE but could I put it in his bedding where he sleeps? He would be laying in it and hopefully dusting himself with it... Thoughts?
Hi, to whom it may concern, I took in a female stray (winter time), have a big heart. Low and behold, she was pregnant, OMG!! Out came 5, yes 5 baby kitties!! Fast forward, 9 month, still have the kitties (long story - husband in near fatal auto accident), also foster mom. Getting to my point... a time or two one of the males have slipped out, wondering if he brought this wonderful bug home! Just don't have the money to treat my 6 cats. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!!
Hi, I have used Ted's mange cure on one cat with good results and just had to repeat once more. But it did not contain the H202. However she's fine now and I dust her once in a while with DE. That is right for her type of coat.
Is Ted's mange cure safe for use on cats? I have both dogs and cats that I would like to try this on but know cats are sensitive to things that dogs are not. Thank-you!
First & most importantly : usually an AGRICULTURAL Veterinarian will be much more aware of how to ID & treat mites on domestic & farm animals; heck, FARMERS have been dealing with this forever! And THE ABSOLUTELY SAFEST AND MOST EFFICACEOUS TREATMENT FOR MITES IS DIATOMACEOUS EARTH. Animals will themselves resort to this type remedy, I.e., they take dust baths! This is true for any animal except bees (sadly) and others with exoskeletons. Make friends with your local farmers' supply store - they know how to help and what will NOT work. Don't put your cat or yourself through the torture of sulfur-dips/borax/vinegar/oral drugs/ e-collars. Just put yer DE in a sock or stocking, and powder down yer furry friends. And that hint for a way to apply it came from the cashier at my local tractor-supply-co; her dog would take off if he saw her with a handful of the DE. The type of DE called 'Red Lake', with bentonite, will work fine too, but is not approved for Human consumption.
When I finally realized what was bothering my cat, Orlando, wasn't his "nerves" (the Prozac the Vet Rx'd only calmed him down), but was mange, I made the rounds of all the 'Online Vet/md' sites. There I was helped greatly in figuring out just which mite was attacking him. But the fact that their ONLY treatments were lime-sulfur baths(for CATS! ?) or Off-Label use of drugs known to be either toxic or fatal to felines, made me skeptical. So I put the word 'natural' into my search terms and happily landed ~here~ at earthclinic.
Hello, Judy. My cats have mange too. I use DE, dusting the coat and KLEEN GREEN enzyme spray. It has to be followed up for a while.
If you can keep your kitty very warm for the time to dry after a bath, Ted's remedy for mange on EC works very well. For me, it is the onset of winter and I am using the enzyme and DE, with daily grooming and wiping with ACV. The borax treatment needs the pet to keep wet till dry. Not very practical for me in the cold season. In a liter of drinking water I use 1/8th tsp. Borax and 1/4 tsp. of baking soda to be of further help. All is recorded on EC. It is necessary to inspect the ears.
There is a large body of evidence indicating borax is toxic to cats, particularly kittens. Inflamed skin on cats, kittens, and even humans, can be soothed and treated with camomile tea (gently dab a used tea bag which has cooled down to room temperature). And Fossil Shell Flour, also known as diatomaceous earth, or diluted apple cider vinegar are much better, safer options. Hydrogen peroxide is not advisable, as it would sting and aggravate inflamed skin.
I have an outside male cat who began having lesions that I first thought were ring worm. After treating him with Clotrimazole USP 1% for a couple weeks with no apparent results, I began searching and found the recipe for mange: 1 part 3% hydrogen peroxide to two parts water and 20 Mule team Borax shaken into solution. I treated him with this solution every other day allowing the solution to air dry on him. My pharmacist son also suggested I crush half a 10 mg cetirizine and feed it to him concealed in salmon. It has been approximately a week and he has responded extremely well to these treatments. He only has one tiny spot about the size of a pin prick on his forefoot. I will say he is not much of a self groomer, so allowing the solution to air dry on him has not caused him any ill effects that I can discern except to lighten his fur a little. (I always use disposable gloves when treating or touching him- - -even though the lesions are now gone.) Also someone in the posts above interchanged boric acid with borax. Please don't use boric acid. Borax and Boric Acid are not the same. Boric acid is extremely toxic. Borax is a salt, although toxic, it is not the poison that boric acid is.
Posted by Pearlie (North Miami Beach, Florida) on 05/26/2014 ★★★★★
Recently a cat that was covered in mange found our house. I feed cats and this cat looked like someone had burnt him with chemicals. I never saw anything so pathetic. He could hardly walk and his ears were covered with thick grey crusts that I thought were burnt skin. I decided to look at skin conditions on cats and discovered he had a severe case of mange. I had food grade diatomaceous earth in the house that I have as a dewormer for my other cats. It was somewhat effective, but being that it kills all types of insects, I decided to try it topically on this new stray. I put one of my gardening gloves on and put some of the DE on the finger tips of the glove and worked that into the sores and crusts on the cat (this poor thing is such a sweety ... he loves to be scratched, even though I cannot touch him without a glove).
I wish I could show you pictures on what he looked like after just a few days. gone were the grey crusts, and all what looked like thick chemically burnt skin turned to clean skin. it was shocking. I am still rubbing the DE on him, as he just came by about 2 weeks ago, but he is definitely a new cat. My kids think I am some kind of a 'cat whisperer' .... all I am is someone who did research on cat mange and discovered diatomaceous earth cures it .....
Apple cyder vinegar is one of natures miracle remedies. I myself use it as a toner and drink it with my water. You can't believe the difference it makes to your complection and energy levels. For pets with mange you can ad a spoon or two to their food or water which ever works best for your animal. I also wipe my cat down with a washcloth once a week soaked in water and ACV. It works like magic and so good for them.
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
Borax is sodium tetraborate. That should be the *only* ingredient you should see listed on the box of whatever brand of borax you find.
Sodium tetraborate is a naturally occurring mineral that has the same toxicity as table salt. I've given many a dog and puppy a borax bath and its been splashed in my face and doesn't sting my eyes, nor has it been harsh on the skin - mine included.
Kat from Western Australia, could you please tell me what brand of borax you used on your cat because my borax says to immediately wash off skin. Thanks
Posted by Kat (Fremantle Western Australia) on 02/16/2014 ★★★★★
Just been using Ted Mange Remedy that I added a dash of tea tree oil to for good luck. My 16 year old burmeseX has been plagued with mange every summer for half his life. I take him to the vet once a year at that time and he gets a jab for infection plus a cortizone one, they worked to a small degree. This year his mange is rampant over whole body, his skin like chronic exema. I have used Ted's remedy 3 times over the last couple of weeks. The improvement is amazing even in such a short space of time. The first time I sprayed it on using a spray bottle, the second time I tried tipping over in sink and third time just using a small face cloth soaked in solution on the bathroom floor next to drain hole. It seemed the easiest method to date. My cat is savage even in his debilitated state. I recommend this treatment.
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
You can get plain, regular Borax in most any grocery store laundry aisle. It helps to clip your cat's claws before heading to the tub!
Try this to make enough solution to treat your cat for mites:
You will need:
1 brown bottle of hydrogen peroxide from the grocery store [its a 16 oz bottle of a 3% solution]
1 box Borax from the laundry aisle [unscented]
1 gallon jug - clean, empty [to be used to mix up the solution]
32 ounces of pure filtered or distilled water
Method:
Pour the bottle of hydrogen peroxide in to the empty jug and add 32 ounces [or two of the now empty brown peroxide bottle filled up twice] of filtered tap water or distilled water. This gives you 48 ounces of a 1% hydrogen peroxide solution that is needed for the next step.
Next add 1 cup of borax crystals to the jug and shake. There should be undisolved grains of borax in the mix - this is what you want to see. Now you have a jug of cold solution. Next fill your bath tub with hot water and rest the jug in the tub; when the tub water has cooled enough to make a nice cozy warm bath for your cat, the solution inside the jug will also be nice and warm. Next, bathe your cat in regular kitty shampoo and then rinse well. Then drain out all the soapy bath water and plug up the tub again. Now pour the grainy solution over your cat. It will help to use a plastic cup to scoop up the solution from the bottom of the tub so you can keep pouring the solution over her again and again and again - make sure you get the head and ears; use a wash cloth to apply to the head and face. Note: while you should avoid the eyes the solution does not appear to sting the eyes -I've gotten it splashed in my eyes quite a few times and it did not hurt. After about 10 minutes slip on an E-collar so your cat cannot lick herself and crate her in an empty crate with NO bedding. The idea is to have your cat sit with the wet, working solution on her for another 20-30 minutes. If its cold in your area then turn the heat UP in the house before bathing her. Then after half an hour, take your cat out of the crate and towel dry, and use a brush to work any of the borax crystals out of her coat. Borax has the same toxicity as regular table salt, but taken in large quantities will cause loose stools, so brush the crystals out so as not to give her an upset stomach. [This is different advice than given for dogs, who do not lick themselves dry and can simply be let loose from the crate to air dry and shake the borax crystals off].
You did not state what type of mites your cat has, but generally you would bathe your cat in this solution, mixed up fresh each time, 2-3 times a week for the first week, and then once per week for 4 -8 weeks, depending on the severity of the infestation, and the life cycle of the species of mite you are dealing with.
Posted by Becky (San Bernadino, Ca) on 01/13/2014 ★☆☆☆☆
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 diluteit 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!
Posted by J. L. Cone (Tampa Area, Florida) on 01/10/2014
Regarding burrowing mites---the package insert of Pfizer's Revolution claims that it is effective for sarcoptic mange in dogs. It did not work on my dog...possibly because I had already bathed my dog. Revolution works by spreading through the oils of the skin. Revolution can be used on cats, and since it is an easy thing to try, I'd suggest to use it first, especially before bathing a cat. After bathing, it would be prudent to wait a few days for oils in the skin to restore before giving a dose of Revolution. I've used it for years and I really like it. It also works as flea preventative, heartworm preventative, and worms for hookworms and roundworms in cats.
There is a product called "Mite Avenge" for dogs, which I have just ordered, and therefore, I have not tried it. Perhaps someone with mange in a cat could contact the company to find out about the safety of using Mite Avenge in cats.
One useful tool in dealing with mite infestations is to use an enzyme cleaner. I have used one that is to be diluted, one part enzyme cleaner to 8 parts water ( the brand I like is Kleen Free ) . You can put this diluted mixture into a spray bottle and mist surfaces, or carpet. Enzyme cleaner kills mites on contact, because the enzymes dissolve the outer shell of the mite ( or other bugs ) and then "poof" -- bug is dead. I have used this dilution as a shampoo for the dog--you have never seen such a clean dog! The limitation is that once the enzyme cleaner is dry, it no longer has any action against mites. Currently I am using the Borax-1% hydrogen peroxide as something that I can leave on the dog for relief from itching. I've also used tea tree oil, diluted with water and put it a spray bottle to "touch up" itchy places on the dog. It is very tiring, and a long haul, to get rid of these pests. I do agree that the healthiest animals are likely to have some real resistance to this type of infestation.
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
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How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
Try this to make enough solution to treat your cat for mites:
You will need:
1 brown bottle of hydrogen peroxide from the grocery store [its a 16 oz bottle of a 3% solution]
1 box Borax from the laundry aisle [unscented]
1 gallon jug - clean, empty [to be used to mix up the solution]
32 ounces of pure filtered or distilled water
Method:
Pour the bottle of hydrogen peroxide in to the empty jug and add 32 ounces [or two of the now empty brown peroxide bottle filled up twice] of filtered tap water or distilled water. This gives you 48 ounces of a 1% hydrogen peroxide solution that is needed for the next step.
Next add 1 cup of borax crystals to the jug and shake. There should be undisolved grains of borax in the mix - this is what you want to see. Now you have a jug of cold solution. Next fill your bath tub with hot water and rest the jug in the tub; when the tub water has cooled enough to make a nice cozy warm bath for your cat, the solution inside the jug will also be nice and warm. Next, bathe your cat in regular kitty shampoo and then rinse well. Then drain out all the soapy bath water and plug up the tub again. Now pour the grainy solution over your cat. It will help to use a plastic cup to scoop up the solution from the bottom of the tub so you can keep pouring the solution over her again and again and again - make sure you get the head and ears; use a wash cloth to apply to the head and face. Note: while you should avoid the eyes the solution does not appear. After about 10 minutes slip on an E-collar so your cat cannot lick herself and crate her in an empty crate with NO bedding. The idea is to have your cat sit with the wet, working solution on her for another 20-30 minutes. If its cold in your area then turn the heat UP in the house before bathing her. Then after half an hour, take your cat out of the crate and towel dry, and use a brush to work any of the borax crystals out of her coat. Borax has the same toxicity as regular table salt, but taken in large quantities will cause loose stools, so brush the crystals out so as not to give her an upset stomach. [This is different advice than given for dogs, who do not lick themselves dry and can simply be let loose from the crate to air dry and shake the borax crystals off].
You did not state what type of mites your cat has, but generally you would bathe your cat in this solution, mixed up fresh each time, 2-3 times a week for the first week, and then once per week for 4 -8 weeks, depending on the severity of the infestation, and the life cycle of the species of mite you are dealing with.
Please let me know if there is a peroxide and borax amout to bathe an entire cat in. My cat has invisible mites and Revolution is not working. Thank you
I have been treating my cat for over a year now for mange, this website has helped me a great deal. The first time she was treated with borax & peroxide and was tolerated well, the cats mange was gone for approx. Eight months but she also has an upper respiratory infection that I failed to treat. I noticed a few months ago a few new spots of mange coming back, it's my understanding mange attacks most animals with low immunity, I used what I found to be a temp. solution for head lice, as I stated it worked great but with in the past few months the mange has come back a whole lot more aggressively, I am doing my very best to keep it away from her face/eyes(mange).....I recently bought a dip for mange also a collar to stop her from cleaning her self while being treated. My cat is a strong fighter, she has the faith for sure. I needed to know if she will be ok with this dip? I have tried so many things I am afraid i'm wearing her resistance down as well as her strong ability to hold on as her immune system gets lower & she gets older, she is approx. Two or three years of age. I have had many pets but she is so smart & fights for her life, it shows me she has the will to live. Any suggestions please? Thank you so much for this web site. I could never do this alone. God bless.
The first two times I used peroxide & borax for my tiny frail cat it worked great for at least seven or eight months but then it recently returned even worse this time around. I tried many different suggestions but I have to be very cautious as I mentioned she is very sick with an upper respiratory infection/when the immune system is way down she is susceptable to any thing especially mange plus many other diseases. I did a web search to find using vaseline because it smothers the mites(I wish now I had of used cooking oil ;o( I left it on for two days, then had to use dawn dish liquid to cut the thickness of the vaseline what a disaster, but my poor sweet little kitty was a real strong trooper. Then I used oatmeal that I bought in an herbal store specially for baths, I could see a huge difference where she was totally infested with these mites every where after her ordeal there was no more mites except red spots. Now I pray her mange is gone until I can rebuild her immune system. I also bought some lime/sulfur dip from an equine web site, it's sold in smaller amounts as well, also I can buy antibiotics from them and a few other treatment items for animals of all sizes. The dip can now be saved for another time, but in hopes the mites won't come back. My kitty is an extra special kitty to me because she has withstood so much but she tends to still hold on and begins to show more trust in our ability to bath her as often as needed. My very best goes out to all others that are brave and willing to keep fighting to save their loving pets. And I also found all animals have a soul....... <(*;*)> God bless
Posted by Linda (San Francisco, Ca, Usa) on 01/14/2012
Hi Yajnaseni, I just want to say that what is OK for dogs may be very dangerous for cats.
I am sorry, I know that doesn't answer your question, but I would not do this with a cat unless I had a whole lot more information on it.
There may be a way to contact Ted directly on the Earthclinic homepage.
I hope you will check this out very, very carefully. It would be a shame to find out after the fact that it was unsafe. I have had cats for 35 years and would not do this. Cats are very delicate and very different than dogs.
I *would* go to www.catnutrition.org , whose site owner has cured several rescued cats of all-over skin diseases, and see what you can find out there.
It may simply be a matter of diet or dietary deficiency.
Posted by Yajnaseni (New Delhi, India) on 01/13/2012
Hi, I have been reading about Ted's cure for mange in dogs. I wanted to know whether this is safe for cats. I have a one-and-a-half yeay old male tabby who has been suffering from scabies (as told by the vet) for over a year now. Vet treatments, spectrazole, antibiotics, 3-5 round of washes have not helped. The top of his head and his neck have gone completely bald and he has a thin layer of fur. I am based in New Delhi and winters are harsh here, I feel really bad for him. So if the borax and peroxide treatment could work, I am willing to try it. But, I am worried about the toxic effect. My cat's immune system is not great either. Thanks for all the help.
I'm really feeling so bad about my beautiful little kitty, she has both returning mange and an upper resp. Infection. I did good for the remainder of the summer and allowed her to play even though she tired easily. But it seems that the mange comes in or out for the winter and now she is loaded. I used the usual dosing of borax and peroxide, it got rid of only a few and there was another huge amount left, so I found a great nit comb, I put a natural oil on her fur and just comb them out, they totally grossed me out they are so big and black, also looked like white ones where they may have been eggs. Her body always feels cold to me. I'm hoping to try and do some less evasive remedies and only pray they continue to work. I can say this; she is some strong trooper. I hope she continues to hang on in the battle to combat these two diseases
Thank you so much for this site and letting me share as well as you sharing with me. God bless
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