Diamond (Salisbury, Ma.) on 09/20/2012

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.

Replied 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.

Replied By Becky (San Bernadino, Ca) on 01/13/2014

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!

Replied By Sd (Australia) on 10/01/2014

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.

Replied By Christine (Hope, Bc) on 05/12/2016

Hello,

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.

Replied By Susan E. (Pennsylvania) on 04/21/2018

Why would all of you go to such lengths, when Frontline Plus pour-on (or a more generic "Fipronil" product will do), is simply a pour-on, right on the neck of the animal like most flea treatment (and kills fleas also) & poof, problem solved, PLUS you are mange free for a month, sooooo no possible reinfection from surfaces, wild animals. My Mom & I went through this GIANT ridiculous month-long treatment duo with 7 cats & I found out later how easy it could've been from my VET-TECH. Now the only thing everyone needs to be sure of is NEVER NEVER EVER use Permethrin on CATS!!!! Its killing so many Cats that they have asked Veterinarians all across the United States to put up their laminated poster in every office. It will kill them in a pour-on, or make them very very sick; if accidental, quickly wash them with only mild soap (especially on the neck), preferably Baby Shampoo (tried & true), force-feed w/a syringe (no needle) water & a little bit of activated charcoal (don't give them any where near a full capsule) & then run them just as fast as your GPS & car can get you to an animal emergency clinic or open veterinarian, even if you didn't call ahead. You can get activated charcoal at Wal-Mart near the Beano capsules in the gas relief medicine section & the capsules are bright pink. Or you can get some at Jefferspetsupply.com, I think its called Kaolin Suspension. I'm not sure that this works for a pesticide though and Permey=thrin "IS" a pesticide. All of those pour-ons are, however I understand Brewers Yeast can help alot with fleas and ticks, probably on OnlyNaturalPet.com, who also carry some kick-butt tinctures that are herbs, etc. to calm cats down so you can treat them, for thunderstorms, constipation, the works (God I love this site). They can at least tell you the closest hospital. However, always know what the best Animal Hospital is near you & have directions right there. Been there, done that, and you poor people (like me) will quickly realize how much cost doesn't matter when your love is looking bad, but try not to go to a big fancy pants shiny new machines free food place. They'll treat you real good, but not even rich people should pay those prices (as did I recently), but I was a butt-head, but I got back on the Facebook with the owner, I explained & she wants me to call her. The only time it is ever ok to say cats & Permethrin in the same sentence is if it is ear mite drops. Don't get them on their skin, but if you do, have a warm soapy rag ready to wipe it off - - twice.

Replied By Theresa

(Mpls., Mn) on 04/23/2018

Theresa

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.

http://www.piperslegacy.org/

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Hey Susan,

Google "Frontline Plus side effects" and you will have your answer as to why so many here refuse to use products like these.

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