Homeopathic Cure for Cat Mange

Causes

• Mange in cats can be caused by two types of mites: burrowing and nonburrowing. The burrowing mites will burrow into the cat's skin where they will lay their eggs inside tunnels in the skin. The nonburrowing mites live on the surface of the cat, feeding on dead skin, tissue fluid or blood.

Types of Mange

• The most common form of mange in cats is ear mites, or otodectic cynotis. The mites live inside the ear, causing irritation and oozing, typically as a result of a secondary bacterial or fungal infection.

  Another type of mange common in cats is notoedric mange. It is often referred to as head mange or cat scabies. It causes hair loss and areas of crusty skin caused by the burrowing of the mites. This type of mange is extremely contagious to humans as well as other animals.

  Other less common forms of mange are demodectic mange, cheyletiella mange and sarcoptic mange. Sarcoptic mange is the form that typically afflicts dogs and is quite rare in cats.

Grooming

• Brushing the cat can help to remove dead skin and excess hair that provide shelter for the mites. If the cat has long hair, trimming the hair shorter will increase the effectiveness of applied medications by ensuring adequate skin contact.

Bathing

• Even though one might cringe at the idea of bathing a cat, one of the most effective home remedies for mange is a lime-sulfur dip. Bathing the cat with an antidandruff shampoo is recommended prior to application of the lime-sulfur dip. The dip is then applied to the cat every five to seven days for six weeks.

Topical

• Mites in the ear can be killed with an ear wash solution of apple cider vinegar. Apply the solution to a cotton ball and massage into the cat's ear. Plain yogurt that contains acidophilus can also be used to aid in healing the insides of ears.

Oral

• Mange is thought to affect animals when their immune system is compromised. To ensure optimal immune health, cats should be fed a high-quality food. In addition, adding apple cider vinegar to the cat's food can help with symptoms of mange.

Considerations

• The best cure for mange is to prevent it in the first place. Keep any animals with symptoms of mange quarantined from other animals or people. Continue treatment two weeks beyond the apparent cessation of disease to ensure the cat is free of mites. Also, treat other exposed animals with a lime-sulfur dip, even if they are symptom-free. To prevent reinfestation, frequently wash all bedding in hot water and disinfect all areas of the cat's environment.