Itchy & Crusty Ears Cont'd..

It is the action of the olive oil that is most important, as it just smothers the mites. Since the smothering can cause the mite to irritate the cat's ear more, make sure to let the ear breathe for a day between applications and change your solution if irritations persist. To make the ear oil, take a few tablespoons of olive oil and add to a cool/room temp saucepan. You can add a few slices of fresh garlic, lavender, or rue herb. If you don't have any of these ingredients, skip the next paragraph, and don't heat the olive oil...

Barely heat the burner on the lowest temperature it will allow for no more than 1 minute. The goal is to not cook the oil, but to flash-heat it just enough to stimulate the herbs to release their magic into the oil. Let sit for 5-10 minutes cooling before straining out the herbs. Throw out the oil if it smokes and start again.

Once completely cooled, you can add other oils, like a drop of lavender essential oil, a drop of tea tree oil, a drop of grapefruit seed extract or 2 drops of vitamin E oil, and stir gently and thoroughly. Lavender and vitamin E oil will soothe and aid in healing, and are best for highly sensitive cats. Tea tree oil and grapefruit seed oil help ward off infections of several types but are a bit stronger so don't use too much or it could make your cat uncomfortable (but either one is great for stubborn problems).

Use about 3 drops of oil for each application. Make sure oil is not cool to touch when you use it, body temperature is best. If your cat freaks out, get a bath towel and wrap the cat like its wearing a cape, crossing it over the chest with legs pinned underneath. Keep it tight around neck, but ***obviously do not choke the cat***, so he/she can't squeeze his paw through the neck and scratch you when he/she freaks out. Then apply oil. After oil is applied, fold ear flap over and down towards the chin and rub it semi-vigorously until it makes squishing sound, about 30 seconds. Cat will Shake Head Vigorously when ear is released, so watch out. Also beware, cat will look and act annoyed and oily.

The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care by Puotinen, says to apply the oil every other day for a week, then rest for 3 days, and then every 3 days for a month to be sure all generations of mites are killed and reinfection does not occur. I have applied too often in the past and the poor kitty's ears became seriously irritated from the dying mites' desperate digging. Don't forget the schedule and stay persistent. I've never had to do the regimen twice, even with terrible cases, because it always works. Consult a vet if symptoms worsen even after the first 5 days, or if they persist after the treatment period, or if the symptoms are severe.

More on ears next time...