Expert: Herbs, NuVet Plus Supplements, Dog/Cat Food Recipes; ( Marie) - 10/5/2010

Question
Hi

Please could you advise me?

My 3 year old cat has just come home having been missing for 5 months!!
I'm over the moon but also he seems to have a few problems which need
treating. 

He's not insured as I didn't think he was coming home so I'm looking to try
to solve these myself first hopefully. 

He's come back to me with a head tilt. I am hoping this is an ear infection
and nothing more sinister (I've done a bit of research online) I'm assuming
it's an inner ear infection because of the tilt and the fact that the people
who found him say that the other day he was having trouble walking. His
balance is slightly off I have noticed.

My question is, what  can I do to try to cure this problem using home
remedies? I've read online that gelsemium should be given 3 times
A day for 3-4 days. But what sort of tablets should I give? Human ones?
I'm worried about extra additives in the pills I can buy from track for
example. I don't want to give him anything dangerous but the website I
read says that gelsemium is good for deep inner ear infections.

I've also read that vitamin c should be given to reduce inflammation.
Again, which kind and how much? I can get effervescent vit c or tablets
for humans, are these right?

Same again with echinacea tablets... Which type and how much?

Is there anything else you can recommend to clear this infection up? Can
ear drops cure inner ear infections? If so, what's the best thing to use? At
the moment I'm using otodex.

I really can't afford a big vets bill at the moment so I really need to try an
alternative first. 

If you can suggest anything I'd be very grateful.

Thanks

Sally

Answer
Hi Sally - so happy your kitty came back to you.
Here are a few things to do:

1.  Vitamin C - ( try giving Ester C )  - Buy the 250 mg tablets and crush it into some tuna or other canned Wet Cat food ---  You can sometimes find Vitamin C already in a powder form.  Just go to CVS or Walgreens Drug stores and ask for the Vitamin C in a low dosage .  You may even find the children's dosge .
This is for humans but pets take it all the time.

2.  Next - Please get kitty onto NuVET Supplement for cats ASAP -
This is not sold in any stores:
Call in at 1-800-474-7044  ( tell them Discount code 81098) and ask for the NuVET Feline powder.  Give kitty 1/2 a teaspoon in the am and 1/2 in the pm - mixed into some Wet cat food -
It doesn't have much of a taste at all ( but, hide it anyway in the food)
NuVET will reduce inflammation and help to heal.
NuVET is all Natural.
Make sure you tell them Pet Nurse Marie is working with you.
They are open 8-4 in California time zone.

3.  Last - I bet this kitty has ear mites. -  get an eye dropper and place 2 drops of olive oil in each ear.  Rub it into the ear with a cotton ball and dry the excess that falls out.
Do the Olive oil treatment every 2-3 days for at least 3 weeks.
( SAFE and low cost with olive oil )
Olive oil will drown the mites... ( helps to heal too)

Here is the NuVET site:
http://www.nuvet.com/81098


Hope this helps...

Marie Peppers
Ask the Vet Nurse