I need some advice about what I believe are mites on my 2 cats. [View All]

[Ineeda]

I'm sure I'll have to figure out a way to get my indoor boys to the vet, but here are my problem(s): A. I don't drive, so have to rely on finding a ride. B. One of my cats is a docile Coon, so he wouldn't be too traumatized but my other, a short-haired tux is a terror. I'd have a horrible (dangerous) time just getting him into a carrier, never mind having him poked and prodded by a stranger. (Because they're very healthy, they haven't been to the vet in years, since their boosters.) C. I have VERY limited income, so the cost would be extremely difficult to absorb. D. I'm worried about their exposure to the toxic chemicals probably used to eradicate the critters.

I have no idea how the infestation happened, as they are indoor cats and not exposed to other animals. But the poor guys have been scratching more than usual for about a week and last night I looked very closely under a bright light. To my horror, I spotted a tiny, very fast movement at the skin level. (I also have poor eyesight.) They're not fleas, rather itty-bitty shiny brownish critters. There's also some scaling on the tops of both cats' heads, and when I use my fingernails to "scrape" the scale off, the scrapings look black but when exposed to water, seem to be blood. Are these scales actually scabs from mite bites? Does anyone know of any non-toxic home remedies out there? I was thinking swabbing them with hydrogen peroxide or something like that.