Ear mites are pesky little critters that can drive your cat or dog nuts. Once cursed, pets seem to have the problem for life. Ears that seem very itchy and have dark debris, like coffee grounds, down in the ear, are the telltale signs that your pet's ears have visitors.

Although prescription medication is the normal method of attack, Dr. Pitcairn recommends this natural remedy.

The herb mite helper. Mix 1/2 ounce of almond oil and 400 international units of vitamin E in a dropper bottle, Dr. Pitcairn says. Once a day for three days put a dropperful or two in each ear and massage the ear well. Let your pet shake its head and then clean out the opening with cotton swabs. The oily mixture smothers the mites and helps healing. Between uses refrigerate the mixture, and warm it up before each use.

Let the pet's ears rest for three days while you brew up a new medicine. Add 1 pint of boiling water to 1 slightly rounded teaspoon of yellow dock. Cover tightly and steep 30 minutes. Strain and let cool. Put the mixture in a clear bottle and keep it in the refrigerator.

Begin another three-day treatment as outlined above, stop for ten days, and repeat for another three days. Warm the yellow dock solution before putting it in your pet's ears; he will be more accepting of the treatment if the solution is not ice cold. Make sure it is warm and not hot.

"If your pet's ears seem irritated, either from mite infection or the herbs, use only the almond oil and vitamin E until the irritation fades," Dr. Pitcairn says. "If the ears are inflamed or very sensitive, use bottled aloe vera gel instead of the oil until the inflammation subsides."