I have come up with a wonderful cure for cats with ringworm (and I'm sure it's safe for kitties too). First, let me give you a back story or scroll down to read what I have been doing to get rid of ringworm on my cat. I noticed the first lesion about 3 weeks ago. I was unaware it was ringworm at the time. It looked similar to what could have been a bite from another animal. She is an indoor cat BUT we do have a pesky little mouse so that was just my first thought. About a week later she had another lesion on her back and I noticed her first lesion was expanding and very red. The new lesion was red and shiny. That's when I did my research and figured out it was most likely ringworm. I kind of wanted to just ignore the whole situation because it made me uncomfortable. I went into denial and told myself it would just go away. I was wrong. I ended up finding a small spot on my stomach a few days later. This really put me in a panic and that's when I decided I had to treat this WITHOUT going to the vet. Vets can be very beneficial for many things, but not for ringworm . Ringworm is completely treatable and is not as serious as it may sound. It does not harm your cat or make your cat sick. It is more of just a pain in the ass. Your vet will most likely charge you over 200 for a diagnosis and "testing", and another 200 for medication and follow-ups. Who even knows, but that vet bill will come out to be over $400 for something that is completely treatable at home. So as of today, my cat is healing. The lesions are turning into a pale grey, the color of her fur, which I am assuming is the natural color of her skin. The lesions are not spreading or growing. We sprayed the house down with bleach and washed our cloths in apple cider vinegar and/or aloe vera. (Both can be found at walmart...ACV= $2. Aloe=$8. ) CURE RINGWORM ON YOUR KITTY FOR LESS THAN $10 !!! CLEAN THE &*#T OUT OF YOUR HOUSE. SERIOUSLY.....EVERYTHING. Spray furniture with apple cider vinegar mixed with aloe vera. Doesn't smell and it won't ruin anything. 1. apply aloe vera to kittys lesions 5-6 times a day. Hold kitty or distract them before they can start licking. Let it soak in for 1-2 minutes before you let them start licking. 2. Give them a bath at some point. Mix over the counter cat shampoo with aloe vera. Use lots and lots of aloe vera, and just a little shampoo. 3. Spray a mixture of aloe vera/apple cider vinegar/water on your cats lesions and under their nails. Spray it in their ears...on their butt...everywhere...6-10 times a day. And use this spray on your furniture and clothing. Use it everywhere. Hope that helps. I didn't see results for about a week with my cat. She is doing a lot better but we still don't let her in our room or on the bed. And we still are cleaning and bleaching consistantly. Oh yeah and for my ringworm..... had to put bleach on it. I don't recommend this but nothing else worked. It was my last resort but it does work. Also, I have been washing my hair and body in aloe vera. All seems to be helping. My boyfriend has not gotten a single lesion and mine has not spread anywhere else. make sure you still treat your kittys ringworm even after weeks that it has completely healed. I will be doing the same routine to my cat for about 2 months after her ringworm goes away. I'll do baths every 2 weeks.

oh and 7) I live in an apartment. Do you think the minis would do better to winter on my back porch sheltered by newspaper in a corner, or inside by the sliding glass window. thanks

I believe Mallory is on the right track. I think there's some stomach virus going around. Dottie, if you don't have a fever, than, you're having the same thing I've been having. The stomach only get upset almost right after I eat but not lasting all day, right? Yesterday, I suddenly remembered of my mom's home remedies: Ginger! (not from China =o) I had asian noodles with ginger sauce and it did the trick. The meal stayed in my stomach and my stomach had been calmed ever since.

I don't know about the book but I can personally attest to the benefits of using used coffee grounds in the garden both for pest control and as a root stimulant. This past growing season I finally rid my plants of snails/slugs attacks by surrounding them with coffee grounds. Those varmint won't [or can't] travel over the grounds. My Hostra were overjoyed and beautiful throughout the entire season. I, also, had no mosquitoes hovering around my plantings or on my deck this year. And, I've used it mixed with water to stimulant root growth of "slipped" plants. It works like a charm. It's a natural odor suppressant. I always put some in the bottom of a newly lined refuse container and find no odor after days of use. I'm sure I'll find more ways to use them which tickles me pink considering I'm a big coffee drinker. At the price of coffee, I feel better thinking I'm getting a healthy return on my initial investment. ;-) Anne