HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: LMWHITE@SLACVM.SLAC.STANFORD.EDU (Lois White)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Ziggy breaks his hip
Date: 7 Apr 92 18:23:43 GMT
Organization: Stanford Linear Accelerator Center

In article <1992Apr6.205046.18924@msuinfo.cl.msu.edu>, 21329KAD@MSU (Kim Dyer)
says:
>
>A friend of mine has a samoyed ... a canadian, AKC, States champion.
>They were in a serious car accident, and the dog (as well as the owner)
>had SERIOUS injuries.  The dog was taken to Michigan State University's
>Veterinary school ... and the required surgeries were done at a reduced
>cost in exchange for allowing vet students watch the procedure.  The dog
>is now ... a little less then 2 years later ... back on the show circuit
>and doing some winning again.
>
>As far as quality of life without surgery ... there are 3 legged cats
>and dogs that do just FINE.  If he isn't in pain (and probably WON'T
>be once he heals) his quality of life will probably be good as long
>as you love him.
I didn't see the original post, but one of my cats somehow fractured the
straight piece of bone which connects the ball to the upper leg in his
hip.  The vet removed the ball and the broken bone.  About 2 years later
kitty was jumping on the coffee table (about 2 ft) and now, after about
6 years, he's jumping up on a work table (29-30 in.) with no difficulty.
The vet told me that in cats and dogs, their muscles around such an
altered joint grow strong enough to compensate for most of the functions
of the bone which was removed.  Also, it's true that 3-legged cats and
dogs can live long, happy lives with a caring owner.  They are very good
at learning to cope with a lost limb and there is no pain once they are
healed.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: amyk@netcom.com (Amy Kurtzman)
Subject: Re: HELP! My cat cries too much.
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 92 04:22:11 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 
Followup-To: rec.pets.cats
Distribution: na
Keywords: whining cats

In article <12329@tamsun.tamu.edu> dlb5404@tamsun.tamu.edu (Daryl Biberdorf) writes:
>
>My cat, Katie, is an 11 month old spayed calico, who is usually pleasant
>to be around - gentle with her claws, doesn't bite, doesn't destroy
>household furnishings, etc.
>
>HOWEVER, she likes to cry, and I can't for the life of me figure out why
>or how to stop this behavior.  She frequently does it in the morning
>(food is in her dish), but there's no other pattern as to the time
>of day she does it.  It's usually kind of a whine (not the loud
>demanding howl), but it's extremely annoying.  It's not her 'friendly'
>voice either.
>
>I have tried loud noises, spray bottles, and confinement, but nothing
>seems to work.
>
>Can *anyone* help me with this problem?

Your Katie sounds like my Lucy-cat's soul mate! Lucy is a whiner too.
Pretty irritating, huh? Especially when you're trying to sleep.

Lucy started whining (and meowing, and being much more vocal in
general) after his beloved companion, Bub-cat died. We're not
really sure why the increase in vocalization at that point. Lucy
previously was fairly quiet, letting Bub-cat take care of the
talking for both of them.

So, if this is a new behaviour for Katie, try to figure out if there
have been any disruptions or life-style changes. Katie is probably
trying to make some sort of social statement. I don't think that
discipline is necessarily the answer. Try to figure out what she
needs when she is whining.

In Lucy's case, we know he is sad and lonely and sometimes bored
too. After all, he no longer has anyone to play with. When he
is whining, he is trying to communicate with us, looking for
attention and affection. Sometimes he may just want to chat. So
if I'm busy, (like while I'm typing this message) I will try
just talking to him while I do whatever. Other things we do are
sit down on the floor with Lucy to chat and give a tummy-rub, or
a scratch behind the ears and under the chin, or a kitty massage.
Lucy is a fetcher cat, so if he brings his foam golf ball, and is
whining to get our attension, we know he wants to play fetch
(if we're asleep, Lucy will bring the ball right up on the bed
for our convenience!). We'll also try the cat dancer or try to
interest Lucy in playing with the mousie house or another toy.

You could also bring Katie to the vet for a check-up, to rule
out any physical problems. Lucy's problems are emotional.

Katie may just be feeling insecure or in need of more attention.
So you may find that giving Katie more conversation and
attention will work. Oh, also, if the whining is a problem at
night, you may be able to delay the wake-up call by running
her around for awhile right before bedtime.

Hope this helps.


-- 
Amy Kurtzman                     |     "I have no clever quote."   
amyk@netcom.COM                  |                  - Amy Kurtzman
Organization: Business Systems, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Date: Thu,  9 Apr 1992 14:12:32 -0400 
From: Diane Gibson <dg0q+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Cat FAQ is Great!  Two suggestions....
Distribution: usa

Hi:

I read throught the FAQs last night, and I think they are great!  I add
my thanks to those who have already said it.

I did notice that two pieces of information which I have found useful
are not included in the FAQs.  Someone please correct me if I am
misinformed.....

1)  Vomiting

When I called the Vet to ask about my cat vomiting her food immediately
after eating, they asked me what "shape" the vomit was.  Apparently, if
the cat vomits immediately after eating, and the vomit is in a tube
shape (which it was), it means that the cat ate so fast that the food
got stuck in the esophogus (sp?) and had to come up.  They said this was
nothing to worry about and was quite common.  Now I look at the shape
before I investigate for hairballs  (which I never found). I guess she's
just a little piggy! 

2)  Disinfectants

A friend who breeds Russian Blues warned me never to use a disinfectant
that contains Phenol, as that is also poisonous to cats (like Pine Oil).
 This is found in Lysol--and I'm not sure what else.  I stick with
Bleach now.  You might want to add that to the list of bad disinfectants.

Just trying to help.....

Diane and Suki
Carnegie Mellon University
From: walrus@bessel.umd.edu (Grig Larson)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Mousie toy
Date: 12 Apr 92 16:35:13 GMT
Organization: Punk Walrus Enterprises, Inc.

>Now what Jaka goes nuts over is milk rings. She uses them up (ie.,
>"challenges" herself by batting them under the fridge then trying to
>get them back out) so fast that we have had to use substitutes: the
>rings from 2-liter bottles, peanut jars, New York Seltzer bottles,
>etc.  These don't hold her interest for long --- she recognizes 
>quality, genuine milk jug rings!
>

Mikey loves milk rings too. He'll play with them until he knocks them under
our entertainment center/shelves where he can't get them out. He would stare
at where it was for a few minutes, waiting to see if it escapes, lose interest,
and walk away. When we moved I found 215 of them! No lie, I counted!
 

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
|\||/ A Punkie (tm) | 
|(o-) Qickie-.sig!  |
| /\                |
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
walrus@bessel.umd.edu 


Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: noe@m.cs.uiuc.edu (Roger Noe)
Subject: Re: Cat bringing home unwanted rodents
Organization: University of Illinois, Dept. of Comp. Sci., Urbana,  IL
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 1992 23:07:56 GMT

In article <1992Apr8.164900.11368@usenet.ins.cwru.edu> esh2@po.CWRU.Edu (Evelyn S. Hlabse) writes:
>How do I get her to stop this revolting habit?
>She's well fed and doesn't eat her victim.

It would be wrong to try to get the cat to stop hunting.  This is the
nature of the most domesticated of wild animals and the wildest of
domesticated animals, one of the best predators on land.  She's just
trying to please you by delivering prey, perhaps because you seem such
an inept hunter yourself.  She expects you to lick her face in thanks,
and then devour the lower life form.  The least you could do is pet
the kitty, say "Thank you, you're such a GOOD killer!" and then
dispose of the carcass discreetly.  At her next meal time, tell her
that what you're feeding her is what she brought home, cooked and
chopped up.  Mmmm-mmmm!  :-)

>Two, how does she do it.

That's what she was made to do!  Yeah, they're cute, cuddly fur-balls
but Nature made cats to stalk, pounce, and kill.  They are remarkable
in that they can do it so efficiently, even after they've been
mutilated by humans and deprived of some of their natural tools.  It's
mostly in their brains, I guess, what little they've been given.

I kind of think of cats as little mobile machines with just a few
programs in them.  The biggest, most elegant program they have is
"Hunt!"  Next in size and running priority is "Fight/Flee!" which
has two basic settings, "just pretend" and "life or death" which is
useful against packs of dogs and things like that.  Closely related is
the "Play!" program, which I think is a subset of the two previous
programs, kind of on a "practice" setting.  There is also a
"Curiosity!" routine which enables the cat to create trouble when
there isn't already some.  Finally, the utility programs "Eat", "Wash"
and "Excrete" take care of periodic necessities.  But much of the time
the processor is idle, what we call the "Sleep" program, with its
optional audible output.  What fun to be a cat!

>Is she is danger of getting a disease from them?

Not if she's vaccinated against rabies, which every outdoor cat ought
to be (except in parts of the world which supposedly have no rabid
animals).  She could always catch SOMEthing, but cats have been
hunting, killing, and eating just about anything they could for
millennia.

>She sees her vet on a regular basis and there is no way I can keep her
>from using the pet door short of caging her and I don't want to do
>that.

While my cats are all indoor cats and I urge most people to keep their
cats inside for their own safety, I applaud anyone who does not wish
to try changing the nature of their beasts.  They are what they are.
--
Roger Noe                            noe@cs.uiuc.edu
Department of Computer Science       40:06:39 N.  88:13:41 W.
University of Illinois               (217) 244-6173
Urbana, IL  61801  USA               "Open the %#%$# pod bay doors, HAL!"
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: jeffp@luke.eecs.wsu.edu (Jeff Parke - Vet med staff)
Subject: Re: Help my cat is skinny!
Originator: jeffp@luke.eecs.wsu.edu
Organization: Washington State University
Date: Fri, 17 Apr 92 06:57:10 GMT



>>Tapeworms   DO NOT show up in a stool sample!  I had two animals that

>       How about if we modify that first shout to "...do not ALWAYS show
>       up in a stool sample."  A tapeworm consists of a head which is

Tapeworm eggs also will often show up in a fecal floatation.  The segments
that look like little rice grains are usually the presenting sign, however.

Tapeworms in adult dogs and cats are not typically responsible for much
apparent disease.  They are often very well tolerated - a well balanced
parasite.

-Jeff
jeffp@eecs.wsu.edu  (Jeff Parke - WSU CVM class of 94)

-- 
jeffp@eecs.wsu.edu ...uunet!eecs.wsu.edu!jeffp
98127809@WSUVM1.bitnet CIS: 71511,1512  AOL: JeffParke
a.k.a. Jeff Parke,  Washington State University College of Vet. Medicine
Organization: Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1992 02:07:38 -0400 
From: Deborah Nina Cherry <dc30+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Please Re-post FAQ

Hi, I'm new to this group, I plan to be adopting a kitten on Tues. from
the local shelter, I've heard there is a very good FAQ (and seen some
praises of it), but it is no longer on our system, could someone plese
re-post it or send it to me.

Thanks
Debbie Cherry,
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

INTERNET: dc30@andrew.cmu.edu
BITNET:	  dc30+%andrew.cmu.edu@carnegie (preferably) 
	  or debbie@drycas
Organization: University of Maine System
Date: Saturday, 11 Apr 1992 19:22:19 EDT
From: Ailsa N.T. Murphy <IO81409@MAINE.MAINE.EDU>
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Real fur mousie toy
 <1992Apr6.182848.20891@cbnewsk.cb.att.com>

i beg to differ again.  if they are evolved to hunt prey,
how come mine prefer the edges of computer printouts to
anything else i could come up with (to include a fur mousie
that happened to be kicking around)?  they also like crumpled
up newspapers and packing foam popcorn thingies - anything
that they can use to make the floor absolutely invisible.
i think mine evolved just for the purpose of driving my
housemate crazy!  *grin*

                                    -ailsa

p.s. picture if you will a WHOLE GARBAGE BAG of popcorn thingies
left overnight with the cats...  they made moving a very memorable
experience...
From: ames@biostat.washington.edu (Diane Ames)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: cat hates being brushed
Date: 9 Apr 92 16:27:37 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle

In article <yqrj06h.cap@netcom.com> cap@netcom.com (Caroline Smrstik) writes:
>Robyn Williamson wrote:
>
>>Ralph (Kitty Ralph, Ralphie-poo) hates to be brushed.  

>FOOD. Graham Chapman reacts much like your Ralphie-poo when being brushed.
>Steve thinks Graham has sensitive skin and doesn't like the bristles. 

Well, I responded to Robyn via e-mail....but after reading this I decided
to post.  Zoe, too, hated being brushed.  I also had one of the wire-
bristled cat brushes from the pet store, and I also came to the conclusion
that she had sensitive skin.

I bought a $1.39 Goody hairbrush (with nylon bristles) at the drugstore,
and she tolerated this better, but still not well.  I was patient with 
her, brushing only as long as she was comfortable, and gradually, over
a period of several weeks, I worked up to 2 full body brushings a day.
Now she *demands* her brushings twice a day....and I hear about it if
she thinks it's overdue.

It's worth a try.  Be patient and persevere.....try to make it something
they look forward to.  Sure beats cleaning up hairballs!  :-)

-Diane


"Stately, kindly, lordly friend condescend
	here to sit by me, and turn
		Glorious eyes that smile and burn..."

				Algernon Charles Swinburne
From: krissie@locus.com (Krissie Griffiths)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: comforting cats in car
Date: 16 Apr 92 17:09:56 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Locus Computing Corporation, Los Angeles, California

>I had a funny thing happen.  I was taking one of my cats (DaLiang, who
>has the IQ of a dinner mint) to the vets in my husband's car.  He was
>in the back seat in his carrier, and we had the seat down so the hatchback
>interior of the backseat was flat.

again, a posting on how our cats are very food like (big grin) and it 
brings to mind that my l2.75 meatloaf of a previous posting, michael thomas
r.i.p., also had the intelligence of probably a dinner mint as well.

but in truth, no better beastie every walked the face of this earth.  he
was absolutely a wonderful being.  everyone just loved him.  his job was to
please and he did that with expertise.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: woodcock@utdallas.edu (Gregg E. Woodcock)
Subject: How to stop poo-poo boo-boos?!?!
Organization: Univ. of Texas at Dallas
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 1992 21:37:18 GMT

I know that if a FAQ exists, this is in it but I have checked this
newsgroup for a week or 2 and have never seen an article in it yet (on any
subject).

Here goes: my 1 year old, front-declawed, neutered, rough but loving, female
housecat has recently begun to leave little brown baskets all along the
perimeter of our living room.  I have tried yelling+confinement to bathroom
(where litter box is) on a per-event basis but it hasn't helped.  The last
2 times I adding spanking to the formula but I don't think it will make any
difference.  I also reward here with a "Pounce" every night after surveying
the area and assuring it is clean (as well as any time I happen to notice
she is using the box).  What else can I do?  The neighborhood cats are
prowling around much more frequently and I think this is the catalyst to
this new (mis)behaviour.  I have heard there are sprays you can buy that
smell bad to cats so they won't go near the area but I haven't been able to
find any.  I have also heard that I should put her food in the spot because
cats won't poop around their food...but that won't work because the room is
huge.

Please send Email because I don't subscribe to this group.
And *hurry*!!  The wife is about to kick us both out!

P.S. Sorry if this post is inappropriate in any way.
-- 
Gregg Woodcock = woodcock@utdallas.edu or bn202@cleveland.freenet.edu
From: jyoung@CERIS.Purdue.EDU (Joan Young)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: What to feed your cat.
Date: 6 Apr 92 17:22:03 GMT
Organization: Center for Environmental and Regulatory Information Systems, Purdue University


     I have four cats, and have been a cat owner for many years.  Cats
will eat only what they want to eat and only when they are hungry.
When I'm home I notice that each of my cats vary in their eating
habits.  If I feed them canned food two eat immediately while the
other two eat about a half hour later.  All four consume three pounds
of dry food per week.  The largest portion of "wet" food they eat is
food i prepare myself.  I combine liver (chicken or pork), chicken
gizzards/hearts and rice.  Cook in water and process with a food
processor.  I add some dry food and additional water when they are fed
in their bowls.  They consume about 3/4th pounds per day.  So far they
are in very good health.  My oldest is 10 and the youngest is 3.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: levine@symcom.math.uiuc.edu (Lenore Levine)
Subject: Re: A CAT IS NOT AN "it"!!!!
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1992 18:31:38 GMT

jay@cmn11.Stanford.EDU (Jay Kadis) writes:

>In article <edotto.703437376@uipsuxb> edotto@uipsuxb.ps.uiuc.edu (Edward  
>C. Otto III) writes:
>> Actually, it is the correct pronoun to use for a neutered/spayed animal,
>> as they then have NO sex. (Not if the vet did his job correctly. :-) )
>> 

>I would argue that a neutered/spayed animal still has gender: even without  
>gonads they are genetically male or female.

>Jay Kadis

Note that neutered/spayed animals seem to remain *emotionally* male or
female (like a child may be emotionally male or female before it has
sexual feelings).

I remember when I had three precious cats, all neutered. The two girls
adored the boy and were extremely jealous of each other. Once I saw
one of them on each side of him, each washing a side of his precious
head, and giving dirty looks to each other!!!
From: hersh@expo.lcs.mit.edu (Jay Hersh)
Subject: Re: Ralphin' Kitty
Organization: X Consortium, MIT Laboratory for Computer Science
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1992 17:00:32 GMT

my 14 year old Phuzz has started doing this in the last 2 years.
She tosses up furballs in the summer (I do give her petromalt, this helps)
but she also just randomly tosses her food sometimes. She also eats
pretty fast, so it may perhaps have something to do with that, but I
understand stress factors may also have something to do with this
(I have a 1 year old, and while the 2 play the older cat isn't always
psyched to play, and the younger cat probably stresses out the older
one some, though  the older one does appreciate the company).

Phuzz has been to the vet, and they say there is no chronic problem...

-JaH

--
Hopfen und Malz, Gott erhalts
From: brookshe@novavax.UUCP (Kiaera)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: PEDIGREES
Date: 8 Apr 92 15:32:22 GMT
Reply-To: brookshe@novavax.UUCP (Leighton A. Brooks)
Organization: Nova University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida


	CAN ANYONE PROVIDE ME WITH INFORMATION ON WHERE
	TO GO AND WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN SELECTING A PEDIGREE.
	I AM INTERESTED IN BREEDING.  ARE THERE ANY BOOKS
	AVAILABLE OR SUCH...  ANY ASSISSTANCE WILL BE MOST
	APPRECIATED.

	THANKS.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: aschi@silver.lcs.mit.edu (aschi)
Subject: Unfriendly Kitty
Organization: MIT Lab for Computer Science
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 1992 23:50:06 GMT

I recently moved into a house where another cat has been living for the past
6 months or so. Victor, the cat that already lives here, is very friendly 
and affectionate to people and other animals (including my rabbit, whom he
just loves!). However, my cat Elvis is being incredibly antisocial. Any time
Elvis comes in contact with Victor, he hisses and runs under my bed. Victor
has made no threatening gestures of any sort, and is very curious about
this newcomer. Right now their only contact is through a 1 inch space under
my bedroom door or on the rare occasion that Elvis escapes from my room. I
feel horribly guilty about keeping Elvis in my room all the time (although 
it is good-sized, I still feel awful), and would love to have the two cats 
become friends so Elvis won't have to be confined any longer... Any suggest-
ions as to how I can introduce them to each other...? Elvis spent the first
year of his life around 2 other cats (he's almost 3 now), and Vic has lived 
peacefully with as many as 5 other cats. I'm at a loss, so any help would be
GREATLY appreciated...

--Amanda

Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: cln@cooley.mitre.org (Carol L. Nowacki)
Subject: Re: Cat Facial Expressions
Followup-To: rec.pets.cats
Organization: Research Computer Facility, MITRE Corporation, Bedford, MA
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 3 Apr 1992 21:05:48 GMT


I think cats faces are very expressive, with the combination of eyes,
ears, whiskers, and sometimes lips.  However, has anyone else ever
noticed that photographs of cats rarely seem to capture the facial
expressiveness of cats?  I have a picture of my two cats on my desk in
which they both have completely blank stares on their faces, when in
real life I find their facial expressions quite varied.  It's as if
whatever the quality is that makes the face "expressive" is too
3-dimensional to be seen in a 2-D picture.  Or maybe I need a wide
angle lens... :-)  Has anyone else ever observed this, and does anyone
have a more "scientific" explanation for the phenomenon?

Carol Nowacki
From: cyndie@sequent.com (Cyndie Sutherland)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Help with cat fights
Date: 9 Apr 92 20:30:31 GMT
Article-I.D.: sequent.1992Apr9.203031.5923
Distribution: usa
Organization: Sequent Computer Systems, Inc.

I have two kitties that are indoor only and now I'm glad they are.  I
live in an apartment complex and there many kitties that live there.
There is very nice and freindly loveable kitty that lives upstairs and
a very mean (but beautiful) cat that lives right next door.  As a
matter of fact we share a landing to our front doors.  Both the
neighbor kitties are part indoor part outdoor kitties.  The mean kitty
that lives next door will curl up in front of our door on the landing
and growl and hiss at us when we come home and want to get into our
apartment!  Its scary, I don't want to open the door while its there
cause it might try to get our pretty children (kitties) who run to
greet us at the door every time it opens.  So any how, I usually
manage to shoo it away from the door.  Now after all that, here's my
real concern...  every night I hear at least one major cat
fight,either on the landing or in the yard.  We've looked out and it
is the mean kitty picking a fight with the nice loveable kitty from
upstairs.  This happens at least once EVERY night!  When the mean
kitty is kept in...no fight.  I have seen the nice kitty chase away
the mean kitty, and it seems that the nice kitty usually wins.  I see
the nice kitty out everyday and she has never been hurt or injured and
is always still so freindly.  But the mean kitty has been injured, and
has been kept indoors for periods of time.  And as much as I am glad
that the nice wins out over the mean kitty, it bothers me that they
fight.  Any ideas on what I should do??

thanks
cyndie