HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: pdsmith.mitre.org (Pat Smith)
Subject: Re: annual checkup procedures
Organization: The MITRE Corporation
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1992 14:32:58 GMT

In article <1992Sep1.015652.2590@zia.aoc.nrao.edu>, rmilner@zia.aoc.nrao.edu (Ruth Milner) writes:
> 
> Hi all, I checked in the FAQ first and didn't find the detail I wanted, so
> I decided to post.
> 
> Our girls are just over a year old now, and it has been nearly a year since
> their first shots. Both were spayed at Christmas. I am taking them back in
> for their annual boosters, and would like to ask the vet for a general exam
> exam and some precautionary tests at the same time. This vet does not actually 
> *dis*like cats, but he makes no bones about preferring large animals, and has 
> always seemed a bit indifferent although he handles them confidently. He is 
> the only vet within 40+ miles, so I don't really have a choice.
> 
> They spend the day outdoors while we are at work, and are indoors the rest
> of the time.
> 
> What should I ask him to do? Things I thought of:
> 
>   - check teeth and ears (for tartar/gum swelling and ear mites respectively)
>   - check body and abdomen for unusual lumps/painful spots/swelling
>   - blood (?) test for FeLV (FIV too?) (hasn't been done yet)
>   - boosters for rabies, FeLV, panleukopenia, rhino&co. (Tetanus?)
> 
> Anything else important for an annual "physical"?
> 
> The girls show no signs of worms, so I am not too worried about that. But
> is it a good idea anyway? From the symptoms in the FAQ, the only possible
> type would be tapeworm, and Boots is too plump for that. Abby is just about
> right in terms of weight (~10 pounds, average size). Both are very active,
> Boots just likes her food too much (like me :-) ). Judging by the little
> saying someone posted here ("If you can see its ribs, it's too thin; if you
> can't feel them, it's too fat") they are both fine on the weight side.
> 
> Thanks for any advice.
> -- 
> Ruth Milner                          NRAO/VLA                  Socorro NM
> Computing Division Head      rmilner@zia.aoc.nrao.edu
> 
> 
I don't know about a rabies problem where you live but in PA, NY, CT, MA area,
rabies in raccoons is becoming a problem.  If your cats are outdoors, you may
want to get rabies vaccines for them.  Some area are now requiring them for 
cats just like dogs.  Also, feline leukemia is a risk to cats have exposure
to other cats.  There is a vaccine for that.  Initially there is a test, then
2 shots with a yearly booster.  Some folks say a cat doesn't need a vet and 
won't spend money on them but I try to give them the best chance for a
healthy life.  The rabies issue is more critical and I believe cats that are
outdoors should be vaccinated.  There is too much risk of them scratching 
someone and rabies is nothing to fool with.
From: walrus@bessel.umd.edu (Grig Larson)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Why Do Cats Sit on Paper?
Date: 4 Sep 92 15:27:10 GMT
Organization: Punkadyne Industries(tm)

In article <1992Sep3.232558.15119@sserve.cc.adfa.oz.au> ccd@ccadfa.cc.adfa.oz.au (Carol C Denehy) writes:
>In article <AedVOOS00WBO01a=tW@andrew.cmu.edu> "Carol A. Buckner" <cb30+@andrew.cmu.edu> writes:
>>On 02-Sep-92 in Why Do Cats Sit on Paper?    
>>user Karen Schneider@panix.co writes:
>>>This has probably been addressed before, but why is it that
>>>cats will zero in on the teensiest piece of paper and plop themselves
>>>down on top of it?  Not that I'm complaining--it's just that after
>>>twelves years with His Royal Highness I'd like an answer, and he's
>>>not forthcoming...
>>
>>I have no idea why they prefer paper...Brandy likes not sit and sleep on
>>it--she plays around it.  I think she likes the noise it makes when she
>>"buries" something under it, then tries to fish it out.
>> 
>>Carol Buckner
>>Carnegie Mellon University 
>>            
>Penny isn't (yet?) addicted to sitting on what you are reading, but
>loves paper on the floor, esp newspapers (to get under), tissue
>paper (to shred), or anything else. Her current favourite is a
>piece of wrapping paper specifically given to her as a toy. She likes
>walking around on it and listening to it crackling and then sitting
>very tall and statue-like. And her imported grocery bag is still
>a good cave even tho it's a bit tired now.
>
>Carol Denehy

My theory has always been: They were born on it.  Really, most domestic
kittens are born on/in/around carboard or newspaper.  Even stray cats
will choose paper to have their kittens on.
 

walrus@bessel.umd.edu                                Cult Author of Fandom
==========================================================================
Pookie: A Momma's Kitty                            Mikey: The Hapless One  
                    Artoo: The Young and the Reckless
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
               And our newest star:  Paka the Wonder Bunny
From: diana@wetware.com (CatWoman )
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Diarrhea
Date: 26 Aug 92 15:09:26 GMT
Organization: Castle WetWare MouseCatcher

ardie@UIUC (Richard D. McClary) writes:

]      I have a female kitten, about 5 months old.  She has recurring 
] diarrhea - very watery (sp?).  The vet says she is totally asymptomatic and 
] right-on for growth and development and doesn't understand the diarrhea.  He 
] gave her a shot about 3 weeks ago (to slow down her intestinal function) and 
] put her on a combination antibiotic/peristalsis-slower, which worked until 
] about a week after the last pill.  Any ideas?  (Yes, stool samples have been 
] analyzed.  She is also flatulent on occasions.)

First off - are you giving her anything with milk, or milk
products in it?  Check even the dry food - there may be
dried milk powder in it.  Cats are known to be lactose
intolerant, and your kitten may be severely intolerant.

Ask your vet if you should be giving her kaopectate, or
whichever it is that can slow diarrhea.  Or if there
is a kitten version of that.

Keep checking the stool samples - something may show
up yet.

Check with another vet - a second opinion can't hurt.

Be sure she's not dehydrated.  Make sure she has lots`
of water available.

Try feeding her thoroughly cooked liver.  Apparently 
this can act as a - err - anti-laxative (IS there a
word for the opposite of a laxative?).

It might be a good idea to have a complete blood
work-up and x-rays.  She may have some of her digestive
organs blocked (pancreas comes to mind).

Diana
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: jlc5f@poe.acc.Virginia.EDU (Jean L. Cooper)
Subject: Re: cat and stove
Organization: University of Virginia
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 15:05:09 GMT

My boss's cats did this, and they didn't catch it in
time.  He had to buy a new range.  He says what he did
as a temporary measure was to put towels across the
top of the stove (while they were not using it, of course).
It seemed to stop the cats from using the "facility."
(This was an electric range.)  When he replaced the range,
he got a gas range, and the cats don't like it--the pilot
light is always on and they can't sit on the top like they
used to.
--
Jean L. Cooper    (BITNET: JLC5F@virginia.edu   CIS: 70253,1114)
"The true University of these days is a Collection of Books." 
                                           --Carlyle
From: gt1167b@prism.gatech.EDU (Christie Shackelford)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Strange cats
Date: 31 Aug 92 02:24:06 GMT
Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology


My cat Fermi (a 3 year old black female - beautiful!) also _loves_
to chase flashlight beams.  I haven't tried it with Dixie yet, but
I've never had a cat that wasn't absolutely fascinated by the
flashlight trick.

By the way, its a great game for kids to play with cats, because
they aren't as rough as they would be if they were touching the
cat while playing with it.  Less chance of kid or cat hurting each
other.  My niece and nephew ask for the flashlight every time they
come visit.

-- 
Christie Shackelford
gt1167b@prism.gatech.edu
Meow!
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: sbp@cbnewsh.cb.att.com (Sue Price)
Subject: hurricane relief
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1992 21:11:39 GMT
Summary: pets need relief too

Hi all you cat-lovers,

My paper published a list of items most urgently needed in the areas 
devastated by the hurricane.  In addition to the human items (canned 
food, clothing) which I had thought of, pet food, litter, leashes, and 
so on are also urgently needed.  Here's a great chance to help out people 
and our furry friends at the same time.


-- 

Sue Price
sbp@hound.att.com

Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: calamity@acca.nmsu.edu (Calamity Jane)
Subject: Re: Goodbye Thomasina-the-cute
Organization: New Mexico State University
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL5
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 1992 16:42:23 GMT

Distribution: usa
I am truly sorry for the loss of your friend and companion...I know how I 
would feel if my two babies were to suddenly die.  So,  have a hug from me
(and Newton and Puck)...take care.

Jane
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: 6845400@LMSC5.IS.LMSC.LOCKHEED.COM
Subject: Re: What breed is this?
Organization: Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 92 17:51:32 GMT

I had a manx that had a short puff of fur, like a cotton ball for a tail.
Her back legs were slightly longer than the front.
She was quite a character, she played fetch, came when you whistled, jumped
off of the roof to get down rather than go to the fence.  This she waited to
do until someone was walking up to the front door.

Kathy
------------------------- Original Article -------------------------
From: keller@ohstpy.mps.ohio-state.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: *****What breed is this? was PLEASE ADVISE*****
Date: 29 Aug 92 20:18:31 EDT



I would like to thank everyone who offered advice to us on our situation
with Madeline and "Bob".  They seem to be getting along much better,
although Bob is still nervous about a lot of attention.
Maddie is much happier thanks to the advice about keeping her in our room
for a while each day to 'give her a break' from bob.

My next question is one that the more experienced cat owners can answer. I want
to know what breed bob is.
He is a heavy male, about 15 pounds, all muscle. His face is narrow like that
of a Siamese. He's an all black short-hair. The most distinguishing feature
about him is his lack of tail.  It's about an inch long, and I can't tell
if this was a birth feature, or if something happened to his tail and the rest
was amputated. His back legs more muscular than Maddies, who's a female calico,
long hair. I don't think he's a Manx, I though they didn't have any tails at
all, although I've only seen one Manx in my lifetime, and doubt that I would be
lucky enough to have found one. I know, you're all going to say "take him to a
vet". I know this, I'm just wondering if this description is enough by itself
to distinguish him.

He seems to be working out just fine in what I consider to be his permanant
home. (Although he does love drinking out of the faucet while I'm brushing my
teeth. Is this normal, when he has his own full bowl???)

THanks again,
Lori Keller @ pso's account.




Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: gck@hector.uucp (24641-kemmerling)
Subject: furballs
Organization: Bellcore, Livingston, NJ
Distribution: US
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 92 19:39:23 GMT
Keywords: vaseline

I might have missed the response to this...so I'll ask it
again.

What is the recommended dosage for vaseline for furball removal.
How much and how often??

Thanx,


Gayle 'wish I was back in Illinois' Kemmerling
E-mail address: gck@hector.cc.bellcore.com 
Morristown, N.J.
(201) 829-3950
From: berthiau@IRO.UMontreal.CA (Andre Berthiaume)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Digging to China (was: Standing on the litter box rim)
Date: 27 Aug 92 00:27:15 GMT
Organization: Universite de Montreal

A friend's cat, Pistache, has a funny way of doing her business in the litter.
Apparently (and I had to see this to believe it), she carefully squats on a
corner rim of the litter pan with her butt end hanging over the litter and
does her duty.  Kinda funny, but at least she isnt heavy enough to tip the
pan! :)

Our kinski is one of those "dig til the cows come home" kitties.  When she's
in the litter doing her thing we can always tell she's in there because
she'd be scratching and scratching and scratching like there's no tomorrow
and she'd keep scratching even when she's hit plastic-bottom!  Silly kitty =)
AND, she occasionally bolts out of the litter box like someone else had
mentioned about their kitty =)  "Hallelujah! Everything came out fine!" 8)



- Eva


(ignore following .sig)



--
	Andre Berthiaume 	 |  "Sometimes you're the windshield,
				 |   Sometimes you're the bug"
    berthiau@iro.umontreal.ca    |			
				 |	       Dire Straits, The Bug
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: katbea@auto-trol.com (Kathy Beatty)
Subject: Re: Declawing question (Oh no, not another one...)
Organization: Auto-trol Technology Corporation -- Denver, Colorado
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL3
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1992 17:41:37 GMT

mkfeil@bcrki9.bnr.ca (Max Feil) writes:
: I am not a regular reader of this group, so I have missed any discussions on
: whether or not to declaw your cat. I looked at the FAQ but it is a bit short
: on personal opinions. Please email your responses, especially if you have
: saved some of these discussions.
: 
: In my case I have an adult female black Himalayan named "Hershey". She was
: already declawed and spayed when we got her at age two. Just recently we
: bought a pure bred black Persian kitten (Oreo) to "save" him from the pet
: store where we had been watching him for over two months. We didn't want him
: to grow up in a glass booth. He is now 6.5 months old, and we are planning to
: neuter him. Both cats are indoor cats, and take occasional trips into our
: enclosed back yard. My question concerns declawing. I would like to avoid
: this, but my wife thinks that it would be best to declaw the kitten for the
: sake of our older cat so that they are on equal footing, no pun intended.
: Neither of us are concerned about him scratching our furniture, it's just the
: older cat that is at issue.
: 
: Here goes...
: 
: What do you think?
: 

If your cats are not fighting, there is no reason to do this. Alice and Tris
basically hate each other. Tris is 8 years old and declawed. Alice is 1 year
old, not declawed. Even though Alice gets great pleasure out of tormenting
Tris, she has NEVER hurt her at all - she just makes Tris scream by tackling
her, etc. If you have no other reason for declawing, don't do it!


Kathy
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: katbea@auto-trol.com (Kathy Beatty)
Subject: Re: Why Do Cats Sit on Paper?
Organization: Auto-trol Technology Corporation -- Denver, Colorado
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL3
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 1992 15:44:35 GMT

lyndap@Novell.COM (Lynda Peterson) writes:
: 
: I always thought it was because it was cooler and smother than the regular  
: ol' bumpy carpet. My cat will sit on anything that is on the floor. She  
: especially loves books because she leans up against them so it looks like  
: she has an "elbow" up on it. Or, she just rests her chin on the book. Her  
: favorite papers are my husband's BIG notebooks he draws in or the horrible  
: junk mail that is forever showing up in our box.
: 

I've always called this behavior "place-sitting." For those of us who are
old enough to remember album covers, those used to be favorite place-sitting
locations.


Kathy
From: sw39+@andrew.cmu.edu (Susan R. Wagner)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Naming cat behaviors
Date: 2 Sep 92 17:35:42 GMT
	<H.mbD4zvhyDPU@harvee.billerica.ma.us>
	<1992Sep1.155200.10149@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU>
	<JOANM.92Sep2101349@moe.coe.uga.edu>
Distribution: usa
Organization: University Libraries - Technical Service, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA

>OK, I'm going to add my list now.  I tried to just let it go but I
>can't help it.  I am a post fiend!

I'm going to use your list, it is so great, to list all the "names" for
our cat, Jester.  My words/phrases are in paranthesis.
 
>Cat lying on back, paws in the air: sprawling ("tummy rub please")
>Cat/cats running through the apartment at top speed: Spazzed, wired
(apartment laps)
>Cat poking nose around, looking for trouble: snooping, snooping around
("hi" what kind of trouble can I get into"
>Cat peeing on door: STOP THAT!  (I have not had that experience...YET)
>Cat sitting with all legs tucked under: smooshed, furball, tucked
(sitting in a bread basket)
>Cat low to the ground, needing shocks: stalking, getting wired (pounce mode)
>Cat scratching on my furniture: AMOS! (I smile)
>Cat kneading on soft body parts and purring: sweetie kitty (doesn't do it)
>Cat purring: motor running, ideling <- my personal favorite (purring monster)
>Cat sucking of piece of sweater while doing above 2: nursing (doesn't do it)
>Cat sleeping: snoozin' (crashed)
>Cat 'snoozin' while 'sprawlin': you lazy bastard! (stretch monster)
>Cat attacking any human limb:  MONSTER CAT!!! AAAAK!  (stop or off to
the bathroom you go!!)
>Cat giving human 'that superior' look in front of company: Snot! (want
to play?)
 
 
>Well, that's all I can think of this early in the morning, most of
>them are pretty standard, but, hey, live with it. :)

What a great idea, how about everyone else's descriptions.

Susan and Jester
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: mmarolda@NeoSoft.com (Mike Marolda)
Subject: Re: *****PLEASE ADVISE- NEW CAT PROBLEMS*****
Organization: Neosoft Communications
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 1992 01:18:32 GMT

In article <13546.2a9e508b@ohstpy.mps.ohio-state.edu> keller@ohstpy.mps.ohio-state.edu writes:
>I need advise from anyone who has brought a new cat into a home that has
>already been claimed by another cat.

stuff deleted

>She follows Bob around and hisses at him every chance she gets.
>
>I'm just wondering how long it will be before Maddy gets used to this male.
>
>They have frequent mock fights wherein they paw furiously at the air in front
>of each other, no-one lands a hit. 
>
>What can I do to help Maddys acclamation to this new presence?
>I can't keep Bob if she's going to be constantly upset...
>

Sounds familiar.  This happened to us twice (with the same cats!)  The
first time is when we introduced a kitten (Eiffel) to an established cat
(Kismet).  At first we feared for Eiffel's life because she

a) was much smaller and
b) was to young to realize she was being threatened and didn't make much effort
to stay in hiding.

The second time was after we took Eiffel in to be fixed.  She was already in
heat by the time of the event and probably seemed like a completely different
cat to Kismet when she returned.

Anyway, since we'd broken the first rule of cat introduction (keeping them
separated by a door for a week until noses were adjusted) we figured we'd
wait it out.  Sure enough, the two gradually adjusted.  It took a couple of 
weaks each time but after that, they were playing and grooming each other 
like old buddies.  Don't worry if they tussle around.  Ours do constantly 
and exhibit the pawing behavior just before a pounce.  VERY rarely Kismet 
will becomepinned and start getting vocal.  Otherwise, all is one big 
happy family.


Good luck!

Mike Marolda  (mmarolda@neosoft.com)


-- 
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: david@master.uchicago.edu
Subject: Re: kitties have to be siblings?
Organization: University of Chicago, Department of Anatomy
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 04:11:42 GMT

In article <92240.112210KAJ2@psuvm.psu.edu>, <KAJ2@psuvm.psu.edu> writes:
> Hi it's my first post......
> My husband and I are looking to get two kitties.  They'll be our firsts.  My qu
> estion is this...we want two kitties to keep each other company and I've read
> that they should be the same gender, but do they also have to be siblings?
> 
> The animal shelters in our area don't have any siblings, and circumstances
> dictate that we get them soon so I don't know as I want to wait until a pair of
> kitties become available.  Help?  Anyone have any experience with this?
> 
> Thanks, Karen.

They don't necessarilly  have to be the same gender -- persuming you neuter 
them -- but female/female pairs and female/male pairs seem to do best.  They
don't need to be siblings.  We got our first cat from a shelter (8 wks old) 
and our second a few days later (8 wks or so , a female; the first a male).
There were some confrontations initially, lots of hissing and spitting, but
after a few days what seemd like fights to the death gradually became play.

If you get the two kittens at the same time before one has a chance to 
establish that the house is "His/Hers", it should go smoothly.  Otherwise 
just be prepared for lots of posturing and fighting, and be ready to give
emotional support, but not interference;  let them work it out.  The first
cat will need to be comforted, and if you hold and pet the new cat that will
show that it is part of the family and belongs (and will put your smell on 
it).

I hope that helps !  If you have any direct questions, feel free to reply.



				-David
From: das@voodoo.boeing.com (Deb Schwartz)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Fake peeing
Date: 27 Aug 92 16:33:30 GMT
Organization: Yet Another Graphics Project, Bellevue, WA

>In article <1274@ncrclm.ClemsonSC.NCR.COM> lsnow@ncrclm.ClemsonSC.NCR.COM (Linda Snow) writes:
>>You know how a male cat looks when it sprays?  How it backs up to something,
>>raises its tail and then the tail quivers as it sprays?
>>
>>Well, my neutered male cat does that but nothing comes out!  He does
>>it quite often.  Understand, I'm glad nothing comes out but I'm
>>wondering why he performs this pantomime.
>
When I brought Oreo home 2 years ago (neutered male, 8 at the time) he
immediately started doing exactly the same thing!  As all my cats have always
been female, I had never actually seen male spraying before, but figured out
that's what he was doing.  Almost gave me a heart attack, but I quickly
realized nothing was coming out!  He always does it right before I feed him,
and luckily, it's still just the motions, never the real thing. 

Debbie Schwartz // das@voodoo.boeing.com  // or uunet!bcstec!voodoo!das 
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: kathy@aardvark.ucs.uoknor.edu 
Subject: TEST
Originator: usenet@kittyhawk.ecn.uoknor.edu
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1992 05:13:00 GMT
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: University Computing Services, Norman, OK

This is just a test.
............................................................................
Kathy Greenwood                |  
Math Major (believe it or not!)| 
University of Oklahoma         |   
                               |   
.............................................................................
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats