HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: mv0t+@andrew.cmu.edu (Meg Alison Veily)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Names
Date: 20 Nov 92 20:43:47 GMT
Organization: Electrical & Computer Engineering, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA

>     Yes, I think it is quite normal for a cat to develop "more names than a
>Russian novel"; after all, don't well-loved children often have many
nicknames?

The (probably incomplete) list of nicknames for my cat Brilla
(pronounced Bree'-ya, it means brightness in Spanish) in no particular
order, with references as to who uses it if not me.

  Cheese! (like Brie cheese, yes, -roommate #1's friend)
  Bree
  Miss Kitty
  Mrs. Kitty (I don't know why I use this one...)
  freak (roommate #1, not limited to cats)
  itty bitty kitty (she is less than 8 pounds)
  pretty kitty
  kitty (ooh, how original)
  KITTY! (roommate #2, just before she 'attacks' Brilla to pet her)
  George (roommate #2, "I will love her and squeeze her, and call her
George...", from Bugs Bunny)
  busy kitty (she isn't, most of the time...)
  zippy kitty (the crazies)
  breezy kitty
  vicious beast (when she is playing with her springy mouse)
  Bright eyes
  baldy (she has a small bad spot on her head, -roommate #1)
  cat! (everyone, used to express general annoyance)
  Meow kitty (when she talks back and forth with me)
  dumb cat (when she hides in my closet behind my steamer trunk where
she KNOWS she is not allowed)
  little one (when she is being cute and peaceful and curled up in a
ball at naptime)

Well, like I said, this probably isn't all of them, but I can't think of
any more right now. You know, looking at this list, alot of these
nicknames say as much or more about the people who came up with them
than they say about the cat!

Coming soon, a formal introduction to our recently acquired second cat,
Kate. Stay tuned...

-Meg
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: morin@noao.edu (Marg Morin)
Subject: Re: rubber bands and milk rings
Organization: National Optical Astronomy Observatories, Tucson AZ
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1992 16:49:20 GMT

Query: Is it safe to let one's cat play with rubber bands? I thought
that the fact that they're so flexible (and elastic) might cause
them likely to get caught in a cat's throat or tangled in a paw/claw.

I let my cats (Chessie and Peeper) play with paper balls, milk rings,
breadbag twisties, and a few other things they find interesting, but
I try to keep rubber bands away from them. Is this unnecessary?

Thanks in advance.
-- 
 The Seeker		peace to those who come in peace 
 (morin@noao.edu)	    pity to those who don't
From: sat@nut.tridom.com (Stephen Thomas)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Kidney Failure
Date: 17 Nov 92 17:33:35 GMT
Article-I.D.: tridom.BxvFG0.FD2
Reply-To: sat@nut.tridom.com
Organization: AT&T Tridom

It seems that Ellington (American shorthair, ~7 months old), our newest family 
member, has lost virtually all of his kidney function. The vet's still running
tests (they're trying to schedule an ultrasound), and she doesn't really want 
to say too much until all the tests are complete, but I understand that Ellington's
chances for surviving are not very good. I do have a few questions, though,
especially anyone who's had similar experiences.

1) Is there anything we can suggest to the vet (just in case she doesn't), to
   help make him a little more comfortable? Is there anything we can do
   ourselves?

2) Any ideas on the cause? Is it hereditary, or could it be caused by a disease
   or infection? If the latter is a possibility, what steps can we take to
   protect Criseyde (Russian Blue, ~8 years old)? We've only had Ellington
   for a few months, and she hasn't yet accepted him, but should we be
   worried about her emotional reaction to the loss of a sibling?

Thanks,

---

Stephen Thomas   AT&T Tridom   (404-514-3522)
email: sat@eng.tridom.com, attmail!tridom!sat
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: berthiau@IRO.UMontreal.CA (Andre Berthiaume)
Subject: Re: Feline Hierarchies
Organization: Universite de Montreal
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 01:26:29 GMT

vboynton@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Virginia R Boynton) writes:

>...  I'm just curious -- how 
>many of you multi-cat homes out there have noticed that your cats have no 
>established hierarchy?  Or a variety of hierarchies, depending on 

>Ginny, Salem, Emma, and Whiskers


Hm, I got Finster first when he was just 11 weeks old.  He's now a 14 
month old netuered 12 pound mound of fur.  We got Kinski when she was
about 10 months old and she is now a 15 month old spayed white calico
feline food disposal unit.

It didn't take too long for the two of them to get used to each other
and become litter mates (less than a week, I think).  And from what I
see it seems to be an equalitarian (does this word exist?) existence.
They play together, they eat together, and thank goodness they don't 
go into the litter box together! (As if Finster wasn't already getting
big for the litter box! His head and chest stick out of the covered
litter box).  I have noticed that when it comes to eating, one will 
eat first and then the other will take his or her turn.  So sometimes
it's Kinski who gets to eat first and sometimes it's the other way 
around.  No fights, no fussing about it.  There's plenty of food to go
around :)  I did notice the other day when I was giving them a little
catnip to mellow out with.  Finster reacts hardly at all to the stuff
but Kinski seems to mellow out with the stuff.  Well, anyway, Kinski 
was digging her nose into the container that I put the catnip in and 
Finster sauntered over to get a bit of the stuff too, but Kinski took
a swat at him as if saying "Hey! This is mine!"  I think this might have
been the first time  I have ever seen something like that happen 
between those two.

Also, sometimes when I give them some Pounce as a treat, I would
usually toss one across the room for them to get.  Finster, being the 
more enthusiastic about the stuff will usually get it first. I try to
toss some in Kinski's direction too.  Sometimes if Finster is being a
bit too greedy he would just swipe it away from her.  Sometimes he'll
just let it sit there in front of her as if afraid to infringe upon 
her space for the treat.  Strange kitties ;D  Kinski just isn't as 
enamoured of the stuff as Finster is.

Well, I didn't mean to get so long winded about this. Just thought I'd
share a bit about how these two operate :)


- Eva

= Eva Chan 		| Never lose my youth, I hope it never ends. =
= bunny@gnu.ai.mit.edu	| Hope I never lose my wallet!               =
= on IRC: bunny 	|	- Bosstones			     =
=			| 					     =






--
	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: aki <aki@akidamme-233324.worldbank.org>
Subject: Re: rubber bands and milk rings
X-Xxmessage-Id: <A736AC4F0D0A2631@akidamme-233324.worldbank.org>
X-Xxdate: Mon, 23 Nov 92 20:42:07 GMT
Organization: The World Bank
X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.1.1d11
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 20:44:06 GMT

In article <23NOV199214284471@nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov> Kenneth Hall,
rusty@nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov writes:
>No offense, but you know better than to step on that lid, it sounds 
>very dangerous to me to be throwing a sharp object like a cat food lid 
>for a cat to fetch.  I personally would not even hold the lid down for 
>them to like out of concern they could cut their tongue.


..uh...I THINK she meant the _PLASTIC_ snap on lids from cat food cans..


anyway..

Tigger, who is declawed (and has been except for the first 7 months)
LOVES rubber bands.  I've had over 9 cats over the past 25 years.  Each
cat (as everyone can attest) is unique.  Tigger will not chew on the
rubber band, instead he will let it dangle off one of his lower teeth
and walk around the house like he's got a dead mouse!  Once in awhile
he'll hold one end with his teeth and pull the other end with one of
his front paws.  He'll then let go of it from his mouth and shoot the
band across the room just to race after it and "kill" it by holding it
in his mouth and kicking it with his back hopper paws.  Then start
the whole thing over again.  I've had almost all of my cats declawed
(all were indoor only) and have never seen any personality disorders
or any decrease in ability.  The only thing I've seen was a fortune in
mohogony and teak furniture saved.  Not to mention feet, arms and
hands.  BTW, I've only ever had the front claws removed.

Strangely though, Tigger likes to take his toys (especially rubber bands)
and "drown" them in his water bowl.  Has anyone ever seen their
cats do this?

-Aki
The Worldbank Wash. D.C.
E-mail: aki@akidamme-233324.worldbank.org
(202)458-1112
DoD 0628
PBA 2294
*************************************
"How come the best bowling ball for
me is always the one I don't own?"
*************************************
From: alclark@rwasic27.aud.alcatel.com (Amy L Clark)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: games that cats play
Date: 23 Nov 1992 15:56:41 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

Bagheria (Baggy) likes to play a game when I am eating my cereal.
He waits until I get the spoon with the cereal and milk in it
about halfway to my mouth and then tries to bump my arm with
his head so that cereal and milk will fly everywhere or spill
down the front of my shirt.  He does this until I am finished
eating.  I have to be very crafty at pretending like I'm not
taking the spoon directly to my mouth or he will bump my arm
at exactly the right time.  Of course, he has the most fun
(scores the most points?) when he can sneak up on me and
bump my arm thus taking me totally by surprise and doing the
worst damage.

Along the same lines, when I refill the water bowl in the mornings
for his brother and him, Baggy will wait until I get the full bowl
of water about halfway between my waist and the floor when I am
trying to set the bowl down on the kitties' place mat and then
bump my arm spilling water everywhere.  I guess the amout of water
which splashes out is proportional to the number of points he scores.
I usually fake Baggy out by switching the water bowl to my other hand
when it gets to about the right height so that he bumps an empty hand.
That's okay.  It makes the game more challenging for him.

BTW, thanks to everyone who sent their sympathy for my mom's cat
Shalimar.  My mother is still extremely depressed, so I am going
to bundle up all of your supportive emails and give them to my
mother to read.  I think it will really help her if she knows that
people care and grieve the same way when their babies were put to
sleep as my mother does.
From: klier@iscsvax.uni.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Cat Weight Gain--FROM WHERE?
Date: 20 Nov 92 20:00:05 -0600
Organization: University of Northern Iowa

lis@chaos.cs.brandeis.edu (Elisabeth Riba) writes:
> When I last took Boopsie to the vet (September) she weighed between 12
> & 13 pounds and the vet told me she'd HAVE to shed some poounds.  So,
> I've put her on IAMS Less Active, and slowly reduced the amount I'm
> feeding her to 1/2 cup per day--the minimum for her weight.  

There isn't a whole lot of difference in calories/cup between "regular"
and "lite" catfoods-- amazingly little, in fact (maybe 50 cal, if
I remember correctly).  

Are you feeding the 1/2c based on your _vet's_ recommendation, or are
you using a table on the back of the bag?  That one is probably calculated
to _maintain_ the same weight in an average cat.  Boopsie seems to have
an efficient metabolism, though... ;-)

Personally, I'd be talking to the vet again and getting his/her feeding
recommendations AND trying to increase her activity level.

I'll have Max, Mark's fat cat, over Christmas again  for about a month...
my new housemate has a treadmill* that she works out her pudgy cocker on--
puts him in harness, attaches harness to treadmill, sets treadmill for 1.5
mi/hr for 1 hr...  Max may just be getting a shiny new harness for 
Christmas!!! ;-)

(*Both Deanna and I have cold-triggered asthma, so we work out inside in the
winter...   I just never thought of including critters in the workout!!!)

Kay Klier  Biology Dept  UNI
From: head5181@iscsvax.uni.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Help on Building Aquarium.
Date: 17 Nov 92 02:32:32 -0600
Organization: University of Northern Iowa

I was wondering if anyone out there has any information on building an
aquarium? Any replys are appreciated.

Thanks.
From: wd5j@vax5.cit.cornell.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Rabbit neuter, part II
Date: 19 Nov 92 10:58:02 EST
Distribution: rec
Organization: Cornell University

My computer exploded before I could finish the previous post.  I wanted
to say that the anesthetic used on Darwin was an injection (for induction)
of Ketamine and diazepam followed by isoflurane gas.  He had an IV catheter
in one ear for fluids (and access in case of emergency), and a pressure
monitor in the other.  The anesthesiologists here are very thorough and
made things safe.  Now D.'s all healed, and back to running around the
multitudinous catsdogs.  He's 5 months old and in spite of the long bout
of diarrhea he once had he's growing like a bun, now at about 9 pounds.  I
love that rabbit.

Ilana Reisner
Maccabee's vet
Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: bmheap@rodan.acs.syr.edu ()
Subject: fancy mice and genetics
Organization: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 92 15:54:48 EST


Hi all,

	I am interested in information on mice and mice breeding.  I have
read that there is an organization called The American Fancy Rat and Fancy
Mouse Association and I'd like to know how to get in touch with them and/or
anyone who breeds fancy mice or rats for show.  (Yes, there are mouse shows
just like cat shows and dog shows, or so I've heard.)
	More specifically, I'm interested in fancy coat colors and patterns
-- in mice or in rats.
	I'd also like info on the best conditions to keep mice in and
suggestions for cages.
	Please send me information, or post to this group. 

My address on internet is: bmheap@rodan.acs.syr.edu
Xref: sparky rec.pets:3640 rec.pets.cats:13929
From: dcw20@ccc.amdahl.com (Dave Whitehead)
Newsgroups: rec.pets,rec.pets.cats
Subject: Free to good home.
Keywords: Free to good home.
Date: 19 Nov 92 18:09:52 GMT
Reply-To: dcw20@juts.ccc.amdahl.com ()
Distribution: ba
Organization: Amdahl Corporation, Sunnyvale CA

Mikey needs a home!

Mikey is a 2 year old gray and white neutered cat.  We found Mikey about
a year ago, when he wandered into our backyard.  Mikey had been in a
fight, and he had a large abscess on his jaw.  We took him to the VET,
and nursed him back to health, and he has been temporarily living at my
parent's house.  My Father liked cats, and since they already had one cat,
they decided to watch Mikey for a while until we could find a home for him.
Recently, my Father passed away, and my mother no longer wants to have any
cats in the house.  We are unable to keep Mikey for ourselves, because
our two cats are too territorial.

Mikey is an EXTREMELY LOVING/AFFECTIONATE, playful cat. He always uses the
litter box, he is not a picky eater, he doesn't spray, and he does not
climb on tables and counters.  Mikey loves to be outside, and he gets
along with other animals and children.  Mikey has his own pet tee-pee
that he likes to sleep in at night.

Mikey is current on all of his shots, including leukemia.  He has
recently been to the VET for a teeth cleaning, bath, flea dip, and
checkup.

Mikey is free to a good home where he will be cared for.  He has
everything a cat needs.  He comes with a litter box, cat carrier, food
bowls, food, litter, etc.

We have pictures of Mikey, or you can come and see him.  We live in San
Jose near Los Gatos.

If you are interested, please call Sheri work(408-746-6334) or
Dave work(408-944-5097) or call us at home(408-266-9066).

P.S. Mikey is 100% gauranteed.  If you are not satisfied with Mikey for
any reason, simply return him and we will find another home for him.
Mikey's welfare is most important to us.
Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: rnakkula@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Robin J Nakkula)
Subject: Re: Help! I am desperite
Organization: The Ohio State University
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 00:24:59 GMT

It sounds like poor Mickey has mites.  We've never been able to cure them
when they've popped up in our rats; simply quarantine those rats from all
our others (for the rest of their lives) to keep it from spreading.  I
believe that about 10 years ago the only suggestion we got was to cut
off a piece of a Shell No-Pest Strip, and paste it to the upper corner
of the cage where the rattie couldn't get at it (we never put this into
practice so I don't know if it will work. Perhaps your vet has a newer or
better suggestion for mites.  Sorry.

@@@---Robin Nakkula

Newsgroups: rec.pets,rec.pets.herp
From: mayfiej@ucunix.san.uc.edu (Josh)
Subject: help my newt!
Summary: how do I feed a baby newt?
Organization: The University of SINcinnati
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 03:24:27 GMT

I own three firebellied newts.  Two are mature 'adult' newts and my newest
one is very small- about two inches from nose to tail.  The larger two
have no trouble getting around underwater, where there food is.  I feed them
brine shrimp and tubifex worms as was suggested by the pet store.  The little
newt seems to be afraid of the water, though, and I don't think he's been
eating.  I've never seen him go in on his own, and when I make him swim,
he just gets really scared and flails madly.  The pet store people said he
was okay, but since I doubt he's been eating, I want to know if there's
anything else I could give him, or if his behavior is normal.  (Could he just
be waiting for a quiet moment to go down for dinner?)
Please reply via e-mail to guarantee that I get your response.
Dudley (the baby newt) needs your help!
From: sstockw1@cc.swarthmore.edu (Sarah Stockwell)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Re: Ferret vomiting
Date: 16 Nov 92 17:08:34 GMT
Organization: Swarthmore College

Here's a summary of the replies I received via e-mail, which I thought
might be of general interest.

In article <VNYSB0AX@cc.swarthmore.edu> sstockw1 writes:
>
>Last night Miniver started running around the room frantically, stopping in
>a corner and retching, and running to another corner.  After several
>attempts, she vomited up something that looked like it used to be a corn

If she continues I would start worrying about it.  If she's stopped, it
was probably just something she ate.  Percy does that occasionally, I don't
know why.

Keep an eye on her and make sure she's not getting dehydrated (pull the
skin
up on the back of her neck and pinch it firmly.  If it sticks where it is
she's dehydrated, if it bounces right back she's O.K.)  If she is
dehydrated
you have to get her to a vet *IMMEDIATELY*!  Don't wait until tomorrow to 
see if she gets better.  Ferrets can die very quickly when they get
dehydrated.
If she's not eating "quite right", then you might want to get some
gatorade to make sure she's getting enough electrolytes (which is one of
the major problems when they get sick & dehydrated).

Also, make sure she's defecating O.K.  If she's not it's probably an
intestinal blockage.  Give her a laxative (Laxatone, Lax-aire, Laxastat),
about 1 1/2 inches.  If she's not defecating properly the next day, then
take her to a vet.

Another hint if she's not eating well, get some Sustical (from grocery
or drug store).  It's a high calorie milkshake-like drink that comes in
a can.  I don't know what section it would be in, though.  

One of the first books I got said that vomiting meant that the ferret 
was near death, so I panicked the first few times too.  But after a while
I realized that unless there are other signs, vomiting/gagging isn't 
necessarily anything to worry about.  As long as it isn't continual
or long lasting, and the ferret doesn't seem to be in any distress 
afterwards, then just keep an eye on her and check for dehydration and
blockages.

(By Nancy Hartman)

--Sarah
Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: sharon@phoneme.shs.uiuc.edu (Sharon Morrison)
Subject: Re: Darwin was neutered!
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Distribution: rec
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 20:03:40 GMT

In article <22568@drutx.ATT.COM> njl@druhi.ATT.COM (Nancy J. LaRoche)  
writes:
> In article <1992Nov18.153622.16034@vax5.cit.cornell.edu>,  
wd5j@vax5.cit.cornell.edu writes:
> > Darwin...was neutered on Oct. 25th or so...
> What about others out there?  What have your experiences been?  Anyone  
have
> any ideas about what could make such a difference between this poster's  
and
> my experiences?
When I got my rabbit, Woody, neutered he was about 6 months old (the vet  
said to wait until he was done with most of his growth).  The vet used  
that isoflour**** gas that everyone says is preferred for rabbits.  He is  
also very experienced with rabbits and teaches at the U of IL teaching  
hospital.  He also had me fast Woody for 12 hours (which I thought didn't  
help rabbits, but he said it usually helps some, just not as much as a for  
other animals).
When I got Woody home that afternoon he seemed fine, just not very active.   
The next day he wasn't too active (until later in the day) and hadn't  
eaten much.  All in all, it took almost four days before Woody was eating  
full rations again.  However, the whole time he did not seem sick and  
after 24 hours was hopping around (o.k., so he didn't do any bunny  
air-twists for a few days).  I was very concerned about Woody's lack of  
appetite, though the vet said it just sounded like Woody was being a baby.   
(At first I thought this was strange, but maybe he was right - Woody would  
still eat, but he only wanted treats!).  Anyway, despite the stress to  
both us, he is very happy and healthy now.

Sharon Morrison
Newsgroups: rec.pets