HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: ault@engin.umich.edu (Matthew Ault)
Subject: Re: Tail stood up straight, what's up??
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 92 15:41:47 EDT
Organization: University of Michigan Engineering, Ann Arbor

In article <1992Aug17.015111.1160@trl.oz.au> hui@apaturia.trl.OZ.AU (Alvaro Hui) writes:
>Hi,
>	I brought my cat to a friend's house yesterday. When I
>released her to wander around on the new floor, her tail stood up
>straight all the time during the visit. What 's up??

Our little darlings do this all the time.  I just interperted it as
normal behavior.  Sort of an "I'm happy/alert/look at me" sign, as they
don't normally do it when they're slinking around in stealth mode.

But then, how stealthy can a 5 mo. old kitten *really* be? :^)

-matt & Peanut & Pandora


-- 
======================================================================
|   Matthew A. Ault    | Zarquon's knees!  Did I *ask* for an        |
| ault@engin.umich.edu |  existential elevator?  --Zaphod Beeblebrox |
======================================================================
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: matthews_k@cubldr.colorado.edu
Subject: Re: HELP!!  Cat licking self raw!
Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 23:53:55 GMT

In article <lis.714358386@chaos.cs.brandeis.edu>, lis@chaos.cs.brandeis.edu (Elisabeth Riba) writes:
> All summer, I've noticed bloody spots on Boopsie's heel.  I've assumed
> she kept injuring herself somewhere.  Tonight, I noticed a new and
> recent bloody spot.  Then, later, I saw her licking that spot very
> heavily and there was fresh blood again.  My bedsheets and floors
> (fortunately wood, not carpet) are spotted with blood smears from
> places she's sat.  
> Beyond taking Boopsie to the vet, what can I do to stop this?  
> Other stories, advice and sympathy greatly appreciated.
> 
> Boopsie's back legs:
>     \     |
>      \    |
>      /   / <--where the raw spots are
>     /   /
> ,--/   /
> |_____/
> -- 
> --------------->Elisabeth Anne Riba * lis@chaos.cs.brandeis.edu<---------------
> "I want to be Robin to Bush's Batman."  Dan Quayle
> Quick!  Notify DC.  I think it's time for another 900 number poll.
> "We are enjoying a sluggish economy & not enjoying it very much."  --Bush


My cat has rodent ulcers in his mouth, but the vet told me they also often 
appear on the legs in exactly the spots you mention.  If that is what's
happening with your cat, he may need cortisone shots to clear it up.  It may
recurr, Charcoal gets them back when it's been too long between shots.

Good luck!

Kellie
internet::matthews_k@cubldr.colorado.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: ericj@hwcae.Honeywell.COM (Eric Jacobsen)
Subject: Re: Leaving cats alone.
Organization: Honeywell, Air Transport Division; Phoenix, AZ
	<1992Aug21.172534.24097@porthos.cc.bellcore.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 19:42:37 GMT

In article <1992Aug21.172534.24097@porthos.cc.bellcore.com> gck@hector.uucp (24641-kemmerling) writes:

   > I have a question regarding how long you can leave cats in an apartment.
   > We are going on vacation next week and do not have anybody to look after
   > our two cats.  Does anybody know how long you can leave cats in an
   > apartment by themselves?  (Assuming we leave them plenty of water and food).

   The longest I ever left my guys was 2 1/2 days.  I wouldn't leave them 
   a week.  Many times there is someone at the vet who would 'kitty sit'
   for people.  Please check out that option.  I would be afraid the
   water would get tipped over or any number of other freak things.
   Another option is to just board them.

   Just my opinion. 

Regarding the tipping the water over problem: We always leave the toilet seats up so
that if something does happen the animals have an emergency water supply. I know this
sounds gross, but a lot of animals drink out of the john anyway, and as long as the
bowl is clean there shouldn't be a problem.

A friend of mine left her cat for 10 days with arrangements for a "friend" to stop by
and refill the food bowl, etc. The "friend" turned out to be unreliable and NEVER stopped
by to feed the cat. Fortunately, she had left the toilet seat up so Pooh at least had
water. He also was a bit less obese than he had been.
--
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
* Eric Jacobsen        Honeywell Inc.                           *
|     1-602-436-3941   Commercial Flight Systems, Air Transport |
* HVN       436-3941   US Mail: P.O. Box 21111, MS 2Q34C1       *
| FAX 1-602-436-1310   Phoenix AZ 85036-1111                    |
* INet: ericj@hwcae.az.honeywell.com                            *
| UUCP: uunet!hwcae.az.honeywell.com!ericj@uunet.uu.net         |
* The opinions expressed are my own and therefore better        *
| thought out than my employer's.                               |
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: king@cbnewsk.cb.att.com (joyce.l.king)
Subject: Re: flea control
Organization: AT&T
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1992 21:52:18 GMT
Summary: Naturally

> 
> I spoke with an exterminator the other day about using BORAX
> products at flea deterents.  He said DO NOT USE ANY BORAX POWDER IN
> YOUR CARPETS!!!

Of course he said that...he's an exterminator!  The exterminators in
South Florida and Texas use Borax.  Sometimes they put some blue stuff
in with it so it doesn't look like Borax and so they can charge $200 to
do your house.  My vet in South florida told me to use it.  None of my
animals (dogs, cats, ferrets, parrot) has ever gotten ill from it.  I
have never gotten ill from it, and I feel a lot safer around Borax than
I do around some of the flea bombs, sprays, and powders out there.  Pick
your poison!
> 
> All Borax products contain Boric Acid, which is a toxic substance.
> When applied to your carpets, it does sink into the carpets and
> dry/kill the flea eggs, but every time you vacuum your carpets it
> breaks down the molecules of the Boric Acid and spews them back into
> the air.  In essence, you are poisoning yourselves and your pets.

Sorry, that doesn't sound chemically possible to me.  How does vacuuming
"break down" the molecules of Boric Acid?  Let's see, Boric Acid has
3 hydrogen atoms, three oxygen atoms, one Boron atom per molecule....

Any chemists out there who would know if the vacuum "breaks down" and
spews deadly molecules into the air?

-- 
                       Joyce Andrews King

Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: phz@cadence.com (Pete Zakel)
Subject: Re: Hairballs
Organization: Cadence Design Systems
Date: Sat, 15 Aug 1992 04:16:22 GMT

In article <1992Aug12.195331.20994@porthos.cc.bellcore.com>  
> 
> Is the stuff you're talking about kinda like brown vaseline?  I got
> some of that from the vet one time and had to put it on their front
> paws and they licked it off (I say they because I had 2 cats) or it
> could have been put in their food (they would eat around it tho).  The 
> veg oil works tho.   He doesn't throw up regularly, but when he does
> it's definitely a BIG hairball.

The brown Vaseline stuff *IS* Vaseline (actually, not really Vaseline which
is a brand name, but petroleum jelly, also known as petrolatum, usually mixed
with malt).  One brand name is Petromalt.

With many cats, though, you can just use straight petroleum jelly (Vaseline
if you must, but house brands are far cheaper and exactly the same).  It is
MUCH cheaper than Petromalt and works just the same.  Both my cats love the
stuff (straight petrolatum, that is) and just lick it off my fingers when I
present it to them.

One thing, though -- DON'T mix it with their food.  To be effective, it
should be given about half-way between meals.  If they are having pre-hairball
symptoms (frequent hacking), give it to 'em once a day.  Once they've passed
the current ball of hair in the stomach, a once-a-week preventative treatment
should be all that's needed.

Note that some cats WILL NOT eat Petromalt OR petroleum jelly no matter how
hard you try.  It's a matter of taste and how stubborn your cats are.  But if
they'll eat plain petroleum jelly you save quite a bit over any more expensive
solution.

-Pete Zakel
 (phz@cadence.com or ..!uunet!cadence!phz)

The First Rule of Program Optimization:
	Don't do it.

The Second Rule of Program Optimization (for experts only!):
	Don't do it yet.
		-- Michael Jackson
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: ccd@ccadfa.cc.adfa.oz.au (Carol C Denehy)
Subject: Re: Menu Suggestions from Cats
Organization: None, and I like it like that
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1992 04:11:07 GMT

In article <1992Aug10.222717.29971@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu> jhoskins@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (James M Hoskins) writes:
>Down the cat food aisle in the grocery store.  Umm, Ummmm good.  There's
>special beef dinner, seafood catch, gourmet stew, chicken treats...My friend
>heard the following observation by a TV comic, so credit to him/her for the
>following funny observation.  Those voles, mice, and birds that
>your cat brings home to the door step are wrongly interpreted by us humans as
>special little "gifts" of appreciation for their human companions--what are
>they REALLY; they're menu suggestions.  Forget the seafood catch, your cat
>is trying to tell you that she would much prefer the braized sparrow livers!
>
>
>**

I saw a cartoon in the humour paper at (yes, really) Ohio State a 
few weeks ago with a cat addressing a room full of business types
saying, "What we really want is dead mouse flavored cat food."

Carol Denehy
From: lyndap@Novell.COM (Lynda Peterson)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Hairballs
Date: 12 Aug 92 18:35:59 GMT
Organization: Novell, Inc.

In article <1992Aug12.165434.18060@porthos.cc.bellcore.com>  
gck@hector.uucp (24641-kemmerling) writes:
> 
> I have to admit I'm not real good about grooming my Boo regularly.
> I have found that if you put a teaspoon or so of oil in their food
> it helps their coats and helps them with hairballs.
> 
> 
> Gayle 'trying to think of a clever .sig' Kemmerling
> Bellcore
> Morristown, N.J.
> (201) 829-3950

_________

I have to respond to this one because I have a "Boo" too. I bought her  
around Halloween and she is all black (Maine Coon). My Boo throws up  
hairballs regularly. She hates being brushed. Talk about growling! I have  
given her some sticky stuff from the pet store that is supposed to help.  
Has anyone tried or heard anything about this stuff?
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: brianm@sco.com (Brian Moffet)
Subject: Re: My cat don't like dry food, any help??
Organization: The Santa Cruz Operation, Inc.
Date: Mon, 10 Aug 1992 19:06:10 GMT

dmillard@encore.com (Debbie Millard) writes:
>could turn into an annoying habit of kitty begging food
>at the table.  This is *not* something you to happen,
>especially when you have guests.

Funny, but Diablo, the 16 pound sandwich snatcher, will not beg for food
at the dinner table.  He will bego for food when I am cooking it, making
sandwiches for lunches, etc..  He will also come up rather expectantly
when we are finished with our meal.  We will sometimes give him
leftovers.  While we're eating, he'll usually sit someplace and watch.

brian moffet
--
"Face it, Chuck.  Taken as an aggregate, the human race is a stupid, sorry lot."
                           -- Jonathan Quist

brianm@sco.com  or uunet!sco!brianm                    Speaking for Myself
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: carter@cmptrc.lonestar.org (Carter Bennett)
Subject: Re: How many cats is too many?
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1992 15:47:28 GMT
Organization: CompuTrac Inc., Richardson TX

>> and an older calico.  Help!  Can I resist?  He's considering getting both
>> white kittens.
>I vote to rescue the white kittens.  The more the merrier and you will give 
>them a loving home. At the shelter they run the risk of being gassed.

I know you wouldn't consider getting them if you didn't have the means to
support them, so enough said on that.  The only other real consideration
is whether you have the room for them.  I am firmly set on two cats for now.
My living quarters won't provide enough perches and napping spots for three
cats.  If you don't feel cramped with four, then six will probably work out
fine!

Carter R. Bennett, Jr. - Scientist      No matter where you go...
carter@scilab.lonestar.org                 ...tty!
KI5SR
From: amyk@netcom.com (Amy Kurtzman)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: How to turn an outdoor kitty to an indoor kitty?
Date: 13 Aug 92 00:40:01 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Amy's Boca-By-The-Sea Resort (sm)

In article <seWDzYC00iUyM1AMgO@andrew.cmu.edu> sw39+@andrew.cmu.edu (Susan R. Wagner) writes:
>Hello again,
>
>I have a friend who is trying to teach her cat to be an indoor cat. 
>Apparently her cat was having problems with neighbors feeding her odd
>things that make her get sick.  I also thing she was having a problem
>getting hurt (by other cats) all the time.  Anyway,  she has decided
>that her cat should be indoors.  What steps should she take and how long
>will it take her cat to adjust?  It has already been a month with no
>realy success.  I am not sure what "no success" is since she wasn't
>realy specific?  Thanks in advance.

The major problems we had converting Bub (r.i.p.) into an indoor cat
were teaching him to use a litter box and convincing him he would be
happier living indoors.

We finally made a breakthrough with the litter box when we added a
layer of dirt and leaves from the backyard on top of the regular
litter. That seemed to help communicate the purpose of the box.

Your friend should be very careful when entering/exiting her home. Her
cat will probably try to slip out the door given the slightest
opportunity. The cat may spend a lot of time sitting by the door
waiting to be let out. More toys and extra playtime may help distract
the cat from plotting an escape.

-- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Amy Kurtzman                   |  "By August I'll be just a puddle."
amyk@netcom.COM                |     
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: pinky@milton.u.washington.edu (Robert Burbank)
Subject: Re: Cat likes cantelope???
Organization: University of Washington
Date: Sat, 15 Aug 1992 16:20:07 GMT

a cat of mine LOVES cantelop.  she will lick on a slice
as long as i let her.  she will not tolerate use consuming
some with out having her fair share.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: rmilner@zia.aoc.nrao.edu (Ruth Milner)
Subject: Re: starting to win a little
Reply-To: rmilner@zia.aoc.nrao.edu (Ruth Milner)
Organization: National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Socorro NM
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 92 18:49:08 GMT

In article <1992Aug15.042623.4847@pony.Ingres.COM> jpk@Ingres.COM (Jon Krueger) writes:
>
>> support those spay neuter programs that your local shelters are
>> running however you can, with $$$ for the programs, by getting your
>> animals fixed and not contributing to the problem, by educating other
>> folks around you.  

I believe that one other way you can help is by *not* using their limited 
funds if you can afford the full fee yourself. That's what we did for our 
girls even though the local group has a "rebate" program. We figured the 
program's money should be saved for people who otherwise wouldn't be able 
to have their pets fixed.

As it happens, vet fees around here seem to be fairly low. It was $40 each
for the spaying, and FeLeuk shots, which someone else here said cost her (?)
$80 (!) for the first one alone (did that perhaps include a test?), were about 
$12 per.
-- 
Ruth Milner                          NRAO/VLA                  Socorro NM
Computing Division Head      rmilner@zia.aoc.nrao.edu
From: axpmw@acad2.alaska.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Turkish Angora Question
Date: 13 Aug 92 03:25:48 GMT
Organization: University of Alaska

Help me make a positive id! hahaha...

About 2 years ago, we found this grey tiny kitten in a wrecker...
Now this tiny kitten has blossomed into a 3 foot long furry 
prankster... 

I've been looking in books, and I think he may be a turkish Angora.
We're having a cat show this weekend so I'll ask the judges if they
know, but I thought I'd get some posters opinions....

He's a blue mackeral tabby (very dark grey color - the stripes only
show up really in pictures!) ... very very soft hair, long hair,
it's sorta wavey, esp. on the tail you can see the hairs aren't straight
Look sorta like a frizzed perm... kinda like a big grey squirrel too...

He's very very good at jumping (5ft easily) and he loves to fetch. He's
also quite vocal. 

His face is sorta narrow but not like a siamese, and a very broad nose
(looks like a tiger, w/his tabby markings)
(marroon coloring on the end!) ... golden eyes... 

He's not a main coon - definitely - But he's as long as one, not really
a broad cat, just very long in the body... much longer and his back
will start to sag I think! (I'm not sure he's done growing) 
The top coat is the dark grey and the belly,under tail are pure white
(giving him a sorta silvery/shiny look at times) ....

Oh and his name is SPY... (sometimes I think it should be shadow
because he hides sooo well behind doors... I'll open a door and he zips
in behind it so when I close it he's inside! )

----------
So if you have some ideas on what type he might be, let me know...
I'll post what the judges opinions are....

Thanks
-- 
Pam Woods                              Email:  Internet: axpmw@acad2.alaska.edu
University Of Alaska Anchorage                 Bitnet:   axpmw@alaska
Owned by 3 long haired beauties....
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: dmillard@encore.com (Debbie Millard)
Subject: Re: Is there a compatable dog breed to get along with cats
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 15:32:27 GMT
Organization: Encore Computer Corporation, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

In article <UeZBufi00iUzE1E30U@andrew.cmu.edu> sw39+@andrew.cmu.edu (Susan R. Wagner) writes:
>Hello everyone,  I have been following the thread on introducing dogs
>and cats.  The story regarding the Husky sure scared me.  

I don't know of any specific breeds that are better or worse, but
I wanted to comment here.  I let the original Husky story go by
because, like people and cats, dogs are individuals, too.  My
family was big on Huskies when I was growing up.  We had a Malimute,
my aunt had several Siberians, and my grandmother had both.
I have pics of our husky happily playing with our various and
assorted cats that came and went during his ~13 years.  My grandmother
also had cats and never had problems.

Just like anything else, there will be exceptions to any 'rule' (hate
that term here).  Don't discount an entire breed because someone
somewhere had a bad experience.

ok, off my soapbox now.

Debbie
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: diana@wetware.com (CatWoman )
Subject: Re: How long cats live (was Re: Indoor cat wants out)
Organization: Castle WetWare MouseCatcher
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1992 14:04:16 GMT

Cat data:

(unknown name - before I was born)
I/o - unneutered - ~3 years (disappeared)

*El Toro
I/O - neutered - 15 years

*Pussy Galore
I/O - spayed - 10(?) years

*Clemency
I/O - neutered - 3+ years (euthanized - terminal FUS)

*Che
i/o - unneutered - < 1 year (disappeared)

Kadiska
i/o - neutered - 2+ years (hit by car - I'd had her about a year)

M&M 
i/o - neutered - 4+ years (euthanized, terminal FUS)

Marmalade 
i/o - spayed - < 1 year (hit by car)

*Shadow
i/o - neutered - 15 years 

*Hamlet
i/o - neutered - 15 years

The rest of these cats are still alive, and started out
life as i/o cats - are now indoor only, except for going
out on leashes.  Err - except Stormy - who escapes regularly...

Chaplin
i - neutered - 14 years

Sassafras
i - spayed - 12 years

Muffin/Biscuit
i - neutered/spayed - 9 years 

Stormy
i - neutered - 7 years

Motley Tue (Two)
i - spayed - 1 year

Additional data points - the long-lived cats marked with "*'s"
are ones that lived at my parent's house - where there was
a lot of room to roam on the back hillside.  The ones I had
that got hit also had roaming room - but managed to be on
the street at the wrong time.  I almost lost Stormy last
year - he'd been hit by a car.  The vet said he used up 8.5
of his lives...when he escapes now, he seems to stay off
the street...

Chaplin doesn't seem to want to go outside now - and hasn't
for some years.  Motley was a stray that came to my door, and
also isn't that interested in going out.  Sassy will go down
to the garage area at my parents (she and Stormy live with 
my mother now), but is quite happy to stay inside walls.
Pussy Galore also preferred to be inside - but she had belonged
to a neighbor - and my parents didn't have a litter box for her.

Where I live now is too close to a freeway to allow the
cats out - especially Muffin who has heart problems.  I might`
still let them out - supervised - if I were still living in an
area that I felt comfortable with their safety...

Diana
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: lmmackey@rodan.acs.syr.edu (Laure M. Mackey)
Subject: Re: Hairballs
Keywords: Another hairball remedy? 
Organization: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 92 13:15:23 EDT

In article <1992Aug12.183559.25973@gateway.novell.com> lyndap@Novell.COM (Lynda Peterson) writes:
>In article <1992Aug12.165434.18060@porthos.cc.bellcore.com>  
>gck@hector.uucp (24641-kemmerling) writes:
>> 
>> I have to admit I'm not real good about grooming my Boo regularly.
>> I have found that if you put a teaspoon or so of oil in their food
>> it helps their coats and helps them with hairballs.
>> 
Two months ago while shopping at a pet supply store, we found a new
hairball remedy.  At least, I had never heard of it or seen it before.
It is also called Petromalt, however, it is in capsule form.
It gets sprinkled on the cat's food periodically.  We've really
had great success with this formula, since our cats really don't
like to eat the sticky tube-stuff.  

Laure Mackey
From: mas5@ns1.cc.lehigh.edu (MICHELLE A. M. SZENA)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Bringing Kitty back home
Date: 21 Aug 92 13:41:32 GMT
Organization: Lehigh University

I have a two year old calico female, Pookie.  In May I brought home Merlin, a
male kitten.  After a week of hissing and biting from Pookie and Merlin just
walking all over her as if to say,"who cares if you hiss at me, I can walk on
you if I want to", they started getting along.  They play together, eat
together, they wrestle and chase each around and at times they lie together
and lick each other.

Well, Merlin went into the hospital on Tuesday for neutering.  While he was
away Pookie kept following me around like she was lost.  She would cry in the
morning which she hasn't done since Merlin's with us.  Merlin came home
yesterday.  When he first came out of the box, they did the usual butt
sniffing and then pookie licked Merlin on the head.  She then turned around
and hissed at him and took off.  Since then everytime Merlin tries to buddy
up to her, Pookie will start to lick him and then immediately hiss at him.  I
feel so bad for Merlin who not only had to deal with surgery but now lost his
best friend.

Has anyone else had an experience like this?  Do we have to go through the
getting aquainted stages again?  or does Pookie taste something on him that
reminds her of the vet?  I'm really confused about this.

Michelle
(proud Mommy of Pookie and Merlin and the late Tivaly)
From: sbp@cbnewsh.cb.att.com (Sue Price)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: How long cats live (was Re: Indoor cat wants out)
Date: 13 Aug 92 20:31:32 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: AT&T

In article <1992Aug13.173810.20662@morrow.stanford.edu> HF.CLN@forsythe.stanford.edu (Cynthia Ng) writes:
>My indoor only cat lived to be 14.

I got my cat 6 years ago (to the day, wow!).  I don't know exactly when her 
birthday is, so I count the day I got her as her birthday.  That would make
her 15 now.  She's indoor only as still seems to have many good years ahead.
I hope so.

Off to go celebrate Samantha's birthday/our anniversary :-),
Sue


-- 

Sue Price
sbp@hound.att.com
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats