[newcommer]

There are many people from different places on this site . I was curious as to what types of pets they may own . I own Hermit Crabs, Koi, a snapping Turtle, goldfish, and Slidders.

What do you own and if you own a reptile do you take your pet to a vet?

[Vivid_29]

1 Dove

2 Love Birds

7 Holland Lop Rabbits and 10 Netherland Dwarfs (the ex has them now).

~V

Wow, you all have some very neat pets! Vivid, that's cool that you have a Dove. They're beautiful!

I have 5 strictly indoor cats.....ranging in age from about 6 yrs old up to 12 yrs old. All were strays at one time, that I rescued. All are fixed, NONE are declawed (that's nasty and cruel), they all get annual vet checkups....the 2 with the worst teeth/gums have had complete dental cleanings, and I've recently started brushing their teeth (which is hilarious but it's said to really help).

The second oldest was diagnosed with Diabetes almost a year ago. He's my big orange manx who was up to 23 lbs at his highest weight (which contributed to the diabetes..so for those out there who think it's "cute" to have an obese cat, it will definitely negatively impact their health later in life). Since changing his diet because of his diabetes, he's slowed lost 3 lbs. The key to weight loss for a cat, particularly an OVERWEIGHT cat, is to do it very very very slowly.......if they lose too quickly, it can drastically impact their liver, and cause a very life threatening disease called Fatty Liver Disease (aka Hepatic Lipidosis).

I have a wonderful Vet who is just a phone call away if I ever have a question. She trusts my instincts and judgment, and we always work together to tackle any health concern or issue.

My diabetic cat has been well regulated now for several months. He gets a shot of insulin morning and night......and I use a human blood glucose monitor (the little machines that human diabetics use) to check his blood sugar prior to his shot of insulin, and periodically throughout the day or night, if I feel it needs to be checked. Sadly, many Vets aren't aware that this can be done.....and it's very accurate, so lots of their newly diagnosed cats don't get the benefit of this, and their owners have a really hard time regulating them. It's a shame. Because it's truly so easy, and I can't imagine giving my cat something as powerful as insulin without first knowing what his blood sugar is.

In older cats, (age 8 yrs and up), they're at great risk for developing diabetes, kidney disease, and overactive thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism). It's IMPERATIVE that people get their senior cats checked by the Vet each year!....a full checkup..including bloodwork and urine check......because many of these things can be dealt with easier if detected early.

And anyone with a cat who begins to show the following symptoms, they should be promptly taken to their Vet for a checkup:

-drinking more water
-peeing more often
-losing weight
-their fur/coat loses its luster and becomes dull and "spiky" looking
-the cat begins to sleep more
-decreased appetite
-constipation
-frequent furballs (severe furballs can lead to a serious bowel obstruction if not dealt with properly)
-throwing up more often than the "occasional furball"
-stiffness when walking, climbing stairs, getting up after lying down
-diarrhea
-becoming more "vocal"..howling a lot more, crying out a lot more

[Vivid_29]

Originally posted by befuddled11
Vivid, that's cool that you have a Dove. They're beautiful!

Thanks befuddled --- Yeah, he's a beauty. I found him sitting in the grass, near a construction site. I picked him up and took him home with me and has been living with me ever since.

I think he might be one of those doves that are trained to fly back to their owners. He has an orange plastic bracelet around his ankle.

~V

[newcommer]

That is awesome the collection of birds you have Vivid. Tell me about the care it takes to raise them. How expenisive is it? My turtles are truly very costly. Perhaps because I spoil them rotten! I give them the best of everything. In the winter they come in doors. In the summer my ex built me a wonderful pond to keep them in. STate of the art unique turtle pond. This baby cost nearly $$3,000 just in materials and rocks and pumps. I do spoil them but they wind up costing me each month.

As for Beffuddled you truly have a lot of love in your heart to take on such a responsiblity. How did you get into the love of cats? What made you chose cats?

[Vivid_29]

Originally posted by newcommer
That is awesome the collection of birds you have Vivid. Tell me about the care it takes to raise them. How expenisive is it?

Taking care of birds, really isn't an arduous task. I just give them birdseed and water and clean the cage. It's not expensive at all.
I love my dove! He is really gentle, but my lovebirds are bitches!

Now, taking care of rabbits is a task. I used to have about 50 of them at one time. They need extra special care or they'll die. You can do everything by the book and they will still die (cage, food, proper care).

I like rabbits alot, but they are not that intelligent. I've had one die of fright, during a thunderstorm. Another died, because it got scared and took off running and ran smack into a wall. I had one die, because he kicked so hard that it broke its own back.

One good thing about rabbits. They can be litter trained. I had a litter box for my bun buns and many of them were litter trained.

~V

I think my love of cats came from when I was a little girl..and I'd spend time on my grandparent's farm....there was always lots of barn kitties.....and I thought they were just so cool and pretty and curious and fuzzy

I think cats are so cool because they have such unique personalities. They definitely have minds of their own. I dig and respect that They're curious (as I am), they're affectionate (my cats are all big sucks and they all get along great), they're mischievious, they CAN be trained LOL, they're hilarious and they're independent. Oh yeah, and they make great doorstops

[newcommer]

I was thinking of getting birds for my classroom next year. Students unfortuately can be a bit vicious. My students have literally torchured the hermit crabs while I was away. They plucked of each leg and then stuck dissecting needles in it. Then once then tricked the sub and and told them they were taking the crabs for a walk. They did not. They burried them alive.

Funny enough they respect and love the fish. Now that I purchsed feeders and never have to fee the fish, my students only go over to the tank to admire the fish. They truly respect my fish tank and the huge fish inside.

Isn't it crazy? But I was considering purchasing birds and wondering if students will appreciate them.

[Vivid_29]

Originally posted by newcommer
Students unfortuately can be a bit vicious. My students have literally torchured the hermit crabs while I was away. They plucked of each leg and then stuck dissecting needles in it. Then once then tricked the sub and and told them they were taking the crabs for a walk. They did not. They burried them alive.

Damn, that's pretty harsh. I can't see a woman doing this. It had to have been some bored, chucklehead guys torturing your hermit crabs.

How did they get them out of the shell?

~V

[moimeme]

I've got two feline fuzzies; brother and sister. They're headed for their 14th birthday. One's diabetic - the skinny male. His pudgy sister is in fine health. They've been with me through several men and two major moves.

I know they're getting old and I'll be terribly sad when age finally catches up with them but for now they're hale and hearty. My diabetic boy is controlled with pills and a special food - thank heavens! No fear of diabetic shock in his case. I have a great vet who worked with me to be sure he could remain insulin-free, since that can be harder on cats due to the possibility of insulin shock.

As for pets for students, stick to fish, especially if the kids are as vicious as yours seem to be. We had a bird once; they are very fussy, apparently. A cold draft can make them fatally ill.

[yes]

i'm impressed by the variety of pets you guys have!

newcommer - i hope these cruel kids got punished!! the lack of anti-animal cruelty laws drives me nuts. grr.

i have two cats. me and my parents share the responsibilities of taking care of them, so it's easy. i think i'll really miss the fuzzies when i move out i'll definitely consider getting a birdie or some fish(although i'm not a big fan), but won't get cats or dogs until i'm settled down.

vivvy, don't rabits stink?? it's too bad they're so silly... perhaps that's why they "multiply like rabbits"

a friend of mine was dreaming of a pet-mini-pig... anybody ever had one?

-yes

[Vivid_29]

Originally posted by yes

vivvy, don't rabits stink?? it's too bad they're so silly... perhaps that's why they "multiply like rabbits"

I guess it depends on the owner. My bun buns always had a clean cage. Many of them were litter trained, so they never did their business on their bedding.

Plus, I would give me all a bath every couple of weeks.

~V

[UCFKevin]

I have a cat named Willie. She's the best damn cat I've ever been around, she's like a puppy. Very loving and dependant, not independent and apathetic like most cats.

If anyone can guess where her name came from, you'll get 10,000 points.

[moimeme]

not independent and apathetic like most cats.

That is such a myth! I've had cats all my life, and I've yet to meet an independent, apathetic one. They've all been devoted pets that clearly wanted and needed affection. When they have a choice of anything in the house to sit or sleep on, including softer and warmer surfaces, they will choose something of mine to sit or sleep on. They become visibly upset if I'm away and sometimes one gets jealous if I'm paying attention to the other.

Cat-haters spread that myth but we all know they're nuts anyway

[ladyangel]

I'm a dog lover all the way. I can't get enough of them. I currently have four but would have more if my husband would let me, and if we had more room for them. When we retire I want some land where we can fence it and have all kinds. The (future) grandchildren can come and play with them to their heart's content. I prefer small dogs who like to lay in your lap and don't take up too much room in the bed.