What type of pet do you own? Does your pet need a special vet?

[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

[befuddled11]

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

[befuddled11]

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.

[monkey00]

i got a dog & cat.

 

those 2 critters are great even tho they play dog & cat (cat & mouse) all the time.

nope no vet, only when they got spayed but that was it.

 

dog is a bum, and bites my shoes when im wearing it cause he wants to play.

and every nite, the cat jumps on the bed im sleeping at and sleeps next to me.

[newcommer]

Vivid--- Your right, the students were boys. Believe it or not the ring leader was my shyest student. He hardly ever talks in class. Somehow the school did not feel animal cruelty was sufficent enough reason to give in school or out of school suspension so they got a pat on the back and a talk with guidence.

 

UCFKevin---We Willie Winkle?

[UCFKevin]

HAHAHAHA! Nope.

[carla]

I have 3 babies oh I mean cats that are my babies. They are spayed and neuterd, not declawed. I agree with befuddled that's cruel.

 

Snuggles: the biggest baby (who by the way is curled up on my lap as I write this and is usually there when I'm on my puter) is 11 yrs he was a stray with an injury 10 yrs ago I took him to the vet got the bill (YIKES) and he became my cat.

 

Magic my black cat who likes to talk alot and his sister Annie (another sucky cat) Were part of a litter of 4 ophans that I fostered for the Humane Society for 6 weeks I couldn't part with all of them when it came time so I kept 2. My bf won't allow me to keep all 4.

 

My babies each have there own personality. I also very up on the language of cat. I answer Magic when he talks and we carry on quite the conversation (people would think I'm nuts) But I know what each of there cries are. In the dark I can tell which one is near just by their meow. I love my babie and they love me unconditionaly.

[GeorgiaSongbird]

Before I got married, I had a Boston Terrier and and Orange Wing Tip Amazon. After I got married, they had to find new homes.. because my husband had a cat who was old and very shy/timid.

 

The Boston is with my dad and mom. The bird has been relocated with a friend who has an aviary.

 

Ended up with 2 more cats.. both strays/lost. The newest one is still a kitten. When we got her, she was only 14 oz and I fed her with a bottle. She is really my "baby" (looking for me when she is sleepy, running to me when I get home). The cats just tolerate each other really. Although I think the 2 oldest ones now have a common emeny and they are getting along better!

[Thinkalot]

We can't have pets in the place we are renting. BUT living with my mum are a crew of animals I love ( and I spent many years living in the same house with them too).

 

Two little dogs, two cats. All lovely, all with their own personality.

 

I did have a peachface parrot a few years back which I rescued from a cat...he was so cute and used to snuggle up on my shoulder when I was doing things. I moved overseas and left him with my then boyfriend...the little bird died while I was away. They ARE pretty sensitive to all sorts of things.

 

I've also rescued my share of stray dogs and cats over the years. One of our dogs is in fact one of those strays, and she is a wonderful little thing.

 

Ah, I love animals. And I can't stand animal cruelty!

[befuddled11]

Originally posted by 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.

 

 

Actually, oral hypoglycemics such as Glipizide (is that the one your kitty is on? It's the most commonly used on in cats) *can* cause dangerously low blood glucose just like insulin can, it's kind of a myth that it's "safer" than insulin.

 

Common side effects are: vomiting, decreased appetite, and *liver damage*.

 

You'd mentioned your diabetic kitty was skinny. Maybe he was always thin? But in a well regulated diabetic cat, they should be a healthy weight, not too thin. Losing too much weight (doesn't take much for a cat) itself can cause liver damage.

 

Does your Vet periodically check your kitty's liver enzymes?

 

I belong to the excellent Feline Diabetes Message Board (address is: http://www.felinediabetes.com ...then find the link to the Message Boards) thousands of diabetic cat owners there. Many have tried Glipizide, hoping they'd not have to go the insulin route, but for many, the Glip didn't work, or only worked for a few months....so it's critical that a cat have their blood sugars monitored every couple of months to ensure it's still working. Or you could buy a home (human) monitor like most of us use, and check it yourself...much less stressful and you get a more accurate result (the stress of having a blood glucose done at the vet can actually significantly increase the BG (blood glucose) level.....

 

And just like cats on insulin, cats on the oral med are at equal risk for something as life threatening as insulin shock, and that's "diabetic ketoacidosis" (DKA). It occurs when blood sugar level runs too high consistently. Most folks check their cat's urine periodically.....especially if not home-testing with a monitor..to check not only for the presence of glucose, but most importantly, "ketones".....if you ever notice ketones in the urine, the cat needs to get to the Vet PRONTO. Most just by these testing strips from the drugstore (same kind as human diabetics use). There's all kinds of tricks to try to be able to test a cat's urine at home. I'm lucky, with my cat, he's been well regulated for so long that I rarely check.....but I use "Chemstrips"..the same strips they use in doctor's offices, for humans, to check a whole bunch of things.......well for him, I just put a small measuring cup under his rear when he's in the box and he couldn't care less......LOL

 

Could it be possibly your kitty's so thin because his blood sugars are running pretty high? I know a lot of folks on the forum there, who tried Glip, when they suspected it was no longer working for their cat, that's when they noticed the cat was losing weight, drinking more water, peeing more often/larger amounts.

 

Here's a link from a very well recommended site on Feline Diabetes..with some info on Glip and it's risks and such:

 

http://www.gorbzilla.com/glipizide.htm

 

Here also, are some INVALUABLE sites that you might want to bookmark. A great lady (and owner of diabetic cat Binky (her name is Janet, she's a regular on the FDMB) took a lot of time to compile charts on the various content %'s in canned and dry food......from prescription diets to cheap stuff. It's nice to use as a resource, for picking the lowest carb foods.....especially for the canned food (diabetic cats should get plenty of canned food..it's best to even have them on ONLY canned food..as it contains much more water in it......and diabetic cats, unless perfectly regulated, which is rare, become dehydrated very easily and that's hard on their kidneys big time, and can make their sugars run higher. It's also good, if you can, to choose foods with as low phosphorus content as possible, particularly if they're a "Senior Cat"..as too much phosphorus in the diet of a senior cat can increase the chances of kidney disease). Here's the link for canned food, and for dry:

 

http://www.sugarcats.net/sites/jmpeerson/canfood.html

 

http://www.sugarcats.net/sites/jmpeerson/dryfood.html

 

You might want to pop into the FDMB and talk with other folks there whose kitties are on Glip. Frankly, there's very few......most tried but didn't have good results or the results only last for a few months. I had considered trying it, but my Vet and her partner felt it was too hard on the liver.

[moimeme]

Um, thanks Befuddled. I read extensively on feline diabetes before seeing the vet. I didn't give you his full medical regimen; I thought this was a fairly fun discussion about pets. Trust me on this; he's fine. He isn't too thin; it's just that in comparison with his fat sister he looks thin. In fact, he's perfect.

 

Plus, the vet said that it's sufficient to monitor his signs (urinating, drinking water, weight, etc.) without doing extensive and frequent blood work. I do that and he's fine. They did a full blood screen just a few months ago. Some cats can only be maintained on the pills for a short time, yes, but there are some that don't have a serious case, I guess, that can. Do you also realize that they can spontaneously heal from diabetes?

 

I don't know if you know, or maybe you can't get it there, but Purina makes a diet specifically for cats with diabetes. The vet said that some cats can be controlled with the food alone My sweetie gets the food plus his meds and he's peachy. I know all his signs now and can tell if his sugar is getting too high.

[newcommer]

Have you ever seen any of those uncommon pets in the store such as monkies, goats, ducks, etc. People actully buy them, I seen them. Have any of you ever met a pet owner of an unlikely pet?

[ldybg51]

I have 4 hermit crabs, had 5 but one died A Sun Conure:Bailey, A hamster: oreo, A Cat: Buttercup, A second Cat: Happy, and her two kittens who will be leaving the nest soon

 

 

Kevin; Willy wonkas chocolate factory?

 

I thought of something else first but I will not put that. *naughty giggle*