I've got RA cats!

17 years ago

When I posted my first proud picture of an RA, I saw her buzzing around my false nettle (thanks Shady Oak)....and sure enough, I've got lots of kitties....and I just ordered 5 eggs from them...I'll get em anyway to keep the genetic diversity!

Also have about 20 monarch cats (including some I rescued from the local herb nursery), and 5 BST cats.

The pond is FINALLY going in the right way, should be done in 2 weeks, and this garden is going to be picture worthy!

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Comments (11)

tdogmom
17 years ago
YEE-haw! Oh Paul, how maaaaaaahvelous!

I am going out to hunt down Monarch eggs right now... :)
MissSherry
17 years ago
Congrats, congrats!
Red admirals are one of my very favorite butterflies! I saw one yesterday - funny how you just see them here and there.
MissSherry
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Q
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Hi everyone, I found this forum a few weeks ago when I was in a similar situation. It started off with our family pet vomiting all the time, then she started losing weight. We thought it could be hair balls so we bought her hair ball remedies and the it eased up. She started getting very thin and couldn't jump as much or walk as far anymore. We took her to the vet and found out she was at least 15, more since I remember growing up with her as a kid (we took her in after a store owner abandoned her when we moved and literally kicked her out). So I'd say she was about 18-19, maybe a tabby breed but not 100% sure Anyway, the vet took a urine test-wasn't diabetic. Blood test-had a double white blood cell count. She weighed 4.6 lbs and for her age, should have been 8-10 but she was always on the smaller side. When you pet her all you could feel was fur and bones. The vet gave her an antibiotic shot which made her poop and sent my mom home with medicine, the diagnosis was either cancer or a kidney infection. My mom didn't get an X-ray because of the cost and surgery so took a chance on the kidney infection. The vet bill came out to be around 250, the cat started to get better, she would eat more, one day she ate 2 cans. The final days she was falling because she couldn't keep herself up and ate very little. My Mom saw her take her last breath yesterday. Sad but she was so pitiful and in so much pain. I made sure to post this in case someone was in a similar situation. The medicine might have prolonged her by a week but she didn't finish taking it. Had my mom given her the surgery she might have lived but she was old and might have not survived it. Vets are extremely expensive and just didn't help in this case. Good luck to anyone who has a cat like mine and just keep in mind when they pass that they were suffering and in pain.
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I've got GF and VF cats!
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Comments (4)
I've got 7 reptarian cages, Paul - 1 big, 4 medium and 2 small. I've also got a little bitty plastic thing that was meant for goldfish, but it has a vented top on it - I use it for tiny hatchlings sometimes. I've also got a hanging type cage that I don't like - it's hard to attach water picks to the sides, and you can't put a plastic leftovers container on the bottom without it turning over in the wind and/or weighing down the flimsy cage too much - I don't use this one unless I'm desperate. I've brought in 4 GF cats so far. They're in a small reptarian cage, but 2 of them are so small I'll probably transfer them to the little "fish bowl" for additional safety. The buckeye that's in it now has grown SO much, it's ready for the big time! MissSherry
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I've got PV cats...everywhere...
Q
Comments (4)
Whew! I know what you mean - when you get PVS cats, you get herds of 'em! I'm finally about to get all mine pupated and in the chrysalid state. I brought in a lot after I found the murdering stink bugs, about 35 or 40, add that to my 9 nearly totally snakeroot raised group. There are some newly formed chrysalids outside, plus some late instar cats - I think I've squished all the stink bugs. My pipevines are starting to make some new growth, my snakeroot is resprouting, and I saw a pair of PVSs mating today, so I guess they figure it's time for more egg laying! I don't know whether 30 plants will do you, Paul, because I don't know how big they are - thank goodness mine are huge! Good luck with what is still my favorite butterfly and caterpillar - they're a lot of trouble, but they're worth it! MissSherry
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I've got more baby cats!!!
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Comments (1)
Congrats, congrats, Lellie!! Sherry
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caterwallin
17 years ago
Congrats, Paul! It sounds like you're getting underway with a nice start there! I had Monarchs here last year, but no Red Admirals. Of course, it would help if I planted some nettle, but I've already gone wild this year with the plants. That one will have to wait for maybe next year. Have fun with all those cats, and I'm sure there will be more in your future. :)
Cathy
emmayct
17 years ago
Paul, do you think you could post a picture of the cats?

I see adults around here in the summer but have never found a cat!
Msrpaul
Original Author
17 years ago
I'll try to take some pics tomorrow...I've been working on the pond feverishly.

They are probably 2nd instar now....quite small...and I've got a bunch of them...they hide in leaves...
susanlynne48
17 years ago
Woo-hoo - had to let you all know I saw an RA butterfly today - the second of the year, so they are obviously here and on their way. Only one problem - no false nettle yet for them to eat.

Susan
Msrpaul
Original Author
17 years ago
I planted some in shady berms last year....they are coming up well...and got some from Shady Oak....good price, clean plants.....very satisfied...and they'll come back next year!

Do you have any golden hops?
susanlynne48
17 years ago
I have some golden hops, Paul. It's just coming up and is about 8-10" tall now. But, it sure is growing fast! Do the RA's like it?

Susan
MissSherry
17 years ago
Susan, RAs reportedly use hops, but they haven't used my regular green leaf hops - question marks use it every year. Last year QMs used my false nettles, too, and the two plants are pretty closely related, so I guess RAs might use it.
MissSherry
susanlynne48
17 years ago
Now that would just be too cool if they use the hops. I think we discussed this briefly on another thread, but I'd forgotten about it. The golden hops I have is a new variety that I got from the Thyme Garden, not the one that's been out for some time. It is really bright, bright golden yellow. Beautiful foliage. It will brighten up the yard if nothing else.

Susan
Msrpaul
Original Author
17 years ago
That was why I was asking...last year, I got ? marks on my golden hops....they were on my false nettle as well. This year, I had the lady RA visit, and so I knew what the cats were....the RA cats also curl themselves up....was wondering if they use hops as well?

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I've got RA cats!

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