Web Critters Make A Splash

Tue., Feb. 8, 2000

By Rick Bonino boninobeer@comcast.net

It’s been almost a week now, and your cat keeps coughing. What could it be? Do you need to take Tabby to the vet?

The “Pet Health Topics” Web site from Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine is designed to help you make those decisions.

The site (www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/index.html) includes information on a handful of common pet problems and diseases, from diarrhea to seizures to antifreeze poisoning, with more being added all the time. Video illustrations of several topics also are available.

While not intended as a substitute for veterinary care, the site gives you an idea what might be happening, whether your pet should see a veterinarian and what to expect when you get there.

There’s also practical advice on everything from trimming your dog’s toenails to medicating your cat’s eyes, as well as links to such other WSU programs as the Pet Loss Hotline and People-Pet Partnership.

* Puppy love: As Valentine’s Day approaches, are you wondering how animals express affection? Dogs wag their tails, rats cuddle, and birds, well, might throw up their dinner and try to feed it to you, according to an article at the Petstore.com Web site.

The site (www.petstore.com) also offers valentine gift ideas ranging from mink-wrapped food dishes to bone-shaped, crystal-studded hair clips.

* Watch dogs: You’ve probably heard about the wave of “webcams” on the Internet that allow exhibitionists to act out their lives for online voyeurs.

At its Web site (www.thewaggingtail.com), The Wagging Tail canine day care in Manhattan has set up a “doggycam” that lets owners — and anyone else who’s interested — keep an eye on their pets.

Images from the large and small dog rooms, updated every 30 seconds, are broadcast between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily.

* On the Fritz: Web-surfing fans of Ramona the whippet from Moses Lake (mentioned here in December) can check out photos from her recent visit to The Coeur d’Alene Resort at her home page, www.ramonafritz.com — everything from eating with her family in a private dining room to hanging out at the pool to sleeping in front of the fireplace.

* Crying wolf: Finally, rounding out our all-Internet edition, Linda Genteel of Petersburg, N.J. — the self-proclaimed “world’s greatest female pianist and composer” — features pictures of her pets, including a vegetarian wolf dog named Prince, at her Web site (www.pianoprincess.com).

No word on whether Prince can play the piano, too.

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