Niki

I was cleaning my rats' cage today when I noticed, under the water bottle area, in the moist shavings (assumingly because one of the toys in the cage had pressed against it, triggering it to drip), were tiny clearish worms (about 10 of them) writhing around once I had disturbed them. I clean the cage one or two times a week and currently it just houses one adult male rat (he attacked his previous cagemates very violently they had to be separated). Anyway, they looked like little earthworms and while I do give my rat fresh fruits and veggies, I don't bring things out of the garden directly to his cage so I don't know how earthworms would've gotten in.

Also, just to note, the bottom of the cage has a slide-out pan so I don't believe Ripley ever came into contact with the worms, since they are under the bars, in a sawdust pit, basically.

They were very slimy looking, each about 3 cm long. I freaked out and immediately scrubbed the whole cage down. I've never seen these before. What might they have come from?

Hi, does anyone know when Oprah's shows are filmed at Harpo Studios? Like, as in what day of the week, usually and an estimate of what time?

Has anyone ever been to one of her shows?

Thank you so much in advance.

I've been volunteering at a non-profit dog shelter for several months now and most of the employees are vet techs. Many of them work 2-3 jobs because as vet techs, they can't support themselves with that income alone, unfortunately.

While I would love to just become a vet tech (which is what I'm going to school for), we have to face the reality of rising costs of living, high gas prices, etc.

Anyway, my question to any vet techs out there -- do you make enough money? If you wouldn't mind sharing - what is your current salary, how long have you been a vet tech, and in what field do you work (ie zoo, shelter, clinic, ER, laboratory, etc)

Thanks very much in advance.

Three days ago, I noticed my five year old female fantail goldfish had fin rot on her dorsal, pectoral, and tail fins. I immediately cleaned the entire tank and filters. (She lives with a koi but that's the only other fish in the tank and they've been together 3 years; they get along well.)

Then tonight, just now, I saw Angel (the fantail) floating at the surface, with pineconed scales, a bloated belly, and torn fins. She is having trouble swimming upright but still wants to eat. What should I do tonight for her? I already moved her to a medical tank for the time being with a filter and some medication for fin rot and drospsey -- also fed her.

I need to get her through the night and can take her to my vet tomorrow morning! Thank you

According to safety and fire codes, how many exits must a small stadium with seating for a little over 1000 people have?

I read it was four but can someone give me any proof on this or can any safety inspectors pitch in?

thanks

I always rescue, foster, and then adopt out rats that I pick up from Craigslist.

Tonight I got a 3-5 month old female dumbo rat from someone who was not feeding her or caring for her in the least bit. Therefore, she is extremely aggressive at the cage bars, charging, grunting, and chewing vigorously at the bars. She was very hungry and thirsty when she first arrived so I fed/watered her. I have not held her without gloves yet. She is quite squirmy, too.

It is my goal to adopt out every rat I get. Out of the many others I have taken in, I have never had one behave like this.

What should I do for her/with her? The other owner said she dislikes other rats (I have four others) so I do not want to risk having her tear apart one of my old sweeties.

Thank you for any advice.

I have a lone white cloud minnow about 4 cm long that I was given by someone. What other fish are compatible? I put him in with my two comets but they seemed aggressive. I also have two koi but they would gobble him up in a minute!

I know White Clouds Minnows are community fish but my local pet store doesn't have WCMs.

What else can I get? Thank you.

I have a 6 month old white cloud minnow. His mate passed away about a month ago and he has been alone ever since. WCMs are social fish but I got both of them from my school's science department after someone doing an experiment was done with them.

My question is can I put him in my comet tank. I have two comets that are both a year old. I'm really attached to all my fish and I don't want them to attack each other.

Should I put the WCM in with my comets or will that result in deaths? Thanks.

During a foie gras protest in Chicago, this carriage horse came by, screaming all the way down the block and out of sight. The same horse was worked the next day/night and was still screaming... sounds painful.

If it helps, it was about 35 degrees out both nights. What would be causing this horse to make these sounds?

Thanks.

Here is a clip of the horse:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z12LOOcQ-sc

I have a year old Mac Laptop OX. It's been working fine since I got it. Today, about 30 minutes ago, I was on photobucket uploading some pictures and it shut down. I cannot get it to turn back on. I've tried pressing down that little circle button in the corner and I've tried plugging it in. The light on the computer cord is yellow rather than the usual green. Someone tell me please what happened here?? And how I can resolve it.