When did the borg get/invent nanoprobes?

[Shrykull]

It seems that assimilation, was a surgical process before first contact, with Picard and the borg baby in Q who Hmm, wonder who came up with the idea of these things at paramount. They couldn't assimilate everything, like the founders for example, or energy beings like Kes or the guy from transfigurations

(Robert, ever play the star trek borg computer game? You might like that Good Borg material in that, although it's not official)

What do the borg do with species they can't assimilate? Just target them for destruction? I remember in scorpion seven was talking about a borg weapon which could spread an explosion/or nanoprobes over light years or something. I think a good weapon for them against species 8472 would be criss crossing cutting beams, like a grid, like in resident evil where the guy was sliced and diced by them, of course, they'd have to have furthur range to use it, lest 8472 blows thier ships apart.

[Sarevok]

That would be a good weapon since Species 8472 ships dont have shields.

[Robert Walper]

It seems that assimilation, was a surgical process before first contact, with Picard and the borg baby in Q who

Actually, evidence suggest that Picard's assimilation was unique. My current theory is he was being prepared to become another humanoid version of the Borg Vinculum.

As to the baby, well, Borg assimilation requires surgical proceedures regardless whether nanoprobes are injected later or before.

Hmm, wonder who came up with the idea of these things at paramount.

Creative writers obviously.

They couldn't assimilate everything, like the founders for example,

Do you have evidence to back this up? Borg nanoprobes have seen canonly shown capable of assimilating organic and non-organic material. Under what catagory do the Founders fall?

or energy beings like Kes or the guy from transfigurations

I'd agree energy beings are in all likeylhood beyond the Borg Collective's capability to assimilate, at least by means which we've observed.

(Robert, ever play the star trek borg computer game? You might like that Good Borg material in that, although it's not official)

I think I konw which one you're talking about, but no, I've never played it, or even seen it played for that matter.

PS: My reputation proceeds me...you knew I would pop into this thread sooner or later.

What do the borg do with species they can't assimilate?

Apparently ignore them.

Just target them for destruction?

Unless the species is either a threat or target, the Borg Collective ignores them.

I remember in scorpion seven was talking about a borg weapon which could spread an explosion/or nanoprobes over light years or something.

A Multi-Kinetic Neutronic Mine. 5 million isoton yield, armed with at least 50 trillion nanoprobes. Explosion of said device would affect an entire star system, and disperse the nanoprobes as far as five lightyears.

*points at sig, bows*

I think a good weapon for them against species 8472 would be criss crossing cutting beams, like a grid, like in resident evil where the guy was sliced and diced by them, of course, they'd have to have furthur range to use it, lest 8472 blows thier ships apart.

This assumes said cutting beams have enough power to penetrate Species 8472 defenses. Extremely unlikely, since the Borg didn't use them this way in any observed combat(doesn't rule out they may have tried though). Said cutting beam still requires significant time to breach just a Galaxy class starship's hull, so against a bioship they're likely be virtually ineffective.

[Luzifer's right hand]

They couldn't assimilate everything, like the founders for example,

Do you have evidence to back this up? Borg nanoprobes have seen canonly shown capable of assimilating organic and non-organic material. Under what catagory do the Founders fall?

All lifeforms we know the borg assimilated in the past are humanoids. The only non-humanoid life they tried to assimilate(as far as we know) was Species 8472 and they failed. Do you have evidence that the borg can assimilate non-humanoid races?

[Robert Walper]

They couldn't assimilate everything, like the founders for example,

Do you have evidence to back this up? Borg nanoprobes have seen canonly shown capable of assimilating organic and non-organic material. Under what catagory do the Founders fall?

All lifeforms we know the borg assimilated in the past are humanoids.

By this definition, you would claim the Borg would be unable to assimilate a dog because it is not humanoid in shape, despite having blood cells that Borg nanoprobes can recognize and attack.

The only non-humanoid life they tried to assimilate(as far as we know) was Species 8472 and they failed.

Founders don't have an immune system like Species 8472. Starfleet intelligence almost wiped them out with a disease.

Do you have evidence that the borg can assimilate non-humanoid races?

Whether the Founders have blood cells or not, I see no reason why nanoprobes infecting them would be completely ineffective, humanoid or not.

[Luzifer's right hand]

Prove that the Borg can assimilate a dog, we never saw them assimilate a non-sentient life form.

We know that Humans can breed with vulcans,romulans and klingons. There is much more difference between a dog and a human than between a human and a Star-Trek humanoid.

The Borg-nanites did never show the capability to assimilate something else than technology and humanoids.

[Robert Walper]

Prove that the Borg can assimilate a dog, we never saw them assimilate a non-sentient life form.

Not seeing something done does not mean you cannot determine whether or not it can be done.

Using your logic, I could easily say there is no proof whatsoever of a ISD BDZing a Borg planet, therefore you cannot assume it could be done.

We know that Humans can breed with vulcans,romulans and klingons. There is much more difference between a dog and a human than between a human and a Star-Trek humanoid.

Not all Trek humanoids are compatible breeding wise. In fact it was stated that just breeding between a human and Klingon requires significant artificial assistance.

The Borg-nanites did never show the capability to assimilate something else than technology and humanoids.

Nanoprobes have canonly been shown to target and attack blood cells. Dogs have blood cells, therefore they could be assimilated just as easily, if not more so than a human.

[Luzifer's right hand]

Not seeing something done does not mean you cannot determine whether or not it can be done.

Using your logic, I could easily say there is no proof whatsoever of a ISD BDZing a Borg planet, therefore you cannot assume it could be done.

I don't read the EU-novels but others mentioned that they prove that a ISD can BDZ a unshielded planet. We never saw a Borg planet with a shield(the Borg planet destroyed by Species 8472 ships had no shield).
conclusion: a ISD can BDZ a Borg Planet.

Not all Trek humanoids are compatible breeding wise. In fact it was stated that just breeding between a human and Klingon requires significant artificial assistance

Can you impregnate a dog if you fuck it? No.
It's unimportant if you need medical help for the birth(like the hybrid on the voyager)

Nanoprobes have canonly been shown to target and attack blood cells. Dogs have blood cells, therefore they could be assimilated just as easily, if not more so than a human.

Attack and assimilate are two different things.
Borg Nanoprobes attacked species 8472 blood cells, but they failed to assimilate them, and they could destroy 8472 blood cells(but only after the doc modified them). We never saw a non-humanoid drone.
Prove that Borg-nanoprobes can overwhelm the immune system of a non-humanoid form of life or give up.

[Robert Walper]

Not all Trek humanoids are compatible breeding wise. In fact it was stated that just breeding between a human and Klingon requires significant artificial assistance

Can you impregnate a dog if you fuck it? No.
It's unimportant if you need medical help for the birth(like the hybrid on the voyager)

The fact of the matter is that Trek humanoids are not as compatible as you're attempting to suggest. BTW, I wasn't referring to the Voyager example, where Torres is only 1/2 Klingon, and 1/2 human. Naturally she'd be more compatible with a human breeding partner. I was referring to pure klingons and humans being unable to reproduce with artificial intervention.

Nanoprobes have canonly been shown to target and attack blood cells. Dogs have blood cells, therefore they could be assimilated just as easily, if not more so than a human.

Attack and assimilate are two different things.

With Borg nanoprobes, both terms explain the same event happening. You're trying to nitpick the difference in terms when said difference doesn't exist in regards to Borg nanoprobes.

Borg Nanoprobes attacked species 8472 blood cells,

No, they didn't. They were destroyed before they could do so.

but they failed to assimilate them, and they could destroy 8472 blood cells(but only after the doc modified them).

No, Borg nanoprobes, when modified, did succeed in assimilating Species 8472 biomaterial. They only self destructed because the Doctoer made sure they only assimilated temporarily, otherwise Harry Kim's cells would have been next.

We never saw a non-humanoid drone.

So? Based upon evidence, one could easily exist.

Prove that Borg-nanoprobes can overwhelm the immune system of a non-humanoid form of life or give up.

You're suggesting a dog's immune system would be superior to that of a human's, despite human immune systems typically having artificial enhancements?

Your stupid assertions is making the probability of reaching a logical conclusion extremely unlikely.

Nanoprobes attack blood cells.
Dogs have blood cells.
Thus dogs could be assimilated by nanoprobes.
Non humanoid assimilation victims can obviously exist.

Clear?

[Luzifer's right hand]

The fact of the matter is that Trek humanoids are not as compatible as you're attempting to suggest. BTW, I wasn't referring to the Voyager example, where Torres is only 1/2 Klingon, and 1/2 human. Naturally she'd be more compatible with a human breeding partner. I was referring to pure klingons and humans being unable to reproduce with artificial intervention.

I meant the other hybrid, the little girl(I forgot the name).

Nanoprobes attack blood cells.
Dogs have blood cells.
Thus dogs could be assimilated by nanoprobes.
Non humanoid assimilation victims can obviously exist.

Hiv attacks the immune system
Dogs have a immune system
Thus dogs could get Aids
but dogs are immune against Aids
your logic is incorrect.

[Robert Walper]

The fact of the matter is that Trek humanoids are not as compatible as you're attempting to suggest. BTW, I wasn't referring to the Voyager example, where Torres is only 1/2 Klingon, and 1/2 human. Naturally she'd be more compatible with a human breeding partner. I was referring to pure klingons and humans being unable to reproduce with artificial intervention.

I meant the other hybrid, the little girl(I forgot the name).

Explain how less than a half dozen examples of inter species breeding (and a couple of those solely by artificial assistance) in Trek constitutes proof the large majority of Trek races can interbreed naturally and successfully.

Nanoprobes attack blood cells.
Dogs have blood cells.
Thus dogs could be assimilated by nanoprobes.
Non humanoid assimilation victims can obviously exist.

Hiv attacks the immune system
Dogs have a immune system
Thus dogs could get Aids
but dogs are immune against Aids
your logic is incorrect.

Explain how a Dog's immune system would be superior to a human's when dealing with cell sized robots.

Humans have blood cells.
Dogs have blood cells.
Borg nanoprobes assimilate blood cells.

Either submit evidence that would suggest a Dog's immune system could effectively stop nanoprobes when a human's immune system cannot, or my point stands.

[Luzifer's right hand]

Explain how less than a half dozen examples of inter species breeding (and a couple of those solely by artificial assistance) in Trek constitutes proof the large majority of Trek races can interbreed naturally and successfully.

I did never suggest this

We know that Humans can breed with vulcans,romulans and klingons.

I said homaniods and humans are closer than dogs and humans


::sigh:: prove that borg-nonoprobes are "able" to assimilate blood cells of a dog.

The immune system of a dog does not destroy the Hiv virus, the virus is not able to attack the immune system of a dog. The same thing for the nanoprobes, you got no evidnce that the nanoprobes are for designed anything else than the assimilation of humaoid blood cells.

And don't come with "the Borg can redesign the nanoprobes", they know that it is possiple to redesign them to defeat the immune system of Species 8472, they had more than enough time to redesign them after Species 8472 retreated inot fluid space. But they have not assimilated species 8472 at the end of Voyager(how many years 3 or 4? I'm not sure). This means they can not redesign the nanoprobes themselves. [/quote]

[Gil Hamilton]

OK, Robert, you're using fuzzy logic, and I don't mean the AI term. The problem is that it's not our place to demonstrate that they can't assimilate non-humanoids. That's impossible. On the gripping hand, it is logically possible for your to prove that they can.

Now, the thing is that we've seen the Borg over a dozens times, been inside Borg cubes dozens of times and seen at least two groups of Borg that got severed from the Collective. In all that time, every single Borg drone that we've seen has been bog standard Startrek humanoid. Statistically, if the Borg could assimilate non-humans, of the hundreds of Borg drones, we've seen, one of them would be a giant Spider Borg or some other sort of alien critter. Besides, bog standard humanoids aren't the best for many of the functions of the Borg. If you want something to go around assimilating people, a Borg Golden Lab would be better than a Borg drone. It's smaller and faster, thus could deliver nanoprobes much better than a lumbering Borg drone.

So the question is, Robert, if the Borg can and do assimilate non-humanoids, where are they? Point them out, not speculate about nanoprobe theory.

[Death from the Sea]

OK, Robert, you're using fuzzy logic, and I don't mean the AI term. The problem is that it's not our place to demonstrate that they can't assimilate non-humanoids. That's impossible. On the gripping hand, it is logically possible for your to prove that they can.

Now, the thing is that we've seen the Borg over a dozens times, been inside Borg cubes dozens of times and seen at least two groups of Borg that got severed from the Collective. In all that time, every single Borg drone that we've seen has been bog standard Startrek humanoid. Statistically, if the Borg could assimilate non-humans, of the hundreds of Borg drones, we've seen, one of them would be a giant Spider Borg or some other sort of alien critter. Besides, bog standard humanoids aren't the best for many of the functions of the Borg. If you want something to go around assimilating people, a Borg Golden Lab would be better than a Borg drone. It's smaller and faster, thus could deliver nanoprobes much better than a lumbering Borg drone.

But if the dog was assimilated would it not lumber around slowly like all other Borg? maybe a dog or other animal does not posses enough brain power to make a good drone.

So the question is, Robert, if the Borg can and do assimilate non-humanoids, where are they? Point them out, not speculate about nanoprobe theory.

The Borg don't assimilate non-humanoids because they consider them lesser species and would detract from their goal of perfection.

[Gil Hamilton]

But if the dog was assimilated would it not lumber around slowly like all other Borg? maybe a dog or other animal does not posses enough brain power to make a good drone.

Why would they? CyberFido doesn't need to be bogged down with an electronics store, it needs to have extended optical scanners, a radio to connect to the Collective, nanoprobe gun, and maybe a harness with a manipulator arm to get doors open. It doesn't need to be a smart processor, because that's not it's job. It can leave the brain sweat to the drones with bigger craniums.

The Borg don't assimilate non-humanoids because they consider them lesser species and would detract from their goal of perfection.

That's silly. The human body is far from perfect. If you have a Star Spider that quicker thinking, can lift a Honda with it's manipulators, and even knits sweaters from it's own silk that sell for a thousand bars of latnum on eBay, wouldn't you say that it was a superior lifeform than a man? If their goal is perfection, they are shooting crooked if they are gunning for humanity. Besides, that doesn't explain why they were attempting to assimilate S8472.

[Death from the Sea]

But if the dog was assimilated would it not lumber around slowly like all other Borg? maybe a dog or other animal does not posses enough brain power to make a good drone.

Why would they? CyberFido doesn't need to be bogged down with an electronics store, it needs to have extended optical scanners, a radio to connect to the Collective, nanoprobe gun, and maybe a harness with a manipulator arm to get doors open. It doesn't need to be a smart processor, because that's not it's job. It can leave the brain sweat to the drones with bigger craniums.

but the borg don't have specialized assimilating drones. while they have drones specialized for various tasks it is mainly dependent upon where they are working. I am not saying your assimilate the dog idea is a shitty one, but that doesn't mean the borg in all of their not so infinite wisdom think the same. No one said the borg were the sharpest knife in the drawer... well except maybe Robert Walper .

The Borg don't assimilate non-humanoids because they consider them lesser species and would detract from their goal of perfection.

That's silly. The human body is far from perfect. If you have a Star Spider that quicker thinking, can lift a Honda with it's manipulators, and even knits sweaters from it's own silk that sell for a thousand bars of latnum on eBay, wouldn't you say that it was a superior lifeform than a man? If their goal is perfection, they are shooting crooked if they are gunning for humanity. Besides, that doesn't explain why they were attempting to assimilate S8472.

you're right it is silly that they don't assimilate other life and use it to their advantage for certain things but like I said the borg ain't the biggest and brightest light in the sky. and explain how species 8472 is not humanoid. they are a tripedal humanoid species, the borg said in the episode 'Scorpion' that they(S8472) are the pinacle of biological perfection or some such crap.

[Gil Hamilton]

but the borg don't have specialized assimilating drones. while they have drones specialized for various tasks it is mainly dependent upon where they are working. I am not saying your assimilate the dog idea is a shitty one, but that doesn't mean the borg in all of their not so infinite wisdom think the same. No one said the borg were the sharpest knife in the drawer... well except maybe Robert Walper

You were asking if a Borg Dog would lumber around like a zombie and what if it doesn't have the brain power. I responded.

you're right it is silly that they don't assimilate other life and use it to their advantage for certain things but like I said the borg ain't the biggest and brightest light in the sky. and explain how species 8472 is not humanoid. they are a tripedal humanoid species, the borg said in the episode 'Scorpion' that they(S8472) are the pinacle of biological perfection or some such crap.

You're telling me that this is humanoid? Man, you must hang out with some freaks.

[Howedar]

OK, Robert, you're using fuzzy logic, and I don't mean the AI term. The problem is that it's not our place to demonstrate that they can't assimilate non-humanoids. That's impossible. On the gripping hand, it is logically possible for your to prove that they can.

You're pushing it, Gil. There's no reason to assume that the Borg can't assimilate Fido. The only reason we've ever heard for inability to assimilate is superior immune systems that destroy the nanoprobes. We know that dogs do not have vastly superior immune systems to humans. Ergo we can safely assume that dogs can be assimilated.

Now, the thing is that we've seen the Borg over a dozens times, been inside Borg cubes dozens of times and seen at least two groups of Borg that got severed from the Collective. In all that time, every single Borg drone that we've seen has been bog standard Startrek humanoid. Statistically, if the Borg could assimilate non-humans, of the hundreds of Borg drones, we've seen, one of them would be a giant Spider Borg or some other sort of alien critter. Besides, bog standard humanoids aren't the best for many of the functions of the Borg. If you want something to go around assimilating people, a Borg Golden Lab would be better than a Borg drone. It's smaller and faster, thus could deliver nanoprobes much better than a lumbering Borg drone.

We know that Borgification (specifically being connected to the collective) seriously limits the mobility of a drone. In Descent II when drones were separated, they magically became faster and more agile. It is evident that the problem with Borg drone mobility is not their shape, but their connection to the collective.

So the question is, Robert, if the Borg can and do assimilate non-humanoids, where are they? Point them out, not speculate about nanoprobe theory.

I'm not convinced the Borg would have much use for CyberFido. He's got the same problems as a normal drone (slow speed being chief among these), but he's got some others as well. If nothing else, the Borg need to build some redundant regeneration alcoves to service different shapes. CyberFido gives the collective no real increase in capability but costs them more than a normal drone.

[Luzifer's right hand]

"Scorpion, Part One" KES: They take over the blood-cell functions...

They take over the functions of the blood cells, we have no evidence that the borg-nanoprobes can take over the functions of dog blood cells.(if you belive human blood cells and dog blood cells are the same thing, please go ahead and ask for dog blood when you are in need of a blood transfusion the next time)
It's not done with assimilating the cells, they most know how to mimic every function of the orignal blood (both white and red) cells or the dog dies very fast.

[Robert Walper]

OK, Robert, you're using fuzzy logic, and I don't mean the AI term. The problem is that it's not our place to demonstrate that they can't assimilate non-humanoids. That's impossible. On the gripping hand, it is logically possible for your to prove that they can.

You're pushing it, Gil. There's no reason to assume that the Borg can't assimilate Fido. The only reason we've ever heard for inability to assimilate is superior immune systems that destroy the nanoprobes. We know that dogs do not have vastly superior immune systems to humans. Ergo we can safely assume that dogs can be assimilated.

Now if the others could figure out that simplistic logic, we'd be getting somewhere.

Now, the thing is that we've seen the Borg over a dozens times, been inside Borg cubes dozens of times and seen at least two groups of Borg that got severed from the Collective. In all that time, every single Borg drone that we've seen has been bog standard Startrek humanoid. Statistically, if the Borg could assimilate non-humans, of the hundreds of Borg drones, we've seen, one of them would be a giant Spider Borg or some other sort of alien critter. Besides, bog standard humanoids aren't the best for many of the functions of the Borg. If you want something to go around assimilating people, a Borg Golden Lab would be better than a Borg drone. It's smaller and faster, thus could deliver nanoprobes much better than a lumbering Borg drone.

We know that Borgification (specifically being connected to the collective) seriously limits the mobility of a drone. In Descent II when drones were separated, they magically became faster and more agile. It is evident that the problem with Borg drone mobility is not their shape, but their connection to the collective.

So the question is, Robert, if the Borg can and do assimilate non-humanoids, where are they? Point them out, not speculate about nanoprobe theory.

I'm not convinced the Borg would have much use for CyberFido. He's got the same problems as a normal drone (slow speed being chief among these), but he's got some others as well. If nothing else, the Borg need to build some redundant regeneration alcoves to service different shapes. CyberFido gives the collective no real increase in capability but costs them more than a normal drone.

Thank you for the support, Howedar. I was hoping to get someone in here with a little bit more reason.

To further support your and my assertion, Seven of Nine explicitly stated that the Borg Collective is not interested in assimilating inferior forms of life. Seven of Nine stated that a Raven is considered such a lifeform (ref STVOY "Raven"). The Borg Collective isn't interested in assimilating the Kazon, which is a humanoid lifeform with technology. Dogs in no conceiveable fashion would interest the Collective.

The differences in immune systems and biology is a Red Herring. Using this arguement would be implying thousands of races assimilated by the Borg have identical immune systems and biological, when we know significant differences exist between just vulcans, humans, klingons, etc, etc. Not to mention other more distant races in the Delta Quadrant, like the Hirogen, etc.

And the killing blow is that Species 8472 blood cells were idenitifiable by Borg nanoprobes. Once the nanoprobes were modified to escape detection by the Species 8472 immune system, they had no problems targetting and attacking said blood cells. And Species 8472 is a non humanoid organism. I consider the case closed.

[Luzifer's right hand]

Using this arguement would be implying thousands of races assimilated by the Borg have identical immune systems and biological, when we know significant differences exist between just vulcans, humans, klingons, etc, etc. Not to mention other more distant races in the Delta Quadrant, like the Hirogen, etc.

Yes I imply this, why not?
The Vidians could use the organs of many other races.
The doc on the Voyager often healed members of new races, most as fast as he would heal a human. How when they have not nearly the same biological? Many diseases can infect differnt Star-Trek humanoids with ease, most of the time even with the same symptoms. That the other races look at little bit differnt, are stronger or bigger does not matter.

[Robert Walper]

Using this arguement would be implying thousands of races assimilated by the Borg have identical immune systems and biological, when we know significant differences exist between just vulcans, humans, klingons, etc, etc. Not to mention other more distant races in the Delta Quadrant, like the Hirogen, etc.

Yes I imply this, why not?

Because it's refuted by plenty of evidence. I just finished saying we know of plenty of difference, starting with blood.

The Vidians could use the organs of many other races.

That they arfiticially modify to become compatiable with themselves.

The doc on the Voyager often healed members of new races, most as fast as he would heal a human.

I suppose the vast quantity of advanced medical instruments on hand wouldn't account for this, nor would the Voyager database having medical files on hundreds of alien species as a reference source?

How when they have not nearly the same biological? Many diseases can infect differnt Star-Trek humanoids with ease, most of the time even with the same symptoms. That the other races look at little bit differnt, are stronger or bigger does not matter.

Then why couldn't the E-D's crew, a mix of many alien species, give a simple blood transfer to a Romulan prisoner? Why was Worf the only one with compatible physiology, if all Trek races are so similar?

Why did only Kes has the only compatiable organ for Neelix's missing lung? Why not any crewmember? Voyager has many different species onboard. Plenty, with your assertion, that are so biogically compatible.

Your assertion fails. Your entire arguement fails because we know that Borg nanoprobes can identify Species 8472 cells, despite being a non humanoid organism.

Just concede. Further, irrational disputes on your part are not making you look all that bright. Coupled with your terrible grammer, I'm extremely reluctant to start taking anything you say seriously.

[Gil Hamilton]

You're pushing it, Gil. There's no reason to assume that the Borg can't assimilate Fido. The only reason we've ever heard for inability to assimilate is superior immune systems that destroy the nanoprobes. We know that dogs do not have vastly superior immune systems to humans. Ergo we can safely assume that dogs can be assimilated.

There could be other reasons as well.
For one thing nanoprobes are really tiny, and thus can't possibly have huge amounts of memory or lots of variation in their structures. A nanomachine that wants to assimilate a cell may have to go through the same way natural cell assimilators (viruses) do it. Viruses can't go after just any cell, they need to look for specific structures on the cell to connect to, in order to stick their pirate code into the cell to take it over. These cell structures very from species to species, so a virus that effects Fido won't likely be contagious to humans (though stranger things have happened), while chimp viruses have a much better chance of transmitting to humans. Since all humanoid species in StarTrek seem to be biologically human, a generic human cell virus would be useful, since the nanobots then don't have to carry huge amount of memory, processing power, or mutability to work with. It explains why they can't do things that too greatly vary from your bog standard human, and it also explains why a sufficently high immune response will beat them. The body treats the invaders like any virus, and the white blood cells hit the same connectors that the nanobots use to convert cells into nanobot factories or make them receptive to implants.

We know that Borgification (specifically being connected to the collective) seriously limits the mobility of a drone. In Descent II when drones were separated, they magically became faster and more agile. It is evident that the problem with Borg drone mobility is not their shape, but their connection to the collective.

That is a distinct possibility that the Borg Cubes simply don't have the bandwidth to network that many organisms effective and that the collective power of the network drones don't have the processing power, thus resulting in jerky and clumsy motor functions. Then again, Hugh was severed from the collective and he remained as jerky and clumsy as ever in "I, Borg". So did Seven, before they got her out of the rubber body sock with all the hardware mounted all over it.

I'm not convinced the Borg would have much use for CyberFido. He's got the same problems as a normal drone (slow speed being chief among these), but he's got some others as well. If nothing else, the Borg need to build some redundant regeneration alcoves to service different shapes. CyberFido gives the collective no real increase in capability but costs them more than a normal drone.

But we don't know that CyberFido has the same slow speed as normal drones. Remember, my idea for CyberFido only adds extended EM range goggles for his eyes and a harness with a small manipulator arm, plus a nanobot gun on his nose. Aside from slow connection issues with the collective, I can't see why CyberFido would be any slower than a normal dog, since it's not like he's wearing a big rubber suit with half of RadioShack on it.

Besides, the question still stands. If the Borg can and do assimilate non-humanoids, then where are they?

[Kamakazie Sith]

"Scorpion, Part One" KES: They take over the blood-cell functions...

They take over the functions of the blood cells, we have no evidence that the borg-nanoprobes can take over the functions of dog blood cells.(if you belive human blood cells and dog blood cells are the same thing, please go ahead and ask for dog blood when you are in need of a blood transfusion the next time)
It's not done with assimilating the cells, they most know how to mimic every function of the orignal blood (both white and red) cells or the dog dies very fast.

Borg probably cannot assimulate non-humoid species simply because they would have no desire to, not because it is beyond their technology ability.

[Howedar]

There could be other reasons as well.
For one thing nanoprobes are really tiny, and thus can't possibly have huge amounts of memory or lots of variation in their structures. A nanomachine that wants to assimilate a cell may have to go through the same way natural cell assimilators (viruses) do it. Viruses can't go after just any cell, they need to look for specific structures on the cell to connect to, in order to stick their pirate code into the cell to take it over. These cell structures very from species to species, so a virus that effects Fido won't likely be contagious to humans (though stranger things have happened), while chimp viruses have a much better chance of transmitting to humans. Since all humanoid species in StarTrek seem to be biologically human, a generic human cell virus would be useful, since the nanobots then don't have to carry huge amount of memory, processing power, or mutability to work with. It explains why they can't do things that too greatly vary from your bog standard human, and it also explains why a sufficently high immune response will beat them. The body treats the invaders like any virus, and the white blood cells hit the same connectors that the nanobots use to convert cells into nanobot factories or make them receptive to implants.

I expect a pig could be a short-term blood donor for a human patient (since other pig parts are used for human replacement - if someone knows I'm wrong on this, please speak up). We know from TNG that Romulans are too different from humans to share blood. I think we know that Romulans have/can be assimilated, but I'm not sure on that one. If they have, then the Borg can assimilate a bigger difference in blood cells than between pigs and humans.

That is a distinct possibility that the Borg Cubes simply don't have the bandwidth to network that many organisms effective and that the collective power of the network drones don't have the processing power, thus resulting in jerky and clumsy motor functions. Then again, Hugh was severed from the collective and he remained as jerky and clumsy as ever in "I, Borg". So did Seven, before they got her out of the rubber body sock with all the hardware mounted all over it.

You're right about Hugh and Seven. Perhaps it takes longer for bodies to be accustomed to moving more human-like? One wouldn't just magically get used to moving completely differently, presumably the brain would be more used to moving like a Borg. But I can't support that theory, so I concede that particular argument.

But we don't know that CyberFido has the same slow speed as normal drones. Remember, my idea for CyberFido only adds extended EM range goggles for his eyes and a harness with a small manipulator arm, plus a nanobot gun on his nose. Aside from slow connection issues with the collective, I can't see why CyberFido would be any slower than a normal dog, since it's not like he's wearing a big rubber suit with half of RadioShack on it.

But the Borg could do this with a humanoid and it'd still be vastly superior to their normal drones. The Borg are apparently either uninterested in superior drones, or they're too stupid to figure out how to improve them. Either one would rule out CyberFido.

Besides, the question still stands. If the Borg can and do assimilate non-humanoids, then where are they?

As Robert suggests, they may just not be interested.