help

[Babyangel122985]

I've had my chins for about 2 weeks and was just wondering something. I usually watch them sleep and they sleep curled into a ball but today after play time my chin just laid down in her tube and streched out so her legs were hanging out of the tube. This made me worried a bit because I know the leg is a very sensitve area and can break easily. So I was just wondering if anyone else's chins have ever slept streched out like this and should I be worried?

 

[Mystic]

How long did you have her out for playtime? Maybe she was just hot? Mine have done that before after a long playtime, they were either hot or exhausted.
If her leg was broken you would have seen her hobbling around or something similar.

 

[cintistatern2005]

My chins sometimes sleep all stretched out. How long did you have them out for playtime? You have to make sure not to let them play for too long. They were probably just really exhausted. The first time I seen my chin lay on his side all stretched out i was so scared. Im not a professional though.

 

[Babyangel122985]

I only had them out for 30min to and hour. I didnt think that was too long. What is a good amount of time because i've heard of some people letting their chins run around for 2 hrs.

 

[Sandi]

Yes some chins do get a few hours playtime. What is the temperature in the chin's play area and cage? I've seen pics of other chins with their feet hanging out of tube, maybe she did get a little overheated or just was real exhausted.

 

[threewingedfury]

Some chins sleep in weird positions. Here's one of my girls with her feet hanging out in her tube. She hasn't been in a position to overheat, nor has she hurt herself sleeping like this. I guess she's just comfortable hanging out, and she does this pretty often.

 

[razberry224]

Or is they see another chinchillas sleep like that they may try it. I have had that happen.

 

[Ristarwen]

Tiffany, that is such a cute picture!!!

But yes, it's totally normal, at least for my boys. Charlie's favorite place to sack out is in his wheel.

 

[Tillygizmo]

My girl tilly always slept in a ball until recently now that she is getting a bit older she stretches out for some reason, they just change

 

[QnMidnight]

This might sound weird, but it could be he's learning to trust you. My chinchilla always slept in a little ball at first, but then he started to stretch out more and more. If I came too close to his cage while he was asleep all stretched out though, he'd jump and give me a "you didn't see that!" look. Now he just doesn't care anymore, and will sleep in whatever position feels most comfortable.

 

[chinsNdobermans]

My chins often stretch out on their shelves or in their tubes. Some chins are just more comfortable that way!

 

[lauralynne]

Yep! They sleep in all kinds of positions...and I notice mine sleep stretched out more when they're comfortable w/ what's going on around them. During the week when I come home from work, usually one is sleeping all stretched out. On the weekends, when we're all home, they usually stay in a ball while sleeping.

 

[Babyangel122985]

Okay, so does anyone have an idea of what a chin would act like if they had a bruise or a broken rib? She had a bit of a fall and landed oddly during play and now im even more worried. Guess its just worries of being a new chin mommy.

 

[Laurie]

You would be able to feel a broken rib, or see it as it would be poking out through the skin possibly. Also with a broken rib there would be very labored breathing. Of course the only real way to rule out any broken bones is to have an xray done.
You need to monitor her and look for any changes in her breathing, eating, drinking and pooping. She could have just bruised something and if that's the case she should be back to normal within a couple of days. Any changes in diet or pooping is cause for alarm and a vet visit.

 

[lauralynne]

Here are a couple of scary pictures of Lola from yesterday. Sleeping half in her tube w/ her head on a ledge. Doesn't look comfy to me...