Less than 100%

[CJR]

Both of my girls (2 and 3 year olds) have been acting odd as of the past three days.

Tia is eating about half the amount of pellets she normally eats and the area around her eyes is mildly damp. She lays on her belly frequently, something she did not use to do - she used to be propped on all fours. She still chews toys, although her choice in them has changed. Her weight is steady.

Bess's weight is also steady.

They both share the following oddities: more lethargic during the day than usual, spacing out more, sleeping more.

Is it possible that this is due to the insane amount of humidity going on here lately? Today it was 57% humidity. The area the chins are in never goes above 72, and it's never even nearly as humid as it is outside.

What do you folks think may be going on?

 

[starleomach]

Humidity can have an effect it makes even safe temperatures more dangerous

 

[Bostongirl'sChin75]

When I noticed my chins doing the exact same thing, I also noticed the humidity was making it warmer than I thought..so I turned down the thermostat and got a dehumidifier and it helped to perk them back up!

 

[Sandi]

I noticed CJ to have some of these symptoms as well as he is the only chin I have on the main floor, the rest of my boys are in the basement, which is 10 degrees cooler than the main floor. The dehumidifier is running right now as I have it set at 45% humidity. At 11 pm the main floor is at 72 degrees with 47% humidity. This afternoon it was at 49%. The humidity outside is 83%. I moved CJ downstairs earlier this afternoon as I was sure the temp/humidity was affecting him. I am watching him right now and he is on his wheel going full blast, it is the first time that I have seen him on his wheel in a week.

Ash, do you have anything that accurately reads the humidity level inside your house? Personally, I do not feel the difference between 41% humidity (a few days ago) to the current 47% reading but it has obviously affected CJ, which is why I took him downstairs. Like Kristy said, humidity can affect temps.

 

[CJR]

Yeah, I know that humidity can affect a chinnie just as much as temperature can. I believe I read somewhere that temperature + humidity should never exceed... what was the number... 120? Something like that?

I'm going to try and get a dehumidifier today.

And Sandi, no, I do not have a thermometer that reads humidity. I will try and acquire one of those also.

 

[ticklechin]

That old calculation about temps and humidity should be retracted by the rescue group that came up with it, just like they retracted flagyl kills. I would lower the humidity and the temp if you can, sounds like they are hot. Maybe if you have some chin chillers add those to the cage also.

 

[Kalandra]

PAsh, go to wal-mart or some other similar store and look in the garden section for thermometers. I picked up one from Wal-Mart a few months back for about $7. I use mine to monitor temperature mostly for the hedgehogs. But I do watch the humidity and have been surprised a few times at how high the humidity had gotten.

 

[caiti]

That old calculation about temps and humidity should be retracted by the rescue group that came up with it

Yea I have read that equation too. I never really got it because what if you live in a really dry hot area so it's like 90F degrees and 30% humidity. I do not know for sure but I can't imagine a chin would be comfortable in that environment.

Pash, if you have an AC maybe try putting a fan in your room. Oscillate it and point it upwards (obviously not into the cage or anything). My little AC tries but it can't circulate cold, dry air throughout the room. I notice pockets of humidity in my room sometimes (I also do not have a door so this may not be as much of a problem for you...I live in a repurposed living room. I made a bifold door out of two pieces of plywood and have a curtain over the doorway but it's not as good as the real thing), but if I put a fan in the room it helps tremendously.

 

[ticklechin]

I have to wonder how many chins died from heat stroke following the temp and humidity should not add up to 150 calculaton that rescue group came up with, this is the same group that does not tell adoptors about A/C I just learned recently.

 

[Laurie]

Pash you do really need to watch the humidity--here in Wisconsin in the summer we are over 50% humidity daily. Even on days it is not hot--72 degrees outside we often have humidity of 70% or above. I run the a/c daily in the summer just to keep the humidity out of the air.

Humidity can also play a factor in URI's as well, so a thermometer that measures both is a great idea.

 

[CJR]

Thanks for the input everyone, I'm working on getting a dehumidifier and a thermometer. The only problem is that work kind of screwed me over and I don't have a lot of money right now.

I know that's a common complaint on here from people who just want an excuse to not do stuff, but I'm being completely legit. I usually have plenty of money, but there was a freak happening at work and they cut my hours hardcore. Until then, I'm going to turn down the thermostat when Dad's not home. I also have frozen water bottles wrapped in fleece for both girls to cuddle up to, although they don't seem to like them at all.

 

[Bostongirl'sChin75]

Yeah, mine didn't like the bottles either the one time I had to use them. So I was forced to move them to the main living space where it is a bit cooler, until I got my dehumidifier. Try looking on CL for a good used one! Or even a used appliance store may have them!

 

[Essentia]

I also throw slabs of granite in the fridge for the chins. They seem to like that better than the water bottles.