Overheating mom?

[javajanie]

My AC died this afternoon. My chins are in the coolest spot in the house and I have a fan with ice in front of it blowing toward the cage. I'm concerned about the mom overheating, but I also don't want to freeze the babies out (they are 5 days old). Is there anything else I can do for mom? When she nurses, her ears start to get really red, but when she's away from the babies, they lighten up and feel cool to the touch. She isn't lethargic and has lots of energy. AC guy can't come til 12ish tomorrow. Thanks.

 

[SunshineChins]

Here is my 2 cents worth... personally I would take the chins somewhere the could be in A/C. Can't you find a pet friendly hotel to stay in or someone's house that is maybe chin friendly? Do you have any chin chillers in the cage? You can also freeze a water bottle and place that in the cage as well. But.. these are all temp. measures and if her ears are turning red she is getting way to hot. I wouldn't worry about the babies getting to cold, as they too can overheat before you realize it.

 

[javajanie]

Thanks

She has a chin chiller. I added a cold water bottle (put another in the freezer to change out). Her ears are back to normal color and she's sitting by the water bottle. We've got some storms rolling in, so it should help with the temp. I wish there was some place we could go, but it's just not an option. The fan/ice is keeping it right around 76 (I've got a thermometer by the cage). It's supposed to get into the 60s tonight, so I'm going to open the windows and make sure it gets nice and cool overnight.

 

[tunes]

Keep the lights off, the shades pulled, a fan blowing down at the floor to disperse humidity, and she should be okay at 76. If it's going down to 60 tonight, you should be okay.

Don't blow the fan with the ice directly on her, instead blow towards the cage, but away from where she and the babies are.

 

[SunshineChins]

Sounds like you have a good plan, 76 degrees you can work with. When you mentioned it was hot and it being summer I am thinking 80s. In the morning I would keep the lights off/shades pulled like Tunes said until your A/C guy shows up and things start to cool down a bit. Hopefully with it being in the 60s tonight it won't warm up to fast before he gets there. Ahh... I do miss those 60 degree nights in the summer.