Scary Morning

[LovinHedgies]

This morning my boyfriend woke me up by saying "I can't find the chinchilla"...I had dreamed last night that Pebbles got out of her cage, opened the door to outside and was playing in the snow - so I freaked out! I have never gotten out of bed so fast! Sure enough Pebbles door was wide open (not sure how that happened... ) I spotted Pebbles right away, thank goodness! But I couldn't catch her. I have been holding her every evening and giving her a treat or apple chewing stick, but she doesn't enjoy being held. After about 30minutes of trying to catch her, I remembered from this forum that chinchillas usually want to be in their cage. Soooo I built a ramp up to her cage and sure enough she ran right back in!!! :dance3: When I approached the cage to shut the door she came right over to me begging for a rub down and treat - I guess she though she was super cool for having time outside her cage LOL.
My question is - should I monitor her for anything? She doesn't appear to be hurt, but the cage is in our computer room (lots of cords). We have a rat that was escaping and she had chewed some cords already so I can't tell if Pebbles took it upon herself to chew some too. I keep peeking in on Pebbles and she is now fast asleep in her cuddle tube. I just worry that she got stressed out since she was out of her cage for the first time, and I don't know how long she had been out. :hmm: I do have emergency supplies if needed (critical care, feeding syringe, blue kote, and dyne).

 

[Chub_Chub]

Definitely keep an eye on the food intake and poops. Good thing you were able to find her! Try to find out how she escaped and correct it for the future if its something she somehow did on her own. :thumbsup:

 

[LovinHedgies]

I am guessing that she got out due to human error, but I am getting a large carabiner today at the hardware store to put around the two FN doors so even if a door doesn't get properly latched the doors won't open wide enough for her to get out! I don't ever want her out running around like that again! I just about had a heart attack!!!

 

[Sandi]

You could get these types of S hooks to more securely keep the FN doors closed.

This pic is from this thread --> http://chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14511&highlight=hook

 

[staceylwolf]

That's the one problem I have found with the ferret nation cage. The doors have popped open on mine twice now.

 

[addictedtochins]

The FN can get dust and junk in those little holes the door pin thingys are supposed to pop into, just vac them clean. Also I use a fleece blanket throw to toss on a chin that needed to be caught quickly.

 

[LovinHedgies]

That S-hook idea looks interesting - if I can't find a caribeaner I'll grab one of those. And I will definatley have to keep an eye on the little holes and vaccum them out.
I did try and throw a blanket over Pebbles, but she was really stressed out and just kept on running around - I was really worried she would hurt herself. Hopefully as she gets to know me better and we have a stronger bond she will be comfortable enough to come to me in an emergency. To bad chins can't learn the "come" and "stay" commands like dogs lol I know how to teach those!