Is Oreo OK?!

Lalsa87 · 05-20-2016, 01:11 AM

I got Oreo a new cage about a month ago and I think she really liked it. I then had to move home so put her back in her old cage for a bit before I could get the new cage to the new house (it's very big and fragile so not easy to move). Oreo was in her old cage for about 2 weeks and I've just moved her back into the newer cage. I put the substrate from the old cage in the new cage and didn't disturb her nest so she had a safe place to go.

She seems fine in herself - walking around - nothing strange in the new cage suggesting ill health like blood but last night she was sort of squeaking as she breathed out. It wasn't constant but went on and off most of the night. She was even doing it in her house. It's morning now and she is quiet and asleep in her nest. Haven't stressed her out by picking her up and doing a check. Was just going to leave her for 3-4 days and not disturb her.

Do you think it could just be moving cage stress?

cypher · 05-20-2016, 01:31 AM

That's quite a lot of changes for her so she will need some time to settle again but if you continue to hear strange breathing noises I would be more concerned about a health issue rather than just stress, try to keep a close watch without too much disturbance for now & see if it continues.
Is there anything different in the new house or room she's in that might be bothering her?

Pebbles82 · 05-20-2016, 02:05 AM

It is a lot of changes, as Cypher says and it could take her a good couple of weeks to adjust. Does she have her old toys and wheel from the old cage, and are you using the same kind of substrate as well as the old substrate? As Cypher says keep an eye on the breathing. Make sure she has a huge pile of torn up plain white toilet paper for nesting. You could maybe scatter her food as well - food is always a bit of a distraction and they enjoy foraging for it. I put half the normal amount in the food bowl and scatter the other half. Talk gently to her through the cage, that can be reassuring. And maybe hide a few treats here and there in the cage. Definitely don't do any cleaning for the first couple of weeks. If it gets a bit whiffy maybe take a handful of substrate out in her wee area and replace it with a new handful, but mix it in a bit so it still smells familiar.

She is maybe just having bad dreams and is disorientated, but if she shows signs of breathing difficulties you might need to take her to a vet. If the substrate is the same it shouldn't be that.

Just having a cage change in a new house and a different place, with all the different smells is bound to freak her out a bit. How old is she?

Lalsa87 · 05-21-2016, 08:56 AM

I gave her loads of tissue (white unscented kleenex) and before I've used toilet roll. Could it be that? I also put a new toy in there and have since removed it because I don't think she liked it.

She isn't making the noise all the time - she is moving around the cage normally, eating and forraging etc. Still making the noise overnight occasionally. Thing is she never used to be in our bedroom so she could have been doing it for ages without my knowledge.

Only other thing I can think is that she is a bar chewer and her new cage has no bars. Could she be frustrated by that?!

cypher · 05-21-2016, 09:26 AM

I would remove the kleenex or what may be left of it, it should be ok but doesn't break down as readily as toilet tissue, it's not that likely to have caused any real problems but you don't really want to take a risk.
If the breathing noises have lessened it may be stress or it may be something she's getting over, I would continue to monitor her closely just in case she does need some kind of help but otherwise give her time to adjust to her new cage & environment.

Lalsa87 · 05-21-2016, 11:07 AM

The Kleenex is all in her nest - I'm worried moving it will upset her more! I'll see how she goes tonight.

Ceretrea · 05-21-2016, 11:13 AM

I'd expect moving cage stress to be on and off all the time rather than just at night. She's more active at night so the extra exertion could be causing it to be more noticeable. I'd suggest you might need meds if the breathing doesn't clear soon. Stress can so easily make them susceptible to illness but hopefully it's nothing and will clear on it's own. Fingers crossed.

Pebbles82 · 05-21-2016, 12:05 PM

That sounds like good advice. If the Kleenex is in the nest now it's probably ok to leave it. Most tissues tend to separate anyway (the two layers I mean) and then they're thinner.

Lalsa87 · 05-23-2016, 01:11 PM

I think it is on and off all the time - over the weekend I spent more time watching her. I noticed that her water bottle wasn't working properly - hopefully now I've fixed it she will settle. Thanks all.

Pebbles82 · 05-24-2016, 04:00 AM

Hope she settles in soon

It could have been the water bottle or a combination of things. Hide a few treats around the cage - that'll distract her.