REALLY worried!

pinkneon · 07-03-2016, 03:38 PM

About half hour ago I went to put Sweep back in his cage after his playtime. I took him to the cage in his carrier, as he was a little jumpy today for some reason. I usually put him back on the shelf or his Sputnik, and as I put my hands in the cage, he jumped out. He landed on his back. For the next 20 minutes he sat very still on top of his house. I left him alone and put his food out and changed his water. He then started running in his wheel - which at first I thought was a good sign, until I noticed he had food in his pouches. He rarely pouches food, but when he does he takes it straight to his little store, so to see him running with pouched food has concerned me. I also tried to stroke him - to make sure he wasn't hurt - and he jumped. Is he ok? Could he just be in a bit of shock from jumping out of my hands, or is he hurt and possibly in pain?? He has refused his treat (cheese!), though was refusing it during playtime so am unsure if he is just waiting for me to turn the light out. Since he has been back in the cage he has not gone up to either of his levels - which is normally his first place to go as his favorite toys are up there! I have left the cheese in a bowl on one of the shelves, which is the normal place for treats, but am worried he might not be able to get up to it to get it?? He has now stopped running on his wheel and is just sitting in a corner of the cage, still with full pouches!
Is he ok?? Obviously if he is hurt I will take him to the vet tomorrow but I am worried he won't be ok overnight (I could well be over reacting!) He just doesn't seem his normal self

AlfredHam · 07-03-2016, 04:33 PM

I had that happen to me with Alfie before, he was very subdued for the evening but fine by the next day. Just shock I think but if he's still like it tomorrow I'd take him to the vets to put your mind at rest

pinkneon · 07-03-2016, 11:59 PM

Before I went to bed I put some substrate on top of the wheel to see if he had used the wheel in the night. Substrate has gone this morning, however sometimes Sweep will stand outside the wheel and turn it with his paws so I am unsure if the wheel has been used. He hasn't been up to his shelves as his bowl with the cheese and the seed was still there. Have removed the cheese as it went hard and gave him the seed as he was up getting a drink. He has since gone back to bed. I am concerned about him though, so am going to ring the vet and try to get him an appointment - is this classed as an emergency or can it wait if there are no appointments for today?

AlfredHam · 07-04-2016, 12:03 AM

Hmmm, I would explain he landed on his back and hope that they would make the effort to squeeze you in, its better for your peace of mind that he gets seen sooner rather than later. Alfie doesn't like cheese, maybe Sweep doesn't either so I wouldn't worry about that not being gone

pinkneon · 07-04-2016, 12:06 AM

He had cheese before and wolfed it down - literally! It had gone in a couple of seconds last time! And someone in the house ate all the strawberries, so I didn't get a chance to give him a bit to see if he was ok - he NEVER refuses strawberries!

AlfredHam · 07-04-2016, 12:08 AM

How about a walnut? I've heard he's fond of them too!

pinkneon · 07-04-2016, 12:11 AM

Yeah he ignored that too!

AlfredHam · 07-04-2016, 12:24 AM

Oh

I would just say to the vet receptionist that as he so small and fell on his back you're concerned he may be hurt as he is not acting his normal self and is not eating his normal favourites. Hopefully they should think that enough to give an emergency appointment, I'm sure he's fine but it's better safe than sorry and to give you peace of mind. I hope he's ok

pinkneon · 07-04-2016, 12:32 AM

Thanks

He probably is ok, but I worry a lot! Thankfully the vet is only a couple of minutes walk away so can get there quickly! Will keep you updated!

cypher · 07-04-2016, 12:33 AM

It sounds as though he had a scare & is still stressed over it, they will refuse favourite treats if they're scared or stressed & that may be the reason he had a little run in the wheel after the fall too.
It is worth getting him checked over by the vet just in case & I would think they'd do their best to fit you in today if you tell them he's had a fall & may have injured himself.