heart issues?

[adoptaratcanada]

Last night Hugh was sleeping on his shelf with his head hanging over. I seem to remember hearing that this is a behaviour associated with heart troubles.

To top it off, he *may* have fallen from the shelf, too, a short while later, but I'm not sure since I didn't see him -- I heard a thunk, then he was on the bottom of the cage (he would have landed on the shelf just below the higher one first, so it wouldn't be huge drop or anything). I seem to recall THAT being a behaviour tied in with hanging the head over/heart issues, as well. I didn't see him so I don't know if it was him or not making that sound.

Since I've only seen him do it the once, and he seems fine otherwise, should I take him to the vet right away? My first impulse is yes, then I can explain away so much of it, which I guess might be denial (?)

Things are always being "thunked" about in the cage. He DOES like to sleep on the shelves (although this is the first time I saw him with his head hanging over) and he likes to sleep on that side of the cage/shelf edge, because he watches me from there. The shelf he was on is the one that has a bird perch sticking in from the cage wall (to use as a step) so he didn't have much room where he decided to snooze and I'm not surprised he might topple from there.

I believe he's been active on the wheel, too, although I haven't seen him...they go on it at night mostly, and usually Locutus lumbers along, while Hugh scampers, and I've definitely heard scampering lately.

Your advice?

Thanks,
Linda

[pinky]

If it were me, and I knew that those "symptoms" were associated with heart trouble, I'd spare myself the anxiety and get Hugh checked out.

[adoptaratcanada]

Yup, you're right, Pinky! I've booked him in for tomorrow morning.

Linda

[Die Fledermaus]

All I can add is also to have him checked out. And good luck.

As for wheels, most of mine don't use them other than to step on and rest in, and that is in three habitats. Several use it to run in, though.

[adoptaratcanada]

Had Hugh to the vet this morning and she listened to his heart and lungs and she said, "those are the clearest rattie lungs I've ever heard!" YAY! She said his heart was going really fast (he was somewhat nervous) but that it sounded fine! YAAAAAY!! He's also put on a bit of weight since his last visit (can't remember exactly when that was - springtime?), so she wasn't worried about him wasting or anything. She said he was looking really fantastic!

He got his nails and teeth clipped while he was there - YAAAY! *lol* He was a really good little boy! I think she charged only for the clippings....it was a very inexpensive visit! Dare I add: yaaaay!

Linda

[pinky]

YAAAAAAAAAAY!

So now you are relieved, and you're not much poorer for it--that's great!

[Die Fledermaus]

>> .it was a very inexpensive visit! Dare I add: yaaaay! <<

That would likely have cost $100 in NYC, assuming I could even find a vet who knows what to do.

Why do his teeth need clipping? Feed him filberts or such to wear down the teeth!

Glad he is fine!

I should post my Great Escape story. And I will in several minutes.

[adoptaratcanada]

zouave said:

Why do his teeth need clipping? Feed him filberts or such to wear down the teeth!

Yes that's something I haven't tried with them. Beyond that, these guys aren't much for chewing (except the gaping holes in the back of their old SuperPet cage with plastic pan).

His bottom teeth were getting long, but more the point, they were starting to grow away from each other.

Linda