squished the chin

[shaeway]

Ok, so during play time Teddy got under the couch and just starting squeaking. When he starts this he never comes out on his own. So I moved the couch forward a bit and lifted the front end. When I looked under I had him pinned between the back edge of the couch and the floor and he was wiggling. :cry4: He's hopping around the cage just fine, but I wanted to know if there was anything I may need to keep an eye out for, or if I should take him in for x rays. I was mortified when I looked under the couch. He's my second fav and I don't know what I would do if I lost him. He's eating and begging for treats, so I guess he's ok, but I just wanted some outside advice.

 

[soqrbrad]

I'd find an area that is much more chin proof. Pachuco loves wedging himself under the fridge and we have to use a long stick to slide him out.

I am not sure how much pressure the couch applied, but I would watch his intake and exhaust to make sure nothing internal is wrong. That would be the way to tell in my opinion. But I would definitely find a different place for play time. Check out the cardboard slabs people use to make a play pen if you don't have a suitable room. For about $30 you can get 25 2' x 4' sheets and build a safe zone in the middle of your living room where your chin can do whatever he/she wants.

 

[amsue0222]

I have playtime in my living room still, but I put cardboard around the couch so they can't get under it.
As far as him getting wedged by the couch, I would definitely watch him for a day or two and see if he is moving weird at all. If he is then def. take him to the vet for x rays.

 

[jmdebb]

oh i hope he's okay. I would take him to the vet just to make sure nothing broke inside.

Jean

 

[Chinniechantel]

I agree with Jean, I would bring him in, chins hide injury very well, and he may have a broken leg or foot and not even limp. And definitely get a new playtime space!

 

[Cuddlebug]

I agree with Jean, too. I would take him in for xrays. He could have broken something (like a rib) and you may not see him act any different.

 

[EveningChin]

I'm not going to repeat it but I will agree that you should do all of the above.

I especially agree with a new chin play area. There are so many thing he could ingest under there and you would never know until it was too late, all the strings and fabric... *shudders*. I you don't want to make a big play pen I would suggest a different room and/or putting something to bar his way. We used to use a couple of 2"x4"s to block them from getting under the furniture.

 

[Peep_erz]

I just wanted to add that if the rest of the room is safe and its just the couch you can also surround the couch with fleece. I used to do this in my bedroom to keep the out from under my bed.

 

[shaeway]

The rest of the room is safe, and I've tried the cardboard blockage for the couch, but they make it a mission to break it down and get either under or behind. Teddy is the only one to get under now that I think about it...Man they squich down small, it's only two 1/2 inches or so. I like the idea of fleece though. I could staple it to the wall and then stick it to the couch from behind and then stuff it underneath. Such a good idea. So far he's moving ok, I'm going to the store to get some fleece to put a liner in his cage so I can track poo's easily. Yeah definatly moving good. We just had a run around the cage like a mad chin moment. Thanks guys!!!

 

[chincinnati]

I just wanted to add ad suggestion for chinproofing under the couch. This really only works if you have a skirted couch, but we installed 2x4's underneath. We just cut them to fit all four sides of the couch and drilled them into the frame. Then at playtime I put pillows between the back sides of the couch and the wall. No chins can get under or behind.

 

[chincinnati]

Oh yea, before we did that we used old books. That worked too but my 5 year old kept pulling them out.