Daddy was playing with Reepicheep with her favorite toy and she was acting just fine. Then she went back to the cage and was fine for a few minutes, then she got on top of the cage and started acting funny. She went to the back corner and it looked like she fell down. Dave (daddy) went over to her and started talking to her and she flinched like she didn't know him. She couldn't keep her balance and was having a hard time keeping her eyes open and her wings were limp and she was panting. He went to get her to step up and she jerked back. I went over to her when he told me she was acting funny and she was startled by me. We picked her up and she flew to the other room and then right into the wall. She is a very good flier and never crashes into anything. Dave picker her up and she started making a noise we had never heard her make. We let her sit on one of her flat perches (cutting board with a towel on it) until she settled down after her crash. He then gave her some fresh water (straight from the sink, it's her favorite) and after about 15 minutes of just holding her and giving her "fresh" she is back to her normal self. She isn't fat, we give her a very good diet or pellet and fresh soft food. She gets baths at least once a week and drinks from a glass bottle. She can't get into anything toxic, we don't use teflon, we don't feed her avocado, peanuts, chocolate, caffeine or carbonated beverages. She doesn't pluck, she's never laid an egg, and she is about 2.5 years old. I actually don't know if she is a she, we just assumed it because she bonds with men. I am certainly getting her DNA tested now because I am scared or her getting egg laden and want to know that it may be a possibility. Does anyone know what may be wrong with my Cheep? She is still acting normal now and even played again with her daddy. It just scared me cause it's so late and the vet isn't open and I haven't seen her like this before. Thanks in advance for your help!

I am new to QP's and their medical issues but I know a bit about animal ailments and am a nurse,too. My first thought is a seizure...especially since after seizures the person/animal have lethargy and then confusion...but I do also know that there is something called a "startle effect" that animals experience, though I don't know much about it...so maybe it was that...I hope others with more knowledge chirp in here to help...and of course getting to the Vet first thing is important too..do keep us updated, and I'll have you in my prayers,too-can't hurt

That kind of sounds like a seizure to me also. I remember a couple of years ago, it was 2006 my quaker flew off of my hand and landed on the soft carpet. That was unusual in itself because he just doesn't ever fly. But when I went to get him he was almost leaning sideways on one wing and one of his little feet was curled up. I picked him up and held him for probably less then 5 min and he just came out of it. It never happened before and it hasn't happened since. I sure do know that it scared me to death. I am sure you felt the same way.

sorry to hear about this. it's always scary when something weird pops up, especially if you haven't seen it before. i hope all is well with your little one. hopefully this was just a one time occurance. if it happens again i certainly would be on the phone to the vet for an expert opinion.

kris

We had a little electric space heater under her cage last night and she seems fine this morn, eating her millet and having a good time. I hope this one a one time thing. I think I agree that it was a seizure, not a very long one (thank god) I work at a vet clinic and will talk to my vet when I get to work and see what he says. Thanks for all your help!

It sounds like a seizure to me, too. My mom had a poodle -- I know, different critter, but hang on -- and he had seizures regularly. The vet couldn't seem to figure out why or what to do for it, but when he had one it sounds a lot like how your Cheep behaved (minus the flying! ). He'd be confused and stagger around and after a few minutes, he'd come out of it and didn't even seem to know he'd HAD a seizure. If he was on a chair when it hit, he'd fall off. My parents learned to recognize the signs of a seizure coming on, and they'd get him somewhere safe (the floor or their laps) and stroke his tummy and speak his name over and over while he was having it and that seemed to make the seizures shorter. It sounds like you instinctively did all the right things, but I think you're wise to ask your vet about it as soon as possible, too.