Morgan fell off the cage

[coeurfragile]

Morgan and Natasha were out for playtime today and were running around on top of their cage when they started to wrestle. Before I knew it, they were at the edge and Morgan had tumbled to the floor. All I heard was a *THUD*

She had scurried under the table that the cage is on, and after waiting about 10 minutes for her to come out, we had to eventually move the table.  She had gone under the table so fast I couldn't tell if a leg was hurt or not, but she went right into the carrying case and back into her cage and seems fine.  I am just a little worried because she fell from about 5ft up, they have a Rat Manor and it sits on top of a tupperware table/container because they did not like being so close to the floor.  She hid in the nest on the first level and wouldn't come out for about an hour, but she finally did and I can see no injuries.  I moved one of the food dishes to the first level just in case she is hurt and cannot get up the ramp. 

She does not seem to have any leg injuries, but she is still very skittish, and hides when Chris or I come near. I am at work now (overnight) and I figured if I could still not pick her up in the morning when I get home, I will take further action. Should I keep an eye on her or do you think she is okay?

Chris says my Natasha is a meanie who threw her off the edge, but I think it was just a case of bad luck. They were really rolling around, and I think she was just the unlucky one who hit the edge of the cage first.

[LastEchoes]

I"ve had a couple of incidents where someone fell off something and it looked like one of those 'omg there's no way she didn't get hurt' falls(like hitting something on the way down). Most of the time they brush it off like nothing ever happened. Sometimes it does freak them out a bit though. Perhaps your girl is bruised and in a bit of pain. I"d watch her very very carefully and if her behavior doesn't change in reasonable time, inspect her closely or have a vet check her over for signs of internal/external injuries.

[JR1030]

Yup, rats are pretty resilient.  I've had rats fall from the FN and be fine.  You do want to keep an eye out in case she gets lethargic or continues to act weird...then you'll want to get her to the vet.

[jesirose]

I had a rat that fell from her cage top, and she was fine. I also had one that was dropped, and I took her to the vet - they checked for neurological damage or concussion and she was fine too. As long as she isn't having trouble getting around I would think she is okay. But it's always better safe than sorry IMO.

[RatAttack59]

I had a little one launch *toward* the cage from my shoulder.  Luckily she didn't hit anything on the way down, but she sure gave both of us a scare!  No damage, just a bit freaked out.

[coeurfragile]

Thanks! It looks like she's walking and climbing fine so I'll just keep an extra close eye on her for a few days.

I think these rats have given me more heart attacks than anything else

[chaa]

'nother vote for 'keep an eye out but dont worry too much' here.  i was sitting in my rat room (which has screened windows) playing with two of my girls and i heard a scritchy scratchy sound.  i couldn't figure out where my third girl was and i figured she was making the noise.  i looked all over and finally found her... easily 6ft 5 off the ground clinging to the very top of a window screen!  naturally i dove for her but she gave up trying to find the invisible ledge that just HAD to be up there and THUNK, BOOM!  she fell onto hard tile, hitting the windowsill on the way down.  she was dazed and confused, but other than never going near that window again she was perfectly fine.

rats are basically amazing.  i have decided this upon witnessing their many near-death attempts to get at yogies.