Pip the Robo

[Maz]

Thanks Rainbow, Zara and ilguy Now I just need him to come out It has been a bit chilly the last few days and then Pip hides away.

 

[elusive]

I think Pip’s been round to my house, I keep losing my teaspoons!

 

[Maz]

I only have two of the very small ones left!

 

[Maz]

I saw Pip last night for the first time for ages. He didn't seem too steady on his feet and toppled off his cork log at the front. He righted himself and then managed ok running up and down his ladder. I think it's his back legs. But he is seeming quite elderly now. I'm wondering if the colder weather is affecting him as well. We've started having some heating on the last few days, just a couple of hours late afternoon.

I'll keep my eye on this in case his cage needs adjusting and a firmer surface to walk on eg. So must find that tripod! So I can set the nightcam up properly.

 

[elusive]

Sounds a though he’s managing ok overall, they do get quite unsteady & wobbly as they get older but you’ve levelled most of his cage haven’t you?
The cold might affect him a bit I would imagine, probably get a bit stiff like we do.

 

[Maz]

His cage isn't levelled out exactly, just low level climbing (eg the cork log). He was fine on the wood ramp though.

 

[elusive]

That’s what I meant really, hopefully he’ll still be able to manage low climbs for a while yet.

 

[Maz]

I was just surprised to see him topple off the edge of his cork log, which is very low.

 

[elusive]

When they get a bit wobbly & unsteady on their feet they can fall off low things or sometimes just topple over on the flat a bit, maybe if they’re used to moving really fast they misjudge things a bit.

 

[Maz]

Yes - he just seemed a bit wobbly generally. But then picked up a bit.

 

[Maz]

So I found the tripod and got that set up but needed to move an extension cable to reach, and in doing so knocked the camera over and it fell on the floor. And now not working. I will give it a bit of time as this happened once before and after some time it came on again.

But this is how the first one got broken!

 

[elusive]

Fingers crossed it will be ok after a while.

 

[Maz]

There’s a chance but it seems pretty dead.

 

[Maz]

Ah - it’s on again and working . It seems to have a mind of its own.

 

[elusive]

The secret life of technology!

 

[Maz]

Stopped working again . I moved it slightly.

 

[Maz]

Camera is definitely dead as a dodo now. I have another identical one coming tomorrow. Luckily it was on sale.

 

[Maz]

Pip is looking quite doddery still. He actually seems to be worse since he started the Metacam and I’m wondering if it’s not suiting him for some reason. Or it may be coincidence - he is quite old. He came out this evening and ran in his wheel and moves about the cage fairly nippily but his body language doesn’t look quite right and his ears were flat to his head. It may be he had just woken up so I’ll see what he looks like later. He seems to have lost more fur under his front legs as they are looking longer now as well.

He is a little old man. Probably about two years 3 months to 2 years 6 months, I’m not sure but he’s been with me for over two years now.

Anyway the camera is rubbish. I ordered what I thought was the identical one but the brand name has changed and the picture is really bad so I don’t think that will help me see Pip very well.

 

[elusive]

It’s a real shame about the camera, I hope you can get something which will give you a better view of Pip & how he’s doing.

 

[Maz]

Thank you. I was inclined not to give him the Metacam tonight as he seems worse for it. But then I wouldn’t want him in pain either and it could be coincidental. So I’ve given him a half dose tonight. Will see how he gets on tonight.