My chinchilla had a cracked tooth removed on friday and has not been doing well since. On Saturday I thought he was dying. I called the vet and he gave him an antibiotic. He's a little better. He'll come over to get pet and he is eating the critical care recipe. He really likes it and is eating well.( I also ground up some cuttle bone in the critical care)He does not want to be handled and he is still droolly and his nose is runny. Also he is pulling out all of his fur. I am not sure if he's wet from pulling out his fur or if he's pulling out his fur because it is wet. Has anyone ever had their chinchilla do this or have an idea why he's doing it? =
Pulling out the fur could be from the stress of having the tooth pulled ... stress from the pain ... any number of reasons, but, if he did not chew or pull his fur out before the removal of the tooth, I would think it is from the stress he is going through. How did his fur get wet?
To dry his fur, use paper towels and/or tissues ... paper absorbs faster and better than cloth. You can use a hair dryer ... IF you set at the lowest temperature, lowest air volume/speed and move it back and forth quickly about 12 to 15 inches from him. Do NOT hold the dryer in one spot ... that will cause him to overheat. Do not place him in a draft from the window or air conditioner ... this will cause him to chill and get sick.
While on antibiotics he will need something to replenish the flora in his digestive system. You can do this by giving him yogurt, flavored with blue berries, strawberries, banana or just plain ... which ever one he will eat ... I usually get the individual serving size ... it does not waste as much. When giving him yogurt,
only give it to him 3 hours before or 3 hours after the antibiotic medication ... if you give it to him at the same time, they will cancel each other out and it will be like you are doing noting.
They did not give him any pain medication and he just seems to be pulling out the wet fur. The vet said there is nothing else he can do for him.
I don't think I like your vet either.
If you have anything you use when you have a tooth ache, you may be able to rub a tiny bit on the area and help numb the pain some.
I don't think I would go for the dust baths right now ... he could get some of it into the open wound and cause an infection or irritation. Once the gum has healed, I'm sure he will enjoy a dust bath.
Do keep us posted on the progress!
Jo Ann