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[ChillyBelleBelle]

My husband and I just learned today that we have to get our chinchilla, Belle, spayed. A few days ago we noticed she had some strange white discharge from her vagina so we immediately called the vet and took her in the next morning (yesterday). Belle didn't have any discharge then but the vet wanted to keep her overnight. As it turns out she has a uterine infection and so she's going to get spayed this afternoon (so glad it was caught in time!).

I was wondering what the effects will be, if it will be much different than anything else getting spayed since I know that chinchillas stress easily. If anybody else has had to have their chinchilla spayed, how did your chin react afterward? I'm sure it's different for each one but I would appreciate any kind of an idea of what to expect. I'm also concerned how she will handle the stress of it, especially because I think she's still stressed out from a big move that we recently made.

[Jo Ann]

   I've never had one spayed or neutered ... that is reserved for a life and death situation for me ... that is a very delicate surgery for small animals ... especially chinchillas, because they stress easily ...
BUT, as with any surgery, she will probably be put on antibiotics afterwards. 
Antibiotics kill all bacteria ... the good as well as the bad.  The good bacteria is referred to as "flora", and is what your chin needs to digest her food and keep her digestive system going ... including pooping which is a must for chinchillas.   
With any of mine that have to be on antibiotics, I try to help replace the good bacteria several times a day.  I do this by using yogurt (mine seem to like the strawberry and blueberry the best) and/or acidophiles.  (Found in health food stores and must be refrigerated after opening.)
CAUTION:  When giving yogurt, you must remember that yogurt is a milk product and must be given 3 hours before or 3 hours after the dose of antibiotics ... if not, they will cancel each other out and it will be as if you are doing nothing.

How many chinchillas has your vet spayed in the past?


   Jo Ann

[ChillyBelleBelle]

She came through it all right. The vet told us that when they took out her uterus it was extremely inflammed and it had fluid in it. Thank you very much for your advice, I'm going to talk to the vet about it and see if they would be able to do that. Unfortunately we can't have her with us at the moment b/c we've been staying in a hotel until we get a house so she's going to be staying at the animal hospital for 10 days and they're taking care of her antibiotics and everything.

Our vet has only done a few chinchillas before, and she mostly does rabbits. We didn't have much of a choice and that was the most specialized I was able to find out here where we are.

We went and saw Belle today and she seemed to be doing well and was happy to see us. I noticed that she was moving slower than normal but that's to be expected. I just really hate that we can't have her with us right now. 

[Debbie.nl.ca]

Awww I'm so glad she did well with the surgery, some do & some don't.
Keep us posted won't ya.

[Jo Ann]

    It's great that she is doing well ... sure glad to here it.     

The vet told us that when they took out her uterus it was extremely inflammed and it had fluid in it.

I did not read your first post carefully    ... I thought you said a "urinary infection" ... that's why I questioned the spaying. 

But you said "uterine infection" ... BIG difference!  You vet may not have done many, but it looks like the vet does know what he/she is talking about.  An infection like that could have easily ended her life.  You are very lucky to have found a good one ... that vet's a keeper.   

   Jo Ann

Keep us posted!

[ChillyBelleBelle]

Belle is doing great! We got a call today and our vet told us that she's back to eating properly again and has regained the weight she lost. Her energy is also returning!  I think we're going to go visit her tomorrow.

I'm so relieved we caught it when we did. If we hadn't gone to visit her that day and noticed the discharge my little girl could be dead right now. We will definitely be keeping the vet we found!