Impaction is frequently caused by dehydration and/or the use of antibiotics. When using an antibiotic, something has to be used to replenish the good/live bacteria in their digestive system to keep it going normally. If not, the cure can be worse than the original illness.
Three signs of possible impending impaction is dehydration, which can be seen when the spine appears more prominent, slowing and/or stopping eating and smaller/fewer/dryer feces (poops) seen.
One of the reasons they may stop eating or cut back on the amount can be because he/she does not feel good, but it can also be a sign of impaction. When impaction (constipation) occurs, the digestive system is shutting down ... since little or nothing is being expelled, the tummy remains full, therefore the chin has no urge/want to eat. Once a chin's digestive system shuts down, he/she usually does not live long.
Antibiotics kill all bacteria, the good and the bad. In the digestive system the good bacteria that it kills is often referred to as flora.
There are two ways this can be remedied, that I know of ... yogurt (my chins like the blue berry and strawberry the best) or acidophiles.
When using yogurt, you must remember to to give the yogurt 3 hours before and/or 3 hours after the doses of antibiotics. Yogurt is a milk product and can not be used at the same time as an antibiotic and visa versa.
Acidophiles can be found in most health food stores, usually in a capsule form which can be opened and scattered over the food or mixed with the food/hay that is in a powder form. Once the bottle is opened, it must be kept refrigerated. Food pellets and/or hay can be pulverized in a blender (be sure to wait for it to settle to the bottom or you will have a green cloud in your kitchen) ... cooled in the refrigerator, then add the acidophiles and a few drops of water to form a paste that can be made into little raisin size portions and kept refrigerated in an air tight jar and given to your chin frequently through out the day.
Both of these methods have been proven to work well with most chinchillas that are on antibiotics.
If there is impaction, sometimes one or two almonds will help to get the system going again when used in conjunction with extra fluids. Normally, I do not suggest nuts of any kind, except for this situation. As your friend knows impaction can kill a chinchilla.
Just a thought ahead of time ... should any of your new chins have to be put on antibiotics.
Jo Ann
You may want to read this article:
Don't Let the Cure Kill Your Chinchilla at:
http://www.geocities.com/jobernstein1949/ACureCanKill.htmlNOTE: Please never take any post like this as an lecture or reflecting on your or your friend, when a common problem is brought to light/mentioned, it gives a chance to talk to all on that subject ... many will read this post that need the answer, but are to shy to ask, so one post often serves many.
