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Author Topic: Help with injured chin  (Read 4525 times)

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bman6185

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Help with injured chin
« on: November 21, 2009, 06:53:36 PM »

So we came home to 1 of our 2 chins limping badly and not putting any weight on his left rear leg. Took him to the vet and got xrays and she said he didn't break any bones and might have a torn muscle or just a bad pulled muscle.  She said to just watch him and not to let him jump or do any heavy activity. It's been a few days and he hasn't shown much improvement. Also, his foot is swollen. Anything I can do or watch for, or should I just bring him back to the vet?I was just curious if anyone had any advice? Thanks.
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Harleychin

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Re: Help with injured chin
« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2009, 07:48:09 PM »

Call the vet and tell them whats going on.They should be able to tell you if you need to bring him in again.

Is he eating,peeing pooing OK?
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bman6185

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Re: Help with injured chin
« Reply #2 on: November 21, 2009, 08:06:44 PM »

Yeah he seems to be eating, peeing, and pooing normally. He's drinking a bit less than usual, but he is eating his hay normally and won't refuse a treat :)
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Harleychin

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Re: Help with injured chin
« Reply #3 on: November 22, 2009, 07:44:25 AM »

Good,If he quits eating,pooing or peeing take him in right away.
Since all that sounds good I'd just call them and tell them about the swelling and keep him restricted.
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Re: Help with injured chin
« Reply #4 on: November 23, 2009, 06:30:42 AM »

 ::silly::  Watch him carefully.  You say he's drinking less, watch that especially closely.  That can lead to dehydration. 

If you have scales that weigh in grams increments, check his weight daily ... if it drops two days in a row, let the vet know.  Try to weigh him at the same time each day.  If he had not been sick or injured, I would say weigh him monthly, but since he has been injured, it never hurts to keep an eye on it.

Watch for any change in his poop ... if it appears to be getting smaller or dryer or even less of them, or changes color or gets mushy or looks like it is covered with a clear mucous (like raw eggwhite), let the vet know immediately.  These changes can give you a warning that something is beginning to go wrong, before you can see it.  The changes in the poop of a chinchilla is often an early warning signal of something bad, if it is not completely normal.

 ::wave::  Jo Ann
« Last Edit: November 23, 2009, 06:32:43 AM by Jo Ann »
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bman6185

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Re: Help with injured chin
« Reply #5 on: November 23, 2009, 05:30:46 PM »

He is still drinking a bit less than usual, but the poop still is normal. He is still limping so we are taking him back to the vet tomorrow.
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Debbie.nl.ca

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Re: Help with injured chin
« Reply #6 on: November 25, 2009, 08:26:47 AM »

We get so amused by their antics but they can and do injure themselves ricocheting around the cage.
How many times do I hear a little yelp when they hit their toes on a shelf.
You've had it x-rayed so nothing is broke, but pain they seem to keep to themselves, so we have to watch for changes. Changes that can lead to other problems harder to deal with than  a hurt foot.
Do let us know what the vet says. ::nod::
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Re: Help with injured chin
« Reply #7 on: November 25, 2009, 05:35:33 PM »

So the vet said that chances are it is nerve damage that is just going to take a while to regrow the nerves to the foot, so he put him on a painkiller and an antibiotic, and to keep him separate from his brother and on one level. The swelling is still noticeable but the vet doesn't seem to think it is anything to worry about, yet. So it just seems like time will be the cure.
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Re: Help with injured chin
« Reply #8 on: November 26, 2009, 09:24:03 AM »

 ::silly:: 
Quote
... so he put him on a painkiller and an antibiotic,...

I would be sure to give him some yogurt or acidophilus half way between doses of antibiotics. 

Antibiotics kill all bacteria, including the good ones that keep his digestive system moving properly.  The good bacteria in the tummy that helps digest his food properly is often referred to as 'flora'.  If a chin's digestive tract slows or stops, you could be very much in danger of loosing him.  Their systems are touchy when it comes to meds. 

Why such a fuss over constipation?  Constipation for humans is aggravating and uncomfortable, for chinchillas it can be deadly. 

Why halfway in between?  Because the yogurt is a milk product and milk products and most antibiotics work against each other.  It would be like not treating him at all.

 ::wave::  Jo Ann
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Re: Help with injured chin
« Reply #9 on: December 07, 2009, 07:38:07 PM »

Update:

So our chin is feeling much better, running around like normal. The vet has us keeping him relatively confined still, but he is mostly back to normal. But now he is chewing on his middle toe on the leg that he hurt. I asked the vet and he said it was probably because he still can't feel some of his foot due to the nerve damage and that he might be trying to chew it off, so he said he can bandage it, but he will probably chew it off. He suggested using Betadine and a water solution twice a day on it. My question is, is there anything else we can do because the vet said all he can do it bandage it or in worst case scenario amputate the toe. So is there anything anyone suggests we can do at home to help him out, to either discourage the chewing, or to protect it. Thanks everyone.
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Re: Help with injured chin
« Reply #10 on: December 10, 2009, 11:09:23 AM »

 ::silly::  Many times, animals will try to remove what they know/think is no longer of any use.  If that toe is 'dead' it will eventually have to be removed ... BUT ... chinchillas also have this thing about helping themselves heal ... much like a cat or dog ... they will lick or chew off scabs to help heal the injured area by letting fresh air get to it. (Also, the scab causes an drawing/itching/burning sensation as it hardens.)  Sometimes they can get a bit over zealous about this and make things worse, but not usually.  If he chews on it to the point it bleeds or gets to the first joint, the vet may need to amputate it.

If it were me, I would try using a little Neosporin (triple antibiotic ointment) on it 2 or 3 times a day ... this will keep it moist and kill any bacteria that the toe might be exposed to.   This should help keep it from drawing and burning and maybe the chin will quit chewing on it.   It's more of a wait and see thing ... but you have to make that decision as time goes by.  Should there become any redness, swelling or fever, let your vet know immediately.

Please keep us posted on the progress.   :)

 ::wave::  Jo Ann
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Re: Help with injured chin
« Reply #11 on: December 10, 2009, 03:23:46 PM »

Yeah. The vet suggested Betadine and water solution 2x a day. Would the neosporin be better? He doesn't seem to be chewing any deeper so it just seems like it begins to heal then he chews it again. So like you said it just seems to be a waiting game. The vet said that we can try bandaging it with self adhesive bandages to slow down the chewing.
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Jo Ann

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Re: Help with injured chin
« Reply #12 on: December 11, 2009, 05:28:53 AM »

 ::silly::  If it were me, I would follow the vet's instruction of the Betadine/water solution twice a day, then halfway in-between those, I would use the Neosporin also.  Both kill germs ... Bedtadine soaks in faster, but the Neosporin keeps it softer longer.  As medications, they compliment each other.   ::nod::

 ::howdythere::  Jo Ann
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Re: Help with injured chin
« Reply #13 on: December 16, 2009, 08:56:49 AM »

Aww the poor baby, yes I have seen them chew off parts that didn't work anymore, or was hurting or itching them.
I have one with a tail amputation and I've had to keep socks on the stump or she chews at it. Put a bandage or sock and she never bothers it.It's been like that now for about 6 years or more. Funny critters I tell you.
But yes I think on his foot he would just chew it off.
I'm so glad he doing better.
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