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Author Topic: Chinchilla acting very odd  (Read 5099 times)

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Matt0925

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Chinchilla acting very odd
« on: January 08, 2010, 02:26:57 PM »

My girlfriend and I have had our chinchilla since the beginning of october, we bought her and her cage from someone moving out of the country. She so far has been a great pet that we love.

Recently we were out of town for a couple of weeks and had a pet sitter come by and watch the pets. Well, we get back and he did a terrible job. The pets seemed ok and we started getting them back up to normal, however our chinchilla seems to be off still.

When we got home her ears looked dry. At the base of her ears was a red color. It didnt seem to bug her or anything, so we passed it off as too many dust baths while we were gone. That was monday we got back. Today, friday, she woke us up because she was running around her cage making a ton of noise. I know thats not uncommon for chinchillas, however she has never acted in this way before.

We we came near the cage she seemed to be scared of us and hid in her igloo and started to make chirping noises. It was odd, every time she chirped, it was always in sets of two. One loud high pitched chirp, then a quieter low pitched chirp. She made these noises for about 20 or 30 minutes then stopped. Now the only noises she is making is when we approach her, she barks at us.

She is still hiding, and seems to have no interest in coming out. Usually she loves to be rubbed under her chin, and is not afraid of us. She does not seem to enjoy being picked up, so we do not try often, however we do give her a lot of attention. At this point, we are not really sure what is wrong with her. We have not dropped her (although I suppose the pet sitter could have, however we told him not to take her out).

We found a vet, however when we called to ask questions and set up an appointment, they acted like we were crazy, so we are trying to avoid that option for now. Should this continue we wont have much choice however.

Thanks for any replys and opinions
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chinclub

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Re: Chinchilla acting very odd
« Reply #1 on: January 08, 2010, 02:45:08 PM »

Is she eating and drinking ok?  Are her poops normal?  She might just be really stressed out and if that is the case a trip to the vet will just make it worse.  If her only symptoms are chirping and hiding I would give it a little more time.
Are the spots on her ears still there?  Can you take a picture of them and post it?
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Matt0925

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Re: Chinchilla acting very odd
« Reply #2 on: January 08, 2010, 03:12:11 PM »

I covered the cage with a sheet so she feels a bit more secure in there, and as soon as I uncovered it she started chirping and jumping around so I couldn't get a picture. We cleaned her cage on Monday when we got home and I was planning on cleaning it again today, so even though it will stress her out, I think later I will clean it so we can keep an eye on her poop and everything else. I saw her eating and drinking last night, and she was fine then. Is it possible she is constipated? That's partly why I want to clean out the cage asap, so I can see if she is still defacating. If she is constipated, is there something I can give her to help? I gave her a fresh piece of wood and a treat earlier and she wouldn't take either, unfortunately.
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chinclub

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Re: Chinchilla acting very odd
« Reply #3 on: January 08, 2010, 04:30:51 PM »

Usually when a chinchilla is constipated and/or not feeling well they get still.  You say your chinchilla is running around the cage more than usual.  I'm wondering if the petsetter abused her in some way.  (certainly not on purpose, but something obviously happened the upset your chinchilla terribly)
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Matt0925

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Re: Chinchilla acting very odd
« Reply #4 on: January 08, 2010, 04:44:31 PM »

That's what I'm worried about. When we got home, her cage was so dirty she urinated in her food bowl. I'm just surprised because that was Monday and we cleaned everything and gave her fresh food and water, and she has been fine for the last 3 days. I guess I think it's just weird she would start acting abnormally 3 days after we got home, and not right away.

Thanks for your opinion though, the sheet seems to be helping calm her down so hopefully she'll start to trust us again soon.
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chinclub

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Re: Chinchilla acting very odd
« Reply #5 on: January 08, 2010, 07:15:32 PM »

Did you change anything in the last 3 days? a new air freshener, scented candles, ect...
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Matt0925

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Re: Chinchilla acting very odd
« Reply #6 on: January 08, 2010, 07:51:02 PM »

No, but the pet sitter changed her food last week. He ran out of what we had and went n bought a different kind at the pet store.
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chinclub

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Re: Chinchilla acting very odd
« Reply #7 on: January 08, 2010, 07:54:08 PM »

That is very dangerous. You don't want to switch foods without weaning from one to the other.  Do you have access to the food she was eating?
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Matt0925

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Re: Chinchilla acting very odd
« Reply #8 on: January 09, 2010, 10:47:39 AM »

Yeah, we will go buy some at the pet store and mix it in with her current food. My girlfriend noticed that she only runs around a lot when we try and get near the cage, otherwise she just sits in her igloo for hours. After she cleaned out the cage Lily didn't poo for a few hours, which is very unlike her. We gave her a few raisins and we're going to get some hay blocks and her old food today and give that to her n hopefully thatll help.
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Jo Ann

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Re: Chinchilla acting very odd
« Reply #9 on: January 12, 2010, 12:23:07 PM »

  ::think::  I wonder what else the pet setter did while you were gone?  Chinchillas are very sensitive to change ... any kind of change.  I do believe I would have a different pet sitter next time.  Just make sure the new one knows more about chinchillas and is willing to come over a few times to learn what is and is not acceptable for your chinchilla. 

It is your job to make sure there is plenty of food.  I never let the supply get below a one month's supply of food for my little ones.  I usually keep a minimum of 3 month's supply on hand.

If your little one was only on the other food a week, I would start the mix with 1/2 and 1/2 of each, rather than starting with 1 to 4 ratio, like would normally be done.  If your little one preferrs his old food over the new stuff the pet setter gave her, I would make the total change back much quicker than normal.

Quote
We found a vet, however when we called to ask questions and set up an appointment, they acted like we were crazy, so we are trying to avoid that option for now. Should this continue we wont have much choice however.
I think I would look around a little more before taking him in to see that vet.   Did you speak with the vet or just with the receptionest?   Don't be surprised at the number of vets that are not familiar with chinchillas ... even the exotic vet classes barely touched on the subject in school.  I was shocked.  I loaned my three favorite books to my vet.   {"The Joy of Chinchillas" by Lanni Richie and others of CA Chins, "After 40 Years Alice Kline Talks About Chinchillas", by Alice Kline and The Rancher's Handbook"}  Each worth it's weight in gold.   ::nod::
That's what I'm worried about. When we got home, her cage was so dirty she urinated in her food bowl. I'm just surprised because that was Monday and we cleaned everything and gave her fresh food and water, and she has been fine for the last 3 days. I guess I think it's just weird she would start acting abnormally 3 days after we got home, and not right away.
Chinchillas are experts at hiding problems ... to the point that many times they are almost dead before we even realize there is a problem.  In the wild, they could not appear to be the least bit sick or injured or the would quickly fall prey to the predators..  They still carry this instinct with them today.  Only the very a observant and  diligent owners often see the problems before it to late.

"Your are what you eat"  and " Death begins in the intestines"  are two things that I have always found to be true ... for man and animal alike.  If you eat what you should, and it is digested properly, the waste will be of the correct color, moisture and firmness, as it should be.  If it is not ... it is often the first warning we get of other problems to come.

 ::wave::  Jo Ann



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cadillactaste

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Re: Chinchilla acting very odd
« Reply #10 on: January 12, 2010, 12:50:12 PM »

I definately think that your chin wasn't happy with your taking a leave of absense. Even though you brought someone in to care for her. I also agree changing the food constantly is not healthy for a chin...or any pet for that matter. And making it a "good" brand not a brand that has tons of treats that the chin will eat and avoid the actual healthy pellet.   You also said you gave her some raisins...We only give our chins one raisin per day. I was told that to many can cause issues.

Also...hay blocks are good...my guys were raised on the blocks. But my guys seem to enjoy the fresh loose Timothy hay over the blocks. Also...having hay is important to their diets. They need that for food not as a "treat".

How are her ears? You mentioned an issue with them...are they the same or back to normal...or worse?  You mentioned she had peed in her food bowl...the person who was careing for her...didn't change it out and clean it?

 I'm a bit controlling. When we leave for vacation...I bring the sitter in...and have them for a few days...do my routine...With me watching. [Luckily it's a neighbor]  But then I also have it typed out step by step what is expected of them . [Which is saved to my computer so it's easily reprinted each time it's needed] I have this in two areas...one when they first walk in...she is to overlook everything before heading to the animals....And then I have a printed sheet for each critter we have she's to care for in the room near their cage taped to the wall. For example...the chins are to be spoken to in a soft quiet voice with the door to the room closed "in case" one could get out during the doors being opened. I've also showed her how to sit the chins bath out if they would get out...to recapture them easily without chasing them around the room. And the things they MUST do and how I like it done. And I've never had an issue with my chins on the return trip home...And the sitter keeps their litter pan clean and their cage as I would if I were home. We came home early one time...and it was exactly how I always keep things. I too would either educate the sitter you used...or as stated...find another one. But what ever the case...possibly have them visit and show them the proper ways of handling your chins. Then...you won't have to worry about leaving them next time around... ::nod:: ::silly::

 A dirty food bowl. Sounds as if she wasn't liking the new food they placed in her bowl if you ask me...lol~ I hope you got the food thing worked out...how is she doing by the way?
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Re: Chinchilla acting very odd
« Reply #11 on: January 13, 2010, 10:54:03 AM »

Yes chins can be picky too. I have tried some Mazuri that a friend sent me with a new kit. She sent loads so I thought I'd just try my herd as see what they thought.
Well some gobbled it down while others flicked it out of the dish and ate their regular. I had some cages with my feed on the floor but most had the Mazuri on the floor.  ::)
I didn't bother to start shipping it in after that.  ;)
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