Chinchilla Community Forums

Chinchillas => Health => Topic started by: Deeliteful on March 03, 2009, 06:39:00 AM

Title: Chin had surgery and I am worried
Post by: Deeliteful on March 03, 2009, 06:39:00 AM

Ok we had MeeKeeMoo neutered yesterday. Its not been a full 24 hours yet and as I understand it He probally wouldnt be interested in eating much for 24 hours but I am worried . I cant tell that he has been drinking and the only thing he wants to eat is raisins and more disturbing is he hasnt pooped .

Now we were given metacam to give him for pain and perhaps that has something to do with him not wanting to eat. I am just worried . Should I have to hand feed him what should I give him ? I have syingenes if i need them I just need to know what to do incase I have to do it.

Title: Re: Chin had surgery and I am worried
Post by: Harleychin on March 03, 2009, 07:37:23 AM

For now please stop giving the raisins,all that sugar can get his gut bactiria out of whack.
If he's not eating and pooping then you will need to hand feed to keep his gut moving
Measure his food and mark his water bottle.You need to know for sure how much he is eating and drinking
Call your vet and tell them whats going on you may need some Propulsid to get his gut moving and they may be able to show you how to do the feedings.
Keep giving the Metacam,it's for pain.
The sooner you take action the better.You want that gut moving.
Please keep us updated,I will be thinking of MeeKeeMoo!

Title: Re: Chin had surgery and I am worried
Post by: Jo Ann on March 03, 2009, 07:52:35 AM

 ::silly::  When a chin's digestive system slows or stops, the chin is in big trouble!  Please read the article below.

Don't Let the 'Cure' Kill Your Chinchilla!  @  http://www.geocities.com/jobernstein1949/

 If he is not pooping within another 24 hours, I would try giving him one or two almonds ... normally I do not recommend giving a chinchilla nuts of any kind ... BUT ... when one is stopped up, this is the last resort that seems to work. 

Of course I never recommend neutering either ... chins do not react well to surgery.

 ::wave:: Jo Ann

PS  Please keep us posted on how he is doing.

Title: Re: Chin had surgery and I am worried
Post by: Deeliteful on March 04, 2009, 03:56:49 AM

We have started hand feeding . He isnt taking any food or water on his own but will take it by hand feeding. Still no poop though . He did eat half an almond . We are going to take him to the vet this morning.

Title: Re: Chin had surgery and I am worried
Post by: Jo Ann on March 04, 2009, 07:21:03 AM

 ::silly::  If he is not pooping, then that explains why he is not eating.  When the pooping stops, usually there is a blockage, because there is a blockage, MeeKeeMoo feels like he is full/not hungry.  It's a cycle you want to get him out of a.s.a.p.   One of the other ladies on the forum had a chin with this problem ... I think it took two whole almonds.  When he finally pooped it was a chain about 3 to 3 1/2 inches long.   That's allot of poop!   rofl    But then, he was all better.   :::grins::

Have you given him any yogurt?  (Yogurt was listed in the article I ask you to read. My chins like the strawberry and blueberry the best.)  Got to get him on something that will replace the flora in his digestive system.

If he is not drinking, then, he will become dehydrated ... not good.  Keep water in him as often as you can get him to drink it.   You might try putting some cranberry juice mixed with water (half and half of each).  This usually tastes good to a chin and he will take more.  Also, it helps to clean the kidneys.

If you have a blender, put a small amount (about one stuffed cup full) of hay in the blender ... grind it up fine (caution: do not remove the lid until it settles).  Mix this powdered hay with a small amount of water (add the water a few drops at a time) forming raisin size balls.  Offer these to him one at a time.  If he will not eat it that way, you may have to add cold water and feed it to him in a syringe.  A chinchilla can live on hay and water alone.  As a matter of fact, many vets will stop the pellet food and put a chin on hay and water only.  (To keep the extra nutrients he needs, I usually use Alfalfa hay instead of Timothy hay when they are sick, pregnant and or nursing.)

If you have, or can get some acidophilus, add a small amount (dump contents of one capsule or 1/4 teaspoon) of that to the hay powder before adding the water to make the hay treats.  IF you use the acidophilus, you must refrigerate the unused hay treats in an airtight container.   Acidophilus can be found in your health food stores ... once you open the bottle ... keep the bottle of acidophilus refrigerated or it will go bad.  If the health food store says they do not have any ... ask for Sensi Dophilus by Natur's Source ... allot of people do not realize this is acidophilus.  Any brand will do, but this is one that is most commonly found.

Keep us posted!

 ::wave::  Jo Ann

Title: Re: Chin had surgery and I am worried
Post by: Deeliteful on March 04, 2009, 09:41:29 AM

We took him to the vet this morning and we will be picking him up around 2:30. He is pooping a little bit . Small poops. The doc seems to think He is not reacting well to the metacam. They are giving him some fluids because he is a tad dehydrated. I am relieved to see poop . I never thought I would be so happy about poop.  rofl Now I will be even more happy when He is eating and drinking on his own.

Title: Re: Chin had surgery and I am worried
Post by: Jo Ann on March 04, 2009, 11:12:36 AM

 ::silly::   Yep, the pain meds are often a double edged sword ... because when you are in pain, you are usually not up to eating, so you need the pain meds ... but ... if you do give him the pain melds, it tends to cause constipation.  (Same as antibiotics cause constipation, but for a different reason.)

Is the vet keeping him on an IV all day or just injections of fluid?

 rofl   With chinchillas, you learn to love a good firm, large, moist poop!   rofl   

  :D  Only in the Wonderful World of Chinchillas!  :D 

 ::howdythere::   Jo Ann

Title: Re: Chin had surgery and I am worried
Post by: Deeliteful on March 05, 2009, 05:37:57 AM

It was just injections of fluids. He pooped alot yesterday for the vet . His carrier was filled with poops . Now it seems he isnt pooping or eating or drinking again . I have hand fed him some more and he seems a bit perkier . At least now he peeks out of the house at me . Before he wouldnt . How often should I hand feed him and give him water and how much of both should I be giving him at a time?

Title: Re: Chin had surgery and I am worried
Post by: Debbie.nl.ca on March 05, 2009, 07:46:32 AM

Feed as much as he will take comfortably, and try the yogurt, it really helps.
If it seems like little amounts try 3-4 times per day. Stretch it out so there is a late night feed.

Title: Re: Chin had surgery and I am worried
Post by: Jo Ann on March 05, 2009, 10:09:34 AM

 ::silly::  Like Debbie said   

Quote

If it seems like little amounts try 3-4 times per day. Stretch it out so there is a late night feed

  Or more often if he will eat/drink, you gotta keep the system going.  Remember, when you took him to the vets, he had all that poop in him that he had been holding on to for almost 2 days, that could account for the amount you found in the carrier.   :D  The injections of fluid the vet gave him helped to get him started.  If the poop starts becoming smaller and dryer, call your vet and let him know.

The yogurt (live culture yogurt) will help to replenish the flora in his digestive system, as well as add liquids.  The strawberry and/or blue berry adds lots of flavor, too.  Just remember, yogurt is often an acquired taste, so it may take several tries.  You can get the single serving kind, more economical, take out a small amount to feed him and put the rest in an airtight jar to be refrigerated.  Some chins love it the first time (I have one that will literally cry for it, if she sees me feeding it to another chin.).  Some will take several tries before they learn to like it.  Then, there is the very few that will not take it regardless ... you will know that, if your little one stands on it's hind legs, twirls around in circles while he tries desperately to wipe away the taste with his paws and fussing ... when they do that ... forget the yogurt and bring on the acidophilus!

Normally I do not suggest lettuce, but he has a pooping problem that is being aggravated by the lack of fluids.  I would try giving him a piece of lettuce about the size of a nickle a couple of times a day until he is more 'regular' with his poops.  Lettuce has a high fiber and water content.  Discontinue once he is doing good.

Keep us posted!

 ::wave::   Jo Ann

Title: Re: Chin had surgery and I am worried
Post by: Deeliteful on March 05, 2009, 11:38:28 AM

It is the oddest thing . We took him back to the vet this morning . He has an adema around his rectum . Its swollen. The vet was stumped  ::shrug:: . He has a call into the specialist in Raleigh . He isnt running a fever . He is active to a point . His incision look very good . He really doesnt believe its an infection . I was against any more antibiotics just yet. Thing is he doesnt poop at home but as soon as we left for the vet he started pooping in the carrier.

Hubby is going to get some live culture yogurt today I dont think he will eat it I might have to syringe it to him. If the swelling is worse in the morning or if he worsens any more today and tonight I am going to take him back . I hope the specialist in Raleigh gets back to Him soon and can shed some light on all this. Then there is possibility its all stress related. That the swelling is from straining to poop when he was constipated.  :doh: I am so kicking myself right now.

*Edits to add* Ok he has had about half a teaspoon of the yougurt . How much more and how often should I give it to him?

Title: Re: Chin had surgery and I am worried
Post by: Deeliteful on March 07, 2009, 01:06:13 AM

Ok He seems to maybe be on the mend ... He is showing interest in his grass again .. I saw him nibble some just a few minutes ago and it appears that he has eaten some when I wasnt watching. We stopped hand feeding him the food today but we are still giving him extra water . It doesnt appear that he is drinking . I have been giving him yogurt twice a day and we have had more poops.

The swelling around his bum looks like it is going down. The vet wanted to give him antibiotics and I refused them for now. With his increase in appetite and the swelling getting better I dont want to add to the problem by putting antibitoics in the equation and risking another bout of constipation. As long as He continues to improve over the weekend I wont get them. If he is not improving then Monday I will get them.

He gave me nose nibbles just a few minutes ago . I call them MeeKeeMoo kisses. He has been an incredibly patient. Being rather patient with us poking things into his mouth and all the grabbing and holding and people looking and touching and it all . He hasnt bitten anyone . He even came to me without me having to fish him out of his house earlier.

Title: Re: Chin had surgery and I am worried
Post by: Debbie.nl.ca on March 07, 2009, 10:37:32 AM

Some will eat pellets dropped into a dish of yogurt.
I have an old gal here now who seems to have gotten very lazy. I am worried about her teeth.
She's not been eating much except the yogurt.I put about 1/4 of a personal size tub onto a dish for her twice a day, and a couple of days ago I began dropping a few pellets and a shredded wheat biscut into it. She's eating a personal size tub every 2 days.I'm guessing the pellets soften and she is now eating what ever I put in the yogurt.I have stopped the shredded wheat, and just leave one dry in her cage. She does nibble on it but prefers the pellets dipped in yogurt.
I know her time is short but she was my first kit and I will continue to do what ever I can until I see signs that she is suffering.They have a way of letting me know when enough is enough.
They are all so different so when one is sick I try everything I can think of and read about until I find what works for each.
She is drinking the home made pediolite.

Title: Re: Chin had surgery and I am worried
Post by: Deeliteful on March 07, 2009, 11:42:52 PM

Today was a break through day. He Ate grass . He ate and ate and even ate a little kibble . The poops are coming more regular now as well and the swelling on his little bum is way down from where it was. He was much more perky and even moved around his cage quite a bit.  ::bouncyball:: I am so happy. I know its not over yet but this is such a big improvment.

Thank You all so much Joann , Harley and Debbie for your responses and help . I do not think I could have gotten through this week without you . You Joann are the Queen of the Chinchillas  ::thumbsup:: . You should right a book on the proper care of chins to replace the out dated ones on the the market.

I will continue to watch him for the next week to make sure the progress is continueing to improve and keep this thread updated until I am for sure we are out of the water.

Title: Re: Chin had surgery and I am worried
Post by: Jo Ann on March 08, 2009, 07:27:31 AM

 ::silly::    Always remember ... what we say here is from experience, we are not veterinarians ... each chin can react differently ... our advice should never override a good exotic pet vet that knows about chinchillas.    (I always like to add that statement ever so often, so that the new members know we are not vets.)

 

Quote

The vet wanted to give him antibiotics and I refused them for now.

  In the future, you might want to go ahead and get the meds (especially going into the weekends or holidays), even if you don't think your little one needs them and keep them in the refrigerator ... you may need them at a time the vet is not available.  It never hurts to have a little bit on hand and that is much less expensive than an 'after hours' trip to the vet.   ::nod::

Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

 ::clapp::  I am so glad MeeKeeMoo is doing so much better! 


 ::thumbsup::   Debbie, using the yogurt that way was a great idea!     ::nod::    I've never thought of that as a way to soften the food.  I'll have to try that!     :::grins::

Have you thought of using your blender to grind up whole wheat grains and sprinkle them in the yogurt for her as a treat?   I've done that, and they seem to like it.

Deeliteful, Thanks for the compliment, but there are three books on the market now that tell it all!   "The Joy of Chinchillas" by Lani Ritchey, "After Forty Years ..."  by Alice Kline and "The Ranchers' Handbook."   They are a little expensive, but are worth their weight in gold!

 ::wave::  Jo Ann

Title: Re: Chin had surgery and I am worried
Post by: Jenova on March 10, 2009, 04:42:06 AM

I'm so glad he's much better. ::nod::
Did you ever find out what the swellng was?

Title: Re: Chin had surgery and I am worried
Post by: Deeliteful on March 10, 2009, 01:17:47 PM

I have no idea what the swelling is . It is still somewhat there but its not red or hot to the touch like fever . He still has no fever and he is eating all on his own now . He is pooping all normal . He is pretty active and even comes to sleep outside of his house now . He is looking so much better than he did last week at this time. I am still keeping a close eye on him . I do have one question about the yogurt . Is it ok to give that to him daily or should I cut back?

Title: Re: Chin had surgery and I am worried
Post by: Jo Ann on March 12, 2009, 12:52:27 PM

 ::silly::  I would not cut back, unless you just want to.  All of mine love it.  I pass it out like a treat sometimes.  You can use Popsicle sticks and dip the end of them in the yogurt, then let MeeKeeMoo have the stick and all.  Some of mine act like they've done something special when they get to 'steal' the stick.  I use to use the regular Popsicle sticks, then I found the mini ones in a craft store ... the chins seem to be able to hold them better ... then they get to use them as a chew stick, too.   :::grins::

 ::howdythere::   Jo Ann

Title: Re: Chin had surgery and I am worried
Post by: Deeliteful on March 13, 2009, 03:34:22 AM

I will have to try that Joann.

He is doing great . He is all active and bouncey . the swelling it almost all gone . He got to have a good dust bath yesterday which made him very very happy . He rolled and rolled for a good 10 minutes . He hadnt had one really since before the surgery. His eyes look bright . He perks up now though he is a little skiddish about the door being opened . I can understand . I mean for a week everytime we opened it were were pulling him out to stick something in his mouth .

So now I am working on letting him know just because the door opens it doesnt mean we are going to torture him.

Title: Re: Chin had surgery and I am worried
Post by: Deeliteful on March 20, 2009, 06:14:04 PM

Well he is doing great . Eating and drinking and pooping per normal. The swelling is gone and all seems well . He has pulled through .

Title: Re: Chin had surgery and I am worried
Post by: Debbie.nl.ca on March 24, 2009, 03:03:31 PM

 ::bouncyball::
That's awesome, great job. Congratulations ::clapp::

Title: Re: Chin had surgery and I am worried
Post by: VenusTheChin on March 25, 2009, 02:29:57 PM

Great news!  ::gobananago::  ::banana::

Title: Re: Chin had surgery and I am worried
Post by: Jo Ann on March 28, 2009, 07:24:53 AM

 ::silly::   Great!   ::silly::