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1

North East USA / Rehoming Male Chinchilla

« on: July 14, 2010, 12:16:30 PM »

I have a male chinchilla named Stewie whom is approximately 5 years of age. He was given to me about 2 years ago. Since then, Stewie went through a period of time where I had to force feed him for over 1 month! He has been healthy since then, but for some reason will no longer eat Timothy hay. He was eating alfalfa hay once he started eating on his own, and has taken to that. I also got him to drink apple flavored pedialyte, and he mostly perfers that over water, but my vet said as long as he was drinking she didn't care what he was drinking. So, he has become somewhat of a high maintenenced chin, by which I mean his eating habits are a little unusual, but he is spoiled.
I am trying to rehome him to someone who has more time to offer to him. He gets the best care now, but I am unable to find the time to devote to him. I would love for him to find a home where his owner would take him out of his cage and play with him. I thought this was a good site to post on because everyone gave me such valuable information when Stewie was sick. I do live in Ohio, so the new owner would have to arrange transportation.

2

Health / Re: Chin won't eat... any suggestions?

« on: October 05, 2009, 08:50:46 AM »

UPDATE ON STEWIE:
     I took Stewie to see the Vet last Tuesday. To my surprise, Dr. Susan Seman stated that he looked much better than the last time she examined him! His heart and lungs sounded great, his hydration level was excellent, and he looked more alert and attentive to me. She said that it obviously was due to me being so aggressive in his care. She stated that due to the force feeding, antimetic medication, eye drops, and subq fluids I was giving him, he looked like he was doing quite well. She stated that she wanted me to keep trying for one more week, then take him off everything and see what he does. By that time Stewie would have not been eating or drinking on his own for an entire month. He cannot be force fed his entire life, and she said I would have my answer once I stopped everything.
     I decreased his force feeding to once daily on Thursday because he wouldn't take anything from me in the morning. Since his hydration status was good, I also stopped the subq fluids. I was only giving the relgan once daily as well.
 
 By Saturday evening Stewie was eating pellets and hay again!    My husband and I just couldn't believe it!
I'm mixing alfalfa and timothy hay and only giving pellets (no fancy stuff) He hasn't started to eat his yogurt drops yet  (that's his favorite treat) but he is eating on his own!!! I cannot believe that after an entire month he's eating on his own. I really thought it was only getting worse. Dr. Seman prepared me for the worst and told me that most chins don't come back once their intestines stop. I was determined to prove her wrong and I did... well, Stewie did! 

He hasn't started drinking yet, so because it's been almost 24 hours without liquid I will try to syringe some water into him tonight. If he won't let me do that then I will administer some subq fluids.

Thank you everyone for all your advice. Stewie and I appreciate everything! 

3

Health / Re: Chin won't eat... any suggestions?

« on: September 26, 2009, 12:01:28 PM »

   Sorry about that on the reglan, I was thinking of something else that is an antibiotic.   


 I did make a general statement when I used the word "all", and should not have done so.  Sorry about that ... this is one of those times I goofed.    

     Everyone goofs once in a while.  I just didn't want you to think that I was doing something incorrect with Stewie's medications because I truly respect your opinions. Your education in chinchilla care has helped me tremendously! I also wanted other readers to know that reglan wasn't an antibiotic so they wouldn't be afraid to use it. I think it has helped Stewie the most. 

4

Health / Re: Chin won't eat... any suggestions?

« on: September 24, 2009, 04:34:49 PM »

1)  Antibiotics kill all bacteria, the bad and the good. 

     I'm not sure what you mean by stating that antibiotics kill all bacteria. Antibiotics kill either gram negative bacteria, gram positive bacteria, or both. So, I think it depends on what antibiotic one is using. I do understand that flora is the good bacteria in your intestines that one needs in order to have a healthy digestive system. I have also never heard that milk products counteract with antibiotics. Where are you getting your research from because I'm interested in reading more about that. 
     Also, relgan is not an antibiotic. It's an antimetic. Stewie isn't on any antibiotics presently.
     I also took your advice and shredded an almond in his food the other day. I picked up some alfalfa hay today to see if I could intice Stewie with something different than the norm. It's very possible that he's eating a little of the timothy hay.  Thank you for your advice on how long you would try. I agree and have decided that I will try until Stewie decides he's tired of trying. Thank you!

5

Health / Re: Chin won't eat... any suggestions?

« on: September 24, 2009, 08:40:30 AM »

Update: 09/24/09
     Stewie is finally enjoying the OxBow recovery formula. I have been mixing it with apple flavored pedialyte in order to increase his electrolyte intake. My husband helps me give Stewie 9% subcutaneous fluids twice daily (24cc each time). He is still enjoying his 6cc of banana yogurt flavored baby food as well. I've noticed that his urine is strong smelling, but the vet told me that it's probably because he is still dehydrated. I've just had to clean his cage more often due to this. With all the fluids and OxBow diet that Stewie is receiving, his stools are back to normal. 
     The only medication that Stewie is on at the present time, is reglan in hopes to get his intestines moving again.
The biggest news is that yesterday and today I found 1 sunflower seed cracked open and the insides eaten. I now know that these aren't the best things for chins, however it is an improvement to me because Stewie is going on two weeks without eating willingly.  However, I have noticed that his hay ball is being messed with! I'm not certain that he is eating anything, but his favorite thing to do is sit on his pine shelf and pull all the Timothy hay out of the ball onto the floor of the cage. So, even if he isn't eating the hay, the activity is encouraging. 
     Thank you JoAnne  for all the wonderful tips on force feeding! I actually taped myself during a feeding session so that I could evaluate my technique.  Stewie is now even opening his mouth toward the dropper as if he is enjoying the attention! My husband and I disscussed his progress, and we've decided to wait longer, even though the vet told us it is time to make a decision because she feeels that Stewie isn't going to pull through. We feel like the activity we have noted and the seeds and hay being messed with is encouragning at this point.

6

General Chat / Re: My chinchilla is sick

« on: September 23, 2009, 09:48:49 PM »

He seems a lot better now thank god, he is drinking and eating on his own now so i don't have to hand feed him anymore, and he doesn't seem to be sneezing and coughing as much and is a lot more active.

I am force feeding my chin presently and I was curious as to how long you had to hand feed your chin before he starting eating on his own again?

7

General Chat / Re: Hello everyone!

« on: September 23, 2009, 09:45:58 PM »

My gf's first Chin, Chili, had an impaction. First it was an eye infection then he had trouble eating and it got to his stomach. Pippin, the 2nd one, was put to sleep also after discovery of another impaction. Pip's troubles started with an ear infection. Both were about 8-9 years old.

     I was just curious as to what you did for the two chins before you made the difficult decision to euthanize. My 3 year old male chin has an impaction presently and I've been force feeding for 1 week now. Stewie hasn't eaten willingly in 2 weeks.

8

Q & A / Re: Diet recommendations

« on: September 21, 2009, 04:33:18 PM »

force feeding? why was stewie force fed, was your chinchilla not eating "at all" before?

It has been 1 week and 3 days since Stewie has eaten anything on his own. You can refer to my other post entitled "still not eating... any suggestions" and read all the updates on Stewie's condition if you would like.

I was feeding Nutriphase pellets and Kaytee timothy hay. These are the best products I can find at my local pet store.

Stewie has been to the vet three times in the last week and a half and he hasn't lost much weight since he hasn't been eating. He started at 1.75lbs. when he was seen for his upper respiratory and eye infection, and last Thursday he weighed 1.6lbs when I took him in for a pain injection and foce feeding instructional.

9

Q & A / Re: Diet recommendations

« on: September 21, 2009, 09:24:12 AM »

The only reason I switched from pellets to a diet with pellets and other munchies was simply because (when he was eating) he ate much more than normal. I assumed it was because he preferred it over normal pellets.

You said that your chins grind their teeth in appreciation. Stewie grinds his teeth during the force feeding. I assumed it was because he didn't like the forcefeeding. (added to the fact that he trys to wiggle away the whole time)

10

Health / Re: Chin won't eat... any suggestions?

« on: September 21, 2009, 09:19:52 AM »

Update on Stewie:
     I increased his reglan to every 4 hour doses this weekend and it hasn't seemed to help. I am still force feeding banana yogurt baby food and pedialyte apple flavor approx. 36ml daily. I know this isn't enough to sustain him, but he stresses when I force feed and I need to find a happy medium. He is still hiding in his cardboard tube at the bottom of his cage most of the day. Occasionally, I will catch him in other places in his cage, but nothing that would make me say his energy level has increased. His stools vary, but are nothing near normal. He runs from me everytime he knows I'm going to force feed. It was been a week and a half since he has eaten anything on his own.

How do I know when he is suffering? I'm sure that he is uncomfortable and he is definitely stressed from the force feeding, but it's the only thing that is keeping him alive, I'm sure. I don't think there is much else I can do for him. How long can one force feed? I'm torn between the stress of forcefeeding and the inactivity and the will to survive. Someone told me that I should just let him go and see what he does on his own, but not force feeding means dehydration... and eventually death. When is it the right time to humanely euthanize? Will I know?

11

Other Pets / Re: whats the best Kitten food

« on: September 19, 2009, 04:42:36 PM »

What foods help prevent a urinary tract infection? I'm guessing the ones that you suggests. 

Most of the commercial foods that state they help prevent urinary tract disease don't actually have enough of a particular ingredient to completely prevent anything. However, there are prescription foods such as Hills Science Diet, CD as well as Purina SO that prevent different types of crystals by increasing or decreasing urinary pH. If you are worried about urinary diseases the most appropriate thing to do for a kitten is to offer a complete and balanced diet, which you are doing by offering Hills, give canned food as a treat to increase water intake, and buy a water fountain to increase fresh, filtered, water intake. I know that some people feel that it is bad for a cat's teeth to give them canned food, but as long as you offer it as a treat it shouldn't cause more tartar build up. Plus, if you start young you can teach your kitten to comply with tooth brushing.

Most urinary infections in cats are caused by stress rather than infection. Cats are creatures of habit, so never change anything in their environment drastically... do things gradually. Offer alone time and play time to let your kitten know it is appreciated. I have 7 cats myself and rarely ever have a urinary infection issue. They are all on Purina Indoor formula dry with a once weekly treat of fancy feast and daily tartar treats.

12

Health / Re: Chin won't eat... any suggestions?

« on: September 19, 2009, 04:30:20 PM »

It sounds like you have a good exotic vet. I hope that things get better for you and Stewie real soon :-)

I have a wonderful exotic vet whom I actually work for as well. Thank you for your concern. It is much appreciated. 

13

Health / Re: Chin won't eat... any suggestions?

« on: September 19, 2009, 04:28:20 PM »

 Is he pooping at all?  If he starts pooping, that is a very good sign.  Sounds crazy, but that's the way it is with chinchillas.     If he is, is it just a few and small and dry, or (hopefully) they still have some moisture in them?
[/quote]

He has always been having bowel movements. They are smaller in size and more dry than usual. But I suppose that's what happens when you don't eat or drink for a week.

I thought I caught him sniffing his hay last night, but none if very little was eaten. He did enjoy his dust bath today. He is getting tired of the force feeding, but that is the only thing he is eating.

14

Q & A / Diet recommendations

« on: September 19, 2009, 04:23:35 PM »

  I was wondering what types of fruits or veggies you offer your chins, as well as what type of diet and hay you offer. I am using nutriphase gold pellets that contain a variety of other munchies and timothy hay. I offer grapes, dried cranberries, dried bananas, dried strawberries, yogurt drops (strawberry flavor) and dried apple. Is this okay?

15

Health / Re: Chin won't eat... any suggestions?

« on: September 18, 2009, 01:57:47 PM »

Update on Stewie:
     Today I force fed Stewie baby food (prune and apple, as well as banana yogurt) I also syringed in some apple pedialite. He is still getting reglan to hopefully help his intestines start working. I also added a small amount of strawberry/banana juice to his water bottle hoping it would intice him to drink on his own. I also offered a different type of yogurt drop, dried cranberry, dried banana, dried strawberry, and dried apple. He wouldn't touch anything.

Stewie was stressed during the force feeding. He even nibbled on my finger. I think it was a warning that he doesn't appreciate the force feeding. He isn't attempting to eat anything on his own. I did catch him on the 5th floor of his cage today inside and ontop of his wooden house. That was a first in a while.

I understand that chins can have trouble re-starting their intestines once they stop. I cannot undertand why 3 days worth of baytril could have killed all the good bacteria in his intestines though. I should have noticed earlier that he had an upper respiratory, but I'm really bad at listening to chin's lungs. I feel really bad that nothing I do seems to help him. I hope he isn't suffering. I don't know how much longer he can go without eating or drinking.