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1

Health / Re: Possible malocclusion?

« on: January 20, 2010, 05:47:52 PM »

Well, I took him today, and everything went very well. He was much more cooperative than I thought he would be. He even sat still and allowed us to weigh him. He had issues with several different teeth. One was actually growing directly into his cheek. But she put him out and took care of them all. Hopefully they don't just grow right back to the way they were. I have to bring him back in a month, and then three months after that.

Force feeding...Not so much fun. At the vet, he sat like a champ and swallowed it right down. Actually appeared to enjoy it. Home 4 hours later, not so much. As soon as I put him down he made a beeline for his cage. He probably hates me now, and he's gonna hate me a lot more over the next week. 

2

Health / Possible malocclusion?

« on: January 19, 2010, 07:17:31 AM »

Hello everyone.
I posted here a few months ago due to some concerns I had with my chinchilla Peewee. Well, he got totally better and showed no signs of illness for a while, but now he's having problems again. From what I can gather, it appears that it is probably a malocclusion. He has lost a lot of weight, pushes his food out of his bowl, has a little bit of drooling and watery eyes. His behavior and demeanor is still pretty normal, but he is obviously not well. I have no money whatsoever due to the fact that I have been unemployed for a few years because of health issues, so I have resorted to selling material possessions in order to take him to a vet. I am taking him tomorrow, but I'm wondering if I can get some insight here first. My first question is, is there a possibility that it's not actually a malocclusion, and something less serious? Also, what kind of bill am I looking at if 1) I have to put him down, and 2) If it is indeed treatable? I know no one can know precisely, but some sort of guess perhaps, based on his symptoms? If it is a malocclusion, am I most likely going to have to put him down?

I have read that this is primarily hereditary, which makes sense. I have taken the absolute best care of him for the 6 1/2 years I've had him, and he is a pet store chin.

Also, is there anything I can do for him to make the trip a little easier? He's never been to a vet, and he already doesn't enjoy people other than myself.

This makes me so sad, and any help or insight I can get would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

3

Health / Re: A few concerns...

« on: November 05, 2009, 01:36:29 PM »

Thank you so much. Yea, his behavior and overall health are fine. And he actually never showed any interest in the pumice, from the time he was just a little guy. It's not like that was a sudden change. Also, we actually give him those Mrs Pastures cookies for horses (We actually buy them from Chinworld I think) as well, and the last time I gave him one, which was about a month or so ago, he didn't want it. However, I gave him one yesterday, and he once again went to town chewing on it. So with the drooling not happening, and him taking to the cookie again, it seems like a good sign I suppose. The eye crustiness is simply dried moisture underneath the one eye. It's not ON his eye, or discolored, or anything like that.

I don't think he would allow me to hold anything on his eye for any amount of time, but I will definitely get him in for a checkup as soon as I'm able to do so.

4

Health / A few concerns...

« on: November 04, 2009, 11:04:58 AM »

Hi everyone. I posted this on another forum and got no replies whatsoever, so I'll try here as well...
I have a 6 1/2 year old male (Peewee) and I have some concerns about him right now. He seems to have a little bit of crustiness under his one eye. Nothing severe, but noticeable nonetheless. Two other things...Not now, but I noticed a few months back that he was drooling a little bit. I've read that this could be because his teeth are too long? I give him so many toys and all that, and he is so picky. He would never touch the pumice blocks or whatever they are, and I'm sure that's what he could use right now. However, I haven't noticed the drooling in a while, and it was pretty brief. The last concern I have is he is shedding far more than normal. No bald spots or anything like that, just an unusual amount of fur being left everywhere. I wasn't too worried about this because he went through a period of a few months 2 or 3 years ago where the same thing happened, and then it stopped.

He acts totally normal. He is energetic (Not like he was when he was very young, but certainly active enough), eats and drinks normally, normal poop and pee, everything. I have ALWAYS taken care of him just how he should be taken care of. I don't overdue the treats. In fact, I really only give him plain oats and Tasty Twigs. Nothing sugary. I give him purified water, fresh food and hay regularly, and I pretty much coddle him by talking to him constantly and so on. I love him to death.

Do you think there is something going on I need to worry about? The problem is right now, I just finished a pretty lengthy health treatment that has kept me out of work, and I don't have the money to spend on vet bills. Not to mention, the closest vet that treats chinchillas is about an hour and a half away. Like I said, his behavior and overall health are good, I'm just a little worried about the crustiness. And if he wont touch the pumice, what do you recommend I give him to file his teeth efficiently?

Thanks in advance.
-Graham