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1

General Chat / Re: Chinchilla research

« on: July 04, 2011, 12:27:03 PM »

Lovely and well written/thought out questions! Took the survey and wish you all the luck. Please come back and share your final conclusions and numbers.

The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know.

2

Health / Re: Our turn to be concerned

« on: April 12, 2011, 08:44:52 PM »

Well, we got the 1st aid kit together, and all seems to be well, for now anyways. The toe that had the spot of blood actually is gone, but the stump healed nicely. Still don't know what happened, but he is not chewing, or swollen, or discolored on it or around it, so I guess we are ok.  It looks like it is completely healed. He gets around just fine, doesn't favor it, or move any differently from the loss. Guess we will never know what happened to Little Sir's toe.
Thanks again to all of you. I am trying to be calmer about all of this. Yet it really feels like having a new babe in the house. All grins and tears!


The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know.

3

Health / Re: Our turn to be concerned

« on: March 22, 2011, 01:46:33 PM »

Bless all of you for being so helpful. I have everyone in our family chasing down something from this list  We should have a complete medic bag by the weekend.  It had never occurred to me that I could assemble such a thing for our Chinnys.
Thanks again


The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know.

4

Health / Re: Our turn to be concerned

« on: March 21, 2011, 02:42:23 PM »

Thanks Kneesa. We got back from our expedition to find Blu-Kote (difficult in the city,lol) and were very glad I had written where the injury was. It seems to have completely disappeared, no sign whatsoever!  I am beginning to wonder if a stick from his chewing basket poked him, or something. We have kept willow baskets (and sticks) for chewing in both of their hutches, for their teeth.
Little Sir seems just fine, no signs of chewing his foot, or swelling, or discoloration. I am not sure what else to watch for.
Thanks again to everyone helping me cope with this. Isn't it ironic? After years and years if being an OR nurse, a tiny scratch on our Baby Chinny scares me to pieces 
Guess we all have to go through it for ourselves....

The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know

5

Health / Re: Our turn to be concerned

« on: March 21, 2011, 10:41:17 AM »

do you have an emgency kit?  i would suggest, to everyone, if you don't to start on up.  one item that you should have in it is Blu-Kote.  get the liquid, not the spray.. its made i think for horsed but totally safe for chins.  its good to use so infections dont' start in.  [short version].  for little wounds like that, thats what i do, if its ever a big wound, vet visit.  its purple and it stains, so do not have good clothing on when you use it, the coloring will eventually ware off the chin [mosaics are pretty when they have purple on them..lol]

anyways, he could of just scatched it on something..  i found a tiny spec of blood on noels foot once before when she was out for playtime, and i got nervous, and checked her foot out, but also couldnt see where it was coming from.. so i just think she scratched it on something. even thoo i couldn't find where it was coming from, i put some blu-kote on to be safe, and no problems.  i'm not saying it will always prevent, you never know what can happen, and that goes with anything, i'm just saying its a great product to use for tiny cuts..

Am going out to look for Blu-Kote today. Please clue me in on what else to have in an emergency kit? Thank you so much!

The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know

6

Health / Re: Our turn to be concerned

« on: March 21, 2011, 09:26:39 AM »

Little Sir seems fine this morning. The red is mostly gone, and he is his loving, sweet self - begging for skritches and to be held.  We are still going to watch this area very closely, for chewing or swelling. Anything else I can/should do?


The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know

7

Health / OK HELP!?!?!?

« on: March 20, 2011, 09:16:50 PM »

I already posted this under another, calmer heading. But I am really worried about Cerberus! Little Sir is now about 9 months old, and very fat and sassy. He is sweet and hand tame, loving and healthy. We were very happy when we found a 2' x 3' x 4' cage for him today (brand new, still in the box). We assembled it, installed safe wood shelves, baskets for chewing - etc, and thought we were fine.
 Tonight, at play time, I saw a spot of blood on his right hind foot. Not dripping, no obvious wound. Just a bright red spot, between his center toe and farther right toe, towards the top of his foot. I looked very carefully, saw no wound, just this red. He doesn't favor it at all, leaps and climbs and plays just fine.
He was in his dust bath about three rolls when I saw the red, and took him out.
Any advice? He isn't chewing it, he seems oblivious to it completely. He is asleep now, on his ledge. I am afraid by not doing anything, I am screwing up somehow. Should I have washed his wound? Will the dust cause an infection? What should I do? This is our first chinny injury, and we are very very worried (read freaking out). Please share any advice, we could use it! 

8

Health / Our turn to be concerned

« on: March 20, 2011, 08:27:11 PM »

Little Sir is now about 9 months old, and very fat and sassy. He is sweet and hand tame, loving and healthy. We were very happy when we found a 2' x 3' x 4' cage for him today (brand new, still in the box). We assembled it, installed safe wood shelves, baskets for chewing - etc, and thought we were fine. Tonight, at play time, I saw a spot of blood on his right hind foot. Not dripping, no obvious wound. Just a bright red spot, between his center toe and farther right toe, towards the top of his foot. I looked very carefully, saw no wound, just this red. He doesn't favor it at all, leaps and climbs and plays just fine.
He was in his dust bath about three rolls when I saw the red, and took him out.
Any advice? He isn't chewing it, he seems oblivious to it completely. This is our first chinny injury, and we are very very worried (read freaking out). Please share any advice, we could use it! 

9

Chit Chat / Re: How you know you met your sole mate?

« on: January 19, 2011, 08:44:28 PM »

OK, Sweetness....if you want to hurt yourself, stalk your ex. If he is the past, let him go! Sorry but it had to be said. 
That being said, and my foot being firmly in my mouth, let me give you one more bit of unasked for advice.  No intimacy before monogamy.  and if you aren't comfortable discussing monogamy with a guy, why in the world would you let him inside of you? Sex is now a health risk. Not just a pregnancy risk or a social risk, but a health risk. Take your time, hold hands, make him wait. He seems to be wanting a lot, going out of town is a big thing.
And another old expression, don't sh** where you eat. In other words, don't date at work. The age difference doesn't bother me, people mature at different rates. Just make sure he isn't looking for 'fun', at your expense. You will have to go to work and look at him everyday, whether this works or not.
Slow down, take your time, make sure it's right. If at anytime you feel pressured, you ARE. If at anytime it doesn't feel quite right, it ISN'T! Remember, hold out for the breath taking, mind blowing relationship.
You will be glad you did. Trust me on this.


It's Cerberus and Persephone's GrandChin.

10

Health / Re: Just an update and a question

« on: January 19, 2011, 08:34:30 PM »

Congratulations!    On the new babes, and the successful finding of a good forever home for the 'extras'.
 To answer some questions...
1. Cuttle bone is an excellent source of calcium (they need calcium, so this is good).
2. If you tie that cuttle bone up, it will stay cleaner,and be less likely to get lost in the 'stuff' in the bottom of their hutch. 
3. The grinding noise might be your little one clicking her teeth at you. My experience has been this can signal anger, nerves, fear, or a general unhappiness with something happening to or around them. Some do it more, some less, but they all pretty much do it. Don't take it too personally, but you might want to watch what triggers it and move a little more slowly. You didn't mention the lava stone chewing 'ledges' or 'triangles' so I will suggest them. It helps grind their teeth down, and might give you baby needed objects to work out on.   
4. Apple juice might be a better choice than cranberry Only add a tiny tiny bit to scent it, if you must add juice to their water (not necessary). Usually apple juice is added to water for a new Mother, to help her milk come in well. Remember, sugar is not your baby's friend, also adding anything other than water-soluble chinchilla vitamins can cause their water to become cloudy faster, and make it more difficult to keep their water bottles clean.
5. IMHO Mazuri pellets are the best, and alternating timothy hay and alfalfa hay is a great idea.
6. Talking snacks can bring a firestorm of dissent anywhere ChinMoms gather. That being said, most seem to agree that PLAIN bite size shredded wheat, plain cheerios, yoghurt covered alfalfa treats, and Rice Pops are an acceptable list of treats. Dried kiwi, strawberries, and apricots, and raisins won't kill them, in very small amounts - but you seem to be aware of this. 
I'd say you have a very good idea of what you are doing. But I couldn't resist chiming in anyway. 

It's just me, Cerberus and Persephone's GrandChin


The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know

11

General Chat / Re: Life stages

« on: January 14, 2011, 09:57:14 AM »

1st, don't worry, we won't be breeding either of them. We have adopted (and adored) too many rescue pets to bring more chinnys than we can reasonably care for into this world!

2nd, For the record, our Littel Mother never sprayed anyone here, surprisingly enough. She has always just reached out with her little hands and moved us out of her way. Granted, I have always been attentive to her responses when handling her, or her hutch, but I am a very touchy-feely, huggy person, normally. I guess I have a VERY patient Chinny! Even now, when I insist on carrying her to and from the playroom, she is very sweet about the whole thing. Never bites or sprays. I know she doesn't like it, because she tries really hard, to move my hands, and puts her teeth around my fingers, as if to bite (but she never does).

Lastly, just so you know, Persephone (the littel Mother) and Cerberus (littel Sir) ARE perfect in every way.  Just in case you haven't figured that last bit out yet.

Thanks for all the info. You are great Jo Ann!

The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know

12

General Chat / Re: Life stages

« on: January 10, 2011, 05:13:56 PM »

You state:

our Mommy chin was a surprise acquisition, not really planned. She arrived with absolutely no background information. We have been wondering if there is any way to decipher her age. Other than delivering a healthy son since she moved in with us (so we know she is an adult) I have no clues.

Haven't been on for a while so, I don't know the background ... how was she a "surprise acquisition"?  
Where did you get her?  A friend? Add in the paper? Pet store?  
How long did you have her before she gave birth to her son?
Well, my daughter had been doing research (and ritual begging) for months when on of her friends bought a 'mated,bonded pair' from a pet shop. The shop gave him zero information on them. (We've been back to the shop, and gotten none also). Within a week they had urinated at the parents to such an extent, that the poor kid had to find his chinnys a new home. That is where we came in. My daughter met them on a playdate, and the rest, as they say, is history. She gave birth to her son within a week.
Actually giving birth to a kit does not mean she is an adult.   "Adult chinchilla" usually means 1 year or older. Female chinchillas have the ability to get pregnant at 3 1/2 months of age (not a safe or smart thing to do, but possible).  About 110 days to develop the kit/kits + 3 1/2 to 4 months of age = 7 to 8 months of age for the mother ... IF she got pregnant as soon as it is possible for one to do so.
Oh gosh, I hope she was old enough! 

Warning! Male chinchillas, at the tender age of 10 weeks, have the ability to impregnate a female.  So, her son should be caged separately by the time he is 9 weeks old.  Chinchillas do not make a difference as to who they mate with ... even if it is another family member.  Mating within the family is/can be double trouble for the kits.

We took Little Sir out at 8 weeks. He was born June 4th. His Dad passed away the day after he was born, so we only have Little Sir, and Little Mother now. 

Weight and size of a chinchilla will not give you it's age ... that, unfortunately , is impossible to know without getting the information from the Breeder.  Most adult chinchillas loose that "baby look", but, as is the same with humans, some adults retain that 'baby look'.  {In most chinchilla shows, chins are shown when they are considered in their prime - between 9 months and 2 years old. I attended one show, being judged by a seasoned judge that almost chose a chin to be #1 in it's class, but this chin was over 5 years old - some chins can fool the even the best! }  Wish I could help your more there, but without the original information, it's impossible.

That's a shame, I wish we could figure out how old she is.  

Most chinchillas need the same things ... good quality food, plenty of hay, fresh water daily, clean cages, a routine and lots of love ... the last listed is almost as important as the first.    

We have the hay, food, water, pine shavings, treats, etc worked out. After 7 months we had better,lol . And as for love, well, I can't imagine our family without those two!

  She is so very sweet, and getting sweeter every day.   Someone must have loved her a great deal. I still wonder what could have happened to cause a loving chinMom or chinDad to give up such a beautiful baby   .

Maybe someone handled it to roughly and it bit them in self-defence.  If the one bitten was a child ... maybe the adult didn't know it was the child's fault and they got rid of the chin thinking it was dangerous.  Maybe the owner passed away.  Maybe the owner just didn't have enough time to give the chin proper time and love and gave it up for that reason.   You never know.

Your right, I just can't imagine ever leaving this little armload of Sweetness behind. 

Keep us posted!

Thanks, I will. I am mostly done running around with my hair on fire. But I still come back every now and then with a moronic question or two 

   NewChinMom (actually GrandChin)

The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know! 

13

General Chat / Re: Life stages

« on: January 08, 2011, 12:52:38 PM »

I see. Thanks Starleomach! I wish I knew more about our little Mother's history, even her age would be good to know!  She is so very sweet, and getting sweeter every day.  Someone must have loved her a great deal. I still wonder what could have happened to cause a loving chinMom or chinDad to give up such a beautiful baby  .
Guess I will never know.

The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know 

14

General Chat / Re: Life stages

« on: January 07, 2011, 02:33:52 PM »

Next baby I have I will take a weekly photo and label it

That would be great!  Maybe monthly after the first year?  Thanks!

The more I learn, the more i realize how little i know

15

General Chat / Re: Life stages

« on: January 05, 2011, 01:13:14 PM »

I would love some example too. As everyone is sick of hearing, our Mommy chin was a surprise acquisition, not really planned. She arrived with absolutely no background information. We have been wondering if there is any way to decipher her age. Other than delivering a healthy son since she moved in with us (so we know she is an adult) I have no clues.
Is there anyway to tell how old our ChinMom is?

The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know