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1

Health / Re: Chronically small , dry droppings ?

« on: February 05, 2015, 07:48:05 AM »

That is very mysterious. Sounds like you might have a freak of nature there. Maybe you should do a CT or high resolution radiograph and check for partial obstructions or constrictions in the bowels but that's a wild guess. I don't know. I've never heard of such a thing.

Thank you very much for replying.

  I have been thinking of having the vet do scans or xrays to see if this is some kind of obstruction or birth defect.  Either that or intestinal strictures.  It's very puzzling and disturbing. 

There were a few times when his droppings seemed fairly normal,  but these were rare exceptions,  and never the norm by any means.

I wonder if some allergy might be causing something like IBD also?  Thanks once more.

2

Health / Chronically small , dry droppings ?

« on: February 04, 2015, 07:18:40 PM »

I have had my male chinchilla for almost 2 years now.

He eats Oxbow hays and pellets and drinks purified water.
I give him bits of dried papaya and pineapple,  but have cut back on these.
He eats, drinks, pees and poops, and runs on his wheel,
and all his vet visits have found him normal.

He has wood to chew on,  and gets a regular dustbath.

My problem is:  He has always, always had small, dry fecal droppings.

I've had 2 other Chins,  and their droppings were large, firm, and moist (unless they were constipated).

His are very small,  like mouse droppings.  ALL the time,  no matter how much hay, water, fruit he gets.

This has been for the 2 years I have had him.

I have given him critical care with a syringe,  extra water in syringe,  organic pineapple juice,  pure pumpkin-  to no avail.

What could be the cause of this in an otherwise healthy Chinchilla?

Thanks for any input. 

3

Health / Re: Chincilla has been hospitalized twice in one week and no improvement

« on: September 21, 2013, 09:23:24 AM »

Thank you both for all this information.

I use bottled water.
The reason I had added a crock along with the bottle,  is that I had read that their water intake is better when drunk from a bowl,  as opposed to using a water bottle.

With my other 2 Chinchillas,  I believe I was too liberal with certain treats (back then,  almonds and raisins).
I had also been told to give kale and parsley and carrots by my exotic vet (I no longer do any of this).

He seems better today,  and as he was already hospitalized twice,  and had blood work and dental exam,  and was put on a total of 4 meds,  I would like to just allow him to have hay and water,  and some Critical Care,  and see if he improves.  I have had bad experiences with the vet prescribing all kinds of meds which kill the appetite and the animal seems to go downhill from there, 

Thank you so much for all of this information,  which I have taken well under advisement.

4

Health / Re: Chincilla has been hospitalized twice in one week and no improvement

« on: September 20, 2013, 07:33:49 PM »

Thank you for this input. 

 I am very worried. I can get all new pellets and hay,  but I wonder if I can bring about the natural balance again?  I am so upset.  I had 2 Chinchillas die suddenly in the past (both had been robust and healthy for months or years, and then suddenly,  GI problems and all went downhill rapidly).  I may try and research some natural cures such as apple cider vinegar , etc.  I am very mistrustful of the side effects of all these medications the vet prescribes.  I know he means well,  but I don't trust it.

I have been told his teeth and bite are excellent.

If there was mold or something,  it was not in the way I stored the items.

5

Health / Re: Chincilla has been hospitalized twice in one week and no improvement

« on: September 20, 2013, 05:49:45 PM »

That's fine.  I am going to see the vet tomorrow;  just wondering if you had any experience with this:  Happily, my Chin has now begun pooping more.  The only thing is,  it is coming out in clusters,  rather sticky.  Any idea of what this might mean?  I will have the vet do a fecal test tomorrow,  but am wondering if you or others have ever experienced anything like this?

6

Health / Re: Chincilla has been hospitalized twice in one week and no improvement

« on: September 20, 2013, 01:20:11 PM »

I appreciate  that -  do you think acidophilius drops would help as well?

7

Health / Re: Chincilla has been hospitalized twice in one week and no improvement

« on: September 20, 2013, 10:30:30 AM »

ADDENDUM: Looking back,  it does seem that I made the mistake of suddenly switching from Kaytee hi-fiber Timothy pellets,  to Oxbow alfalfa-based Deluxe chinchilla feed.  I was so pleased that he dove right in and ate all the new Oxbow feed,  but now I see that this was the day that the constipation and lethargy began.  I just wish it would work through his system with the Critical Care I am giving.  I hate taking him back to stay in the clinic (not just the cost,  but the stress to the poor Chin)  and I hate giving Reglan (have read bad things about it for humans).   

8

Health / Re: Chincilla has been hospitalized twice in one week and no improvement

« on: September 20, 2013, 06:15:33 AM »

Thank you for all.  Unfortunately,  my vet group is one of the only ones around who do say they specialize in Exotics (I have used them for my Virginia Opossum and my ferrets as well) and I have had a difficult time finding anyone who will treat Chinchillas when I have had emergencies when my vet was closed.

I will relay all of this to him and see if he can find anything with the teeth.
Thank you again.

9

Health / Re: Chincilla has been hospitalized twice in one week and no improvement

« on: September 19, 2013, 04:52:16 PM »

Thank you for your response.

 I did in fact change his pellets recently from Kaytee Timothy pellets to Oxbow Alfalfa-based Deluxe Chinchilla feed.  I give alfalfa hay and timothy hay with herbs,  as well as some fresh Meadow grass (all Oxbow).  I was giving him wheat germ mixed with raw oatmeal (tiny bowl, just a pinch 3 x p week) and some papaya and pineapple (dried bits without sulfite).  I will have to cut down to simply the pellets and the hay.

 I just hope he can come out of his current state.  I cannot keep going back and forth to the vet,  and leaving him overnight,  only to be told he is basically fine  -  but the continued noneating and tiny, hard droppings. 

I intend to take him back to the vet and ask for the intestinal parasite check,  and perhaps an Xray and I cannot think what else.

 He has only wooden chews and a wooden hut and a lava ledge -  there is no cloth and no plastic that he has access to.  He also has a very large wheel to exercise on and a crock full of fresh water plus a water bottle and all is kept clean and fresh.

10

Health / Chincilla has been hospitalized twice in one week and no improvement

« on: September 19, 2013, 03:12:40 PM »

Getting desperate here:  My 2 year old male Chin got constipated about 10 days ago (his droppings were becoming very small,  dry,  and hard;  he also stopped eating and drinking).

My exotic vet kept him overnight in the hospital:  Did blood work,  checked his teeth,  administered IV fluids,  gave Critical Care with a syringe,  and then sent me home with Cisapride and some Milk Thistle Lactoluse ,  which I gave as directed.  He said all checked out fine,  except for a very slight elevation of liver enzymes (hence, the milk thistle).

  No improvement,  so 3 days later, he was kept overnight at the clinic again.  Same routine,  this time given some Metoclopramide along with the Cisapride.  Still tiny , hard droppings,  still barely eating or drinking.  It is going on 10 days now.

I even added a spoonful of pure, canned pumpkin to some Critical Care and water,  and fed him by syringe.  Still no improvement.

 Does he need to be xrayed to see if there is a furball instruction?  Or checked for intestinal parasites?  My vet seems clueless.

11

Health / Re: Rescue Chin will not eat or drink

« on: April 06, 2011, 03:19:00 PM »

Aww,  Mae sounds like a real survivor,  what a doll.  I am sure the situation will even out and will be good for all parties!!!

12

Health / Re: Rescue Chin will not eat or drink

« on: April 06, 2011, 02:23:03 PM »

Oh, that is fantastic!

13

Health / Re: Rescue Chin will not eat or drink

« on: April 02, 2011, 05:01:07 PM »

Oh, thanks so much ----will do!
who is Spock?   

14

Health / Re: Rescue Chin will not eat or drink

« on: April 02, 2011, 04:00:16 PM »

OMG, thanks SOOOOO much,  Dianah, I am going to phone the clinic tomorrow and ask for it.  What a life saver, THANK YOU!!! ps Hope Mae and you and yours are all very well!!!

15

Health / Re: Rescue Chin will not eat or drink

« on: April 02, 2011, 02:26:28 PM »

Update on Rodney:  He is doing well,  and I love the little guy, BUT. . .    I must say, after weeks and weeks,  I am STILL having to syringe feed him.  He picks a little at hay or pellets,  but each time I tried to stop the syringes,  the droppings would become tiny, dry,  and hard again,  and I simply can NOT risk stasis and more hospital and med bills.  Because I had a sick cat who got major surgery, a dog who needed care,   plus a sick Opossum,  plus Rodney,  my vet bills have been near 20K,  not to mention other expenditures such as new AC unit and new furnace....I am MAXED out....do not know what i can do,  went thru 3 bags of Critical care and am now using ground pellets