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1

Health / Re: Constipated Chin and first time sick chin mom

« on: October 23, 2011, 08:03:01 AM »

I haven't noticed him eating or drinking, but I noticed this morning there were lots of poops. Very little again or course, but still a good handful. Does that mean he's still eating and drinking? Maybe he's doing a lot while we're sleeping. I did stick a pile of pellets in his pigloo and thought maybe the pile did get a bit smaller. I tried to get him out for a run today, and he just sat in the corner for most of the time. I'm just so lost and don't know what to do. I've tried the crushed up pellets and water. I also mixed in a bit of that yogurt in it, and he wont' take that. Tried a small rasin and he wouldn't take that either. I found him on the side of the cage this morning sleeping on his side. I'm so angry at myself. All this is my fault, and I just want to do what's best and what's right. Should I take him back in? Is there more they can do for him besides these meds? Anyone that can help I could really use some thoughts here! Thank you so much!

2

Health / Re: Constipated Chin and first time sick chin mom

« on: October 22, 2011, 04:31:31 PM »

I didn't now that the pet stores don't carry it. lol!! I feel bad for cussing out the stores  I did order a bag of it, and will keep it around. Can you have it for long periods of time? Or does it go bad fast? I know most foods, and hay can be kept a long time if stored right. I really think that he's getting a bit better each day, and I think we caught it in time. It hasn't been more than 3 days since it's been going on, and I spotted it right away. I only put the vet off because my husband said he seem him eating and drinking the day i noticed it. But we've got it started, and keeping positive thoughts! I will keep posted on here though. For anyone that is interested on how he's doing  

3

Health / Re: Constipated Chin and first time sick chin mom

« on: October 22, 2011, 04:08:18 PM »

He's been moving around a bit in the cage. Back and forth he will sleep in the pigloo, and then sit on his wheel lol. He will take pellets from my hand. Not more than one or two usually, and some times hay. He's eating and drinking, but very little. Our nearest vet is a hour away. Do they sell the probiotic yogurt in the grocery store? If so I will grab some from there asap. I've been reading a bit now, and I do think the stress was from the other guy. I'm going to just keep them in different cages for now I think. With the issues going on now I don't want to do that again. I don't mind having them like that. I can still love them both Main thing is to get Elvis back to good health. I'm so mad that the pet stores don't carry that Oxbow critical care. They didn't even have it at the vet. She said they don't sell it often enough. It's been a long day and I'm just thankful that there was a vet open today. Thank you so much for your response!

4

Health / Constipated Chin and first time sick chin mom

« on: October 22, 2011, 03:07:17 PM »

I noticed that Elvis's poop was very very small, and very hard so I took him into the vet today. I thought the change in his habits were due to an added cage mate, but after watching it a bit more, and the poop I had to take him in. The vet thought maybe it might just be constipation. She suggested some Oxbow critical care. Of course none of the pet stores had it, so i ordered it online. Should be here in a couple days. She also said to put some apple cider vinegar in his water. I was given Cisapride Liver 5mg/ml to give him every 8 hours, and metacam oral .5mg/ml for the pain. He's been sleeping a lot today. I encouraged him to run a bit today in my bedroom. He did a little bit, but not like he used to. I've noticed that he ate a small bit of hay,some water, and a couple pellets. But seems to still be under the weather. I'd say that this started about 2 days ago, but wasn't this bad until today. Did I make it in a enough time? I will see how these antibiotics do, and need to call back on Tues to see if we need more, or different ones, or just what is going on with Elvis. Can anyone tell me if they've been down this road before, and what to expect, or watch for? Maybe how long it takes for the antibiotics to start helping? I haven't noticed any poops today. I've been watching them. This is my first sick chinchilla and I'm pretty freaked. So worried about him, and really hope these antibiotics help him get back to my normal energetic chinchilla. Thank you kindly for your time!

5

General Chat / Re: Added new chin, now old chin is acting a bit strange?

« on: October 21, 2011, 03:12:42 PM »

Thank you! I actually did put Cash ( new guy ) in my other cage. I cleaned out Elvis's cage, and let him know that cash was in his own house, and he had the whole cage to himself. For the most part I've noticed a bit of change in his behavior, and attitude. A good change. He seems to be doing better, and he's slept in his pigloo almost all day now. I'll just keep them side by side for longer. Could there be an issue with the age difference? Does it cause for a lot of trouble with bonding? I don't mind keeping them in different cages for good, i just wonder if Elvis will be like this with all chins? Just as long as their happy, I'll be happy with whatever, too! Thanks again for the reply. I figured he was acting like this due to having cash in with him.

6

General Chat / Added new chin, now old chin is acting a bit strange?

« on: October 21, 2011, 08:03:09 AM »

Good morning! I'm a newbie here with a question. I'm not new to chinchilla's, but I'm new to having more than one chinchilla. I've had my guy, Elvis, for about 3 months, and recently came across free baby chins. I've got two cages, so I put the new guy in my old cage, and sat it next to Elvis for about a week. I introduced them for the first time, and it didn't go so well. So we waited a bit, and did another one. Both were done in my bathroom. Second one went decent, and there wasn't any noise making, or nipping. So I put our new guy in with Elvis. First couple days seemed to go well.(Also something that might be of information is that our new little guy is a baby. I'm guessing him to be around 4 or 5 months old. Elvis, i think is about a year.) Now I've noticed some weird behavior from Elvis. He has always from day one slept in his pigloo. Not outside it, or on top, or anywhere but his pigloo. He's been sleeping now outside of it, on top of it, and beside the wall of the cage. He won't take his cherios, and did eat a small grape last night. My husband said he did see him eating and drinking, but just seems to be maybe upset that the little guy has taken his space. They don't fight, but sometimes the little guy will nip at Elvis, and I just don't know what to do. Do I keep them in different cages? Does it sound like Elvis is upset that his space is being taken by another chin? I Thought maybe a vet visit was needed, but he's still eating and drinking. Had them out this morning for a run, and he didn't do much, but wasn't just laying around either. I'm just so confused, and want to do what's best for them. When I got him he wasn't with any cage mate so I'm sure having this little guy around is something new to him. Any suggestions? Needing some advice here! Also, I did notice that he's been kind of on edge and maybe not sleeping a whole lot. He's been watching the new guy and trying to keep him off his stuff lol. Thank you kindly for reading, and hope to figure something out! It's making me sad for my little guys. I really just want them to be happy!