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[billiegail]

My chinchilla has been eating all of her food and drinks a lot of water, but has been slowly losing weight over the past couple of months. She is now dangerously skinny. She got to be real moody/pissy over the past couple of months as well, but I figured it was because I was taking her to some of the local schools for show and tell.

Today, when I went to get her she was unable to walk in a straight line and was falling to the left over and over. She has a place on her nose where it looks like a blood blister that popped. Her lip was stuck to her teeth because of the blood, but I was able to unstick them and clean it without any further damage. She did not have that yesterday and her cage is safe and I can't find any place that she may have injured herself at. She is weak and her hair is falling out worse than it ever has been. She is still eating and drinking everything.

I called my vet and he said that I knew more than he did about chinchillas and that I'd probably have better luck with asking you guys here on this site. He did say that he was willing to prescribe anything that you guys recommend.

I have looked and looked for answers on line and have yet to figure out what could be wrong. She does not have any broken bones and her eyes look healthy. I did give her some watermelon juice and that helped her A LOT.


I know that I am not supposed to give out my number on line, but I really need some advice. You can call me if you wish. I would appreciate any help you can give me. If I am not at home, please leave a message. 903-478-3093

God bless
BillieGail

[Jo Ann]

 

My chinchilla has been eating all of her food and drinks a lot of water, but has been slowly losing weight over the past couple of months. She is now dangerously skinny. She got to be real moody/pissy over the past couple of months as well, but I figured it was because I was taking her to some of the local schools for show and tell. 

Chinchillas are nocturnal, do not like change (such as taking them from place to place), they do not like loud noises, or allot of movement around them, and are susceptible to many viruses and germs that people walk around with on a daily basis.  Good chance your chin caught something from one of the people or the environment you were taking it into and/or you have stressed it out and it has become ill from being stressed. 

Today, when I went to get her she was unable to walk in a straight line and was falling to the left over and over. She has a place on her nose where it looks like a blood blister that popped. Her lip was stuck to her teeth because of the blood, but I was able to unstick them and clean it without any further damage. She did not have that yesterday and her cage is safe and I can't find any place that she may have injured herself at. She is weak and her hair is falling out worse than it ever has been. She is still eating and drinking everything.

Is is the shape of it's spine showing?   If so, it is probably dehydrated, among other things.  Dehydration needs fluid injections.

Your chin is in desperate need of a qualified exotic pet vet that knows something about chinchillas, or will take the time to learn.  There are forums on-line especially for veterinarians to exchange medical information. 

We're not vets here, only breeders and owners of chinchillas ... many of us with long years of experience ... but that does not mean we can tell you what is wrong with your chin, only what could possibly be wrong, with the limited information being received and not being able to see or touch your chin we are only able to give you our thoughts on the subject.

Can you post some pictures of your chinchilla for us?  One when she was healthy and one recent one.

What brand chinchilla food are you giving her?

Do you have any other chins?

If you have other chins, are they in the same cage or room with this one?

   Jo Ann

[billiegail]

My chinchilla passed away. I took her to a vet that dealt with exotic animals and she thinks the chin fell from her top floor of her house and injured her back. All test came back okay. I, fortunately, will be getting a male chinchilla tomorrow. I was getting him to pair with my female that passed on, but looks like I'll be looking for another female now.

[cadillactaste]

I am sorry to hear you lost your female chinchilla...How sad...to watch it deteriate like that. I would highly suggest that you refrain from taking your male to schools. Stress...can really do a number on a chinchilla...schools are no place for them...pictures of them if you wish to do an educational thing...is better suited.

[ABC Chinchillas]

If he is lonely why not just get a 2nd male to keep him company. A lot can go wrong with Breeding chinchillas

[Jo Ann]

   I hate to hear that the little female passed away.  That is so sad.   

For the safety of this new chinchilla:  Please sterilize the cage and everything in it before putting your new chin in the cage.   Please remove all porous (wood, cloth, plastic) items and dispose of them.   If the cloth/rope can be washed in the washing machine with bleach, you could do that, but I would replace all wood and plastic.  I would also dispose of, and replace all food (pellets, hay and treats) that belonged to the female before bringing the new male chinchilla home. 

   You might want to consider a second male instead of a breeding female.  It takes time to learn all you need to learn before you start breeding chinchillas.

   Please, do not take the new one/ones to school or any place other than home. 

   Jo Ann

[Debbie.nl.ca]

Awww I'm so sorry to hear of your loss.