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[Snickerdoodlesmom]

Snickerdoodle is terribly smelly. Well, actually, it's his cage. It smells a little like vomit. His poop doesn't smell, and I sniffed him, he smells fine. It's most likely his urine, but what could cause this? No dietary changes, he's not stressed AT ALL ( he is happier than ever!!!) but his cage stinks!!!! I know what you're all going to say, it's the food or he's stressed, but that is not it. The bedding was changed three days ago. Is he sick???

[chinclub]

Does he have a wire cage with wire shelves?

[Snickerdoodlesmom]

No

[chinclub]

Usually when a cage starts to stick it is because urine has build up along the wires or on the bottom of the pan.  Taking it outside for a good cleaning should fix the problem.

[jmdebb]

i never heard of that before.. good luck with the cleaning..

[ohio chinny]

what are you using for bedding?

[Snickerdoodlesmom]

It's not the bedding, it's not the food or the dust. I believe its his urine. It has taken on a vomit- like scent. And he just snapped viciously at my dad, something he NEVER does to anyone, especially not my dad. Can this be something hormonal?

[Snickerdoodlesmom]

Never mind. When I opened the bag of carefresh, a horrible odor emerged. I think we got a bad batch

[GrayRodent]

As far as the bedding goes it sounds like maybe it got and molded. You seem to have said you don't have a wire cage. What kind of cage is it? It will need to be cleaned.

As far as the strange behavior is concerned this is not unheard of. I don't know what causes it though, maybe one of a number of things.

[Snickerdoodlesmom]

Molded? I have no other bedding I was forced to use this one in the interrum. How dangerous is that? Now I'm very scared.

[GrayRodent]

Mycotoxicosis is always a threat with mold. You can use shredded paper if there is nothing else. Usually pet stores carry kiln dried pine chips that are generally considered safe bedding.

[Snickerdoodlesmom]

Mycotoxicosis is always a threat with mold. You can use shredded paper if there is nothing else. Usually pet stores carry kiln dried pine chips that are generally considered safe bedding.

What signs are consistent with mycotoxicosis?  Because that bedding has been used for already a week, so I don't think it's moldy, I think it's just bad.

[GrayRodent]

I'm pretty sure your chin doesn't have it. He's too playful. However because you don't know what kind of mold it is you don't want to risk it from further exposure. Not all mold is poisonous but how would you know what kind of mold you have? You say the bedding is just "bad" but what you are describing to me sounds like its bad because it's molded. Whatever it is your bedding is contaminated with something and because you don't know what it is you should treat it as being potentially hazardous.

Mycotoxicosis can have many symptoms usually lethargy and digestive problems like drooling constipation or diarrhea from ingesting poisons generated by the mold affecting the liver, kidneys and intestines and causes irreversible damage. This kind of problem usually comes from eating food that has molded but I know some chins eat small amounts of bedding.

Mold spores are carried through the air and can lead to a respiratory infection with symptoms like cough, runny eyes and nose, lethargy, death from pneumonia, that kind of thing. This is true for animals large and small and even people.

[Snickerdoodlesmom]

Are you sure it's molded? It's a brand new bag. Is there any other possibility?

[GrayRodent]

IMHO if it is so bad it stinks up the room something is way wrong. I recommend you take it back to the store and let them smell it. I imagine they'll replace it.