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« on: August 14, 2014, 08:49:19 AM »
I have two chins. I'm concerned about one, though. He's a black velvet that is 11 years old. I noticed over the last few weeks he's started to develop a lump over his left arm/jaw. It's soft and saggy and it didn't appear to be bothering him whatsoever and I figured it was due to old age. Here's the problem and a little back ground: I moved from Cali just recently to Phoenix, AZ. I had a reliable vet there that has always treated them. Ive always been a responsible chin owner (for 13+ years, I had 3 chins but my very first passed away in 2010 from old age - he was a rescue I adopted that was treated horribly, so he was already several years old by the time I got him. I had him cremated and he's on my shelf as we speak to stay with me forever) So in the process of this move, to not put stress on them, I had them staying with my fiance for about a month while I got myself settled. Now...the last two weeks since I've moved them in with me (and trust me, this took awhile to figure out) I kept hearing a clicking sound coming from the kitchen in which they are in (you'd have to see pictures to see the design, but they're no where near any harmful appliances and directly right under the AC vent). It sounded JUST like the click you would hear when you light the pilot on a gas stove but not as rapid...just once in awhile and every time I walked into the kitchen, it would stop regardless of how long I stood there trying to figure out where this click was coming from. I though it may have been the chins but ever time it would happen, they were sound asleep and there's nothing for them to chew on to make that specific noise. On a hunch, I decided to check their teeth. Kip (my standard, also a rescue) let me see his teeth without a fight. Case, the one I'm worried about, fought me like crazy. I finally was able to get a peek. The very tip of his teeth are black but they're not long or crooked. Add this to the lump he's developed...I'm really worried. I know I need to get him to a vet but I can't seem to find one reliable in Phoenix. So two questions...is anyone familiar with the area that knows a good chin vet and does anyone think he's developing malocclusion? He's an old guy. So I don't know if this is age related. He's still eating but I've now noticed (since his teeth caused it to ring a bell in my brain) that he's losing disinterest in food. Please...if anyone has an opinion or can help, I'd appreciate it. Thank you.
Its just...if that is what it turns out to be, what do I do with Kip being all alone? Start the heart break cycle all over again? I'm feeling stuck and paranoid and heart broken until I see the vet Monday.