Chinchilla Community Forums
Chinchillas => Health => Topic started by: MrChinny21 on August 31, 2015, 05:02:35 PM
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Hello, my Chinchilla, Mr. Chinny, hasn't been eating almost at all for the last 3 days, and he doesn't move around in his cage much anymore. Usually whenever I opened the cage door, he came over and playfully nipped my hand, but these last days, he hasn't done so. I've noticed that he hasn't pooped much or at all either, when I took him to the vet, all they did was say he was depressed and didn't even tell me what to give him or give me any medicine for him. I'm really worried and I'm not sure what more I can do. I'm currently trying to "force" feed him by putting some lettuce and small carrots up to his mouth, which he somewhat hesitantly ate. I just want to get something with water into him, to help him fill his stomach, since he refuses to eat pellets right now, and to help move his bowels. Is there anything else I can do? Any help would be appreciated. I just hope that the worst doesn't occur... he's 5 Years old if that helps.
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I hate to say this but lettuce and carrots are not something that should be given to chinchillas. Their diet is very specific and requires dry foods only, otherwise their digestive systems will fail and you will end up in a situation that you may not be able to recover from.
Your pet should be given immediate veterinary care. It needs to be diagnosed to determine the cause of the anorexia. It could be tooth problems, parasites, or complications from being fed an inappropriate diet. Your pet is in very serious condition and must be fed a recovery diet such as Oxbow critical care, which is a mixure of probiotics and hay-based nutrients that is highly concentrated to provide calories quickly.
Please stop feeding hay and lettuce. See if you can get an emergency vet appointment today if possible to obtain the supplies and instructions to do that. If that is not possible at all I recommend making a mash of alfalfa pellets and water and try to feed it off a spoon. Limit it to two tablespoons, but even two teaspoons can be beneficial.
Please consult back with us on your pet's normal diet. If your pet does recover, it will need appropriate pellets and loose hay. Do not feed treats of any kind at this time.
You should be looking for a veterinarian who has experience specifically with chinchillas. Your next best option is a vet that sees rabbits, which really isn't a very good option because chinchillas have specific needs and considerations for treatment unique to their species. You will need to start treatment for gastrointestinal stasis immediately. If the stasis is caused because of dental problems you have the option of getting the teeth floated, however, unless the cause is not genetic, it will keep occurring without regular filing of the teeth. These symptoms are very severe and you may not have another day.
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Improper diet could cause the symptoms you are describing. Chins need a simple diet of hay and pain pellets. Fruits and veggies contain too much natural sugars and water for a chin to digest, thus causing issues. You need tip get your chin to a vet asap. Three days it's a long time to go without eating for such a small animal
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Like others have already said, sounds like the diet needs to be revisited. I found this: "Chinchillas can eat carrots, however they don't really need to eat carrots and these wouldn't be the types of things they would be finding in their natural habitat. The most important things to provide your pet chinchilla with are fresh hay, pellets, and water." (credit: http://smallpetselect.com/category/nutrition-questions/chinchillas-nutrition-questions)
Too much sugar and water from foods can cause some major GI issues. Hoping he is okay!
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was this vet a specialist? or at least know enough about chinchillas to treat him? if not, i would find another vet, just to make sure its nothing serious.
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Please do not feed chinchillas ANY vegetables. Just because they can eat them doesn't mean it's it's good for them. Chinchillas will eat just about anything. An improper diet will have serious long-term effects. A diet that does not have the correct fiber content will destroy their teeth and that is fatal. If your pet is maintaining a healthy weight on his regular hay and pellets and has no abnormalities (feces are firm, normal-sized, and dark) then you can expect your pet will live a long life.
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Hey Mr Chinny 21,
I'd like to know - did Mr Chinny make it through? :'(
I know its heartbreaking to see them go through an illness and not having them talk to you, but only for you to try your best and figure it out.