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Question

I have a Chinchilla and he is about 10 years old. He has been eating less and has become less active while in his cage. He will run if we take him out of the cage and put him on the floor but otherwsie he just sits in his cage.

Submitted: 335 days and 22 hours ago.
Category: Pet
Value: $15
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

Age: 10; Male; Breed: Chinchilla

Already Tried:
Probiotics and apple juice to keep him from dehydrating.

Posted by Jessesmom 335 days and 22 hours ago.

Info Request

Hello,

Have you noticed any weight loss?

Are his stools runny or normal?

Do you have a vet that sees exotic animals in your area?

Thanks,
Cher

335 days and 21 hours ago.

Reply

He doesnt appear to have lost any weight. His poop is about the normal size but sometimes is funny shaped and some are pointed or have hollow ends. The closest exotics vet is 120 Miles away and it is currently - 34 C outside so I would like to avoid that if possible.

Posted by Jessesmom 335 days and 21 hours ago.

Info Request

Hello again, and thanks for your reply.

I need to log off now, and restart my computer, as it's giving me problems; I don't know how long this will take, so I will 'opt out' of your question and leave it for another pet expert.

I hope your Chin will be feeling better, real soon!

Cher

335 days and 21 hours ago.

Reply

ok

Posted by Dr. G 335 days and 19 hours ago.

Info Request

Hi XXXXXX,

I'm sorry to hear that you are having issues with you chin.

At age 10, he would be considered older so I'd be worried about the possiblity of a metabolic problem (liver, kidney) or in chins, they can develop teeth problems commonly since there teeth care continually growing.

Is he eating normally?

Do you see any evidence of drooling on chin, front paws?

What is his normal diet?

Where do live (city, state, zip)? In case I can find a vet who is closer to you for exotics.

I look forward to helping you.

Dr. G

335 days and 19 hours ago.

Reply

He actually just went to the food dish and had some pellets. His normal diet is made up of mostly Timothy hay and pellets. He has a 5 year old companion and he seems to be doing fine on this diet I have checked for signs of tooth problems that you have mentioned but he has none of the symptoms such as drooling or eye discharge. We think he might have a case of bloat and have been giving him gentle belly rubs and probiotics and his poop is returning to normal size. He is still lethargic while in his cage. He goes into his house and sleeps quite a bit more than usual. If we remove him from the cage and put him in another room his activity level picks up alot. I live in Brooks, AB Canada and my Postal Code is T1R 1K4.

335 days and 19 hours ago.

Reply

Again he has returned to his pellet dish. Im starting to think he is starting to rebound. He wouldnt touch a thing other then treats the other day.

Accepted Answer

Hi, I couldn't find any vets closer to you than Calgary so I've listed those (in no particular order). It might be worth a phone call to them to see if they happen to know of anyone closer to you.

I'm glad to hear that he is feeling better. If it is a bit of bloat, I would give him lots of fresh hay. This is the best thing to get his gi tract going again. The probiotics won't hurt but they sometimes the bacteria don't survive passage through the stomach acid to help in the intestines. I would also encourage him to exercise also as they can help also.

Again, best of luck with him. Let me know if I can do anything else.


Dr. Richard Weger
Facility:     Exotic Veterinary Care and Referral Service Calgary N. Emergency Veterinary Hospital     Exotic Pets Seen:
Not Specified
Address:     4204-4 th Street NW
     Calgary Alberta
Phone:     403-277-0135
Website:     


Dr. Irene Phillips
Facility:     Avenida All Pet Clinic     Exotic Pets Seen:
Not Specified
Address:      #607-12445 Lake Fraser Drive SE
     Calgary Alberta T2J 7A4
Phone:     403-271-1121
Website:     www.avenidaallpet.ab.ca


Dr. Elaine Murphy
Facility:     Britannia Kingsland Veterinary Clinic     Exotic Pets Seen:
Rabbits   Ferrets   Chinchillas   Sugar Gliders   Prairie Dogs   Hedgehogs
Address:     7738 Elbow Drive SW
     Calgary Alberta T2V 1K2
Phone:     403-253-7044
Website:     calgaryvet.com

Dr. Leticia Materi and Dr. Kerry Korber
Facility:     Calgary Avian and Exotic Pet Clinic     Exotic Pets Seen:
Rabbits   Ferrets   Chinchillas   Sugar Gliders   Prairie Dogs   Hedgehogs   Pocket Pets (gerbils, hamsters, etc.)   Miscellaneous Exotic Pets
Address:     3118 17th Avenue S.W.
     Calagary Alberta T3E 0B2
Phone:     403-240-3577
Website:     www.calgarypetvet.com

Picture
Expert: Dr. G
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 12/22/2008

Veterinarian

Exotic animal veterinarian for 15 years

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