Not Drinking - gas

[lholly9]

I'm really struggling to get my chinchilla to drink.

He had suspected gas from Friday, saw the vet on Saturday was prescribed metacam, I
supplied infacol. The gas didn't clear up so he went back to the vets today (Mon).

I requested an x ray even though the vet thought we could just up his pain meds and give mobility medicine.

The X ray appears to show gas near the bowel (?) so it was not apparent when palpating.

They have sent his X rays off to a specialist to make sure there is nothing else wrong.

In the meantime, he is very lethargic and refuses to drink water apart from half a small syringe I managed to get into him.

He is eating hay on his own regularly but is clearly unfortable and stretching lots still.

What do I do?
I'm making myself sick staying up with him and trying to hand feed him water.

I'm so worried :'(

 

[lholly9]

@Amethyst do you have any suggestions?
I'm so worried for him

 

[Amethyst]

I'm kind of at a loss unfortunately, maybe just keep trying to offer him water while you are awake. Also you can try rubbing his belly and get him out to move around as much as possible, moving around helps get the gut moving.

He is still pooping and peeing ok right? Normally from what I've heard if the gas drops don't work it normally means something more is going on like a blockage, but that should show up on the x-rays.

 

[lholly9]

Yes, I'm thinking there's something a lot worse going on ...

He's eating such a small amount now that his poos have become really small.
He's also sleeping loads, and only really moving to pee at the bottom of the cage.

He has had some more water and all his medicine this evening and tomorrow the vet will call in the morning, hopefully with the results.

I'm going to get some critical care as well tomorrow, I really need to get more food in him.

I really hope he can recover ...

 

[Amethyst]

Critical care is a good idea, you can get more water in him along with food. In the mean time you can even crush up some pellets and mix those with water and see if you can get him to eat that.

 

[lholly9]

Critical care is a good idea, you can get more water in him along with food. In the mean time you can even crush up some pellets and mix those with water and see if you can get him to eat that.

I did have a go at crushing up some of his pellets but he refused
I'll have to try the burrito method tomorrow with the syringe.
Thanks for replying again.. it's nice to have someone to talk to