Worried..

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tknoir

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Joined
Apr 18, 2009
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Ok, my oldest female Salem has started acting really odd today. She's extremely lethargic. Will not eat unless I hand feed her. She keeps pawing her mouth and drooling a little. I already checked her teeth and they are normal. What really worries me is that when I pick her up she usually throws a fit when I touch her butt region but she just laid limp. And when I put her down she fell over over her side and couldn't get back up. Her legs were completely limp.It almost looked like a seizure that I've seen in other chinchillas, but she's never had them in 7 years. I've already talked to the vet and heading up there now.

Anyone got ideas?
 
just because she hasn't had certain health issues in 7 years doesn't mean she cannot have one now. I only have guesses to be honest, but is it possible that she fell? I've seen chins who have fallen being lethargic and that may explain the limp legs.

Keep us posted! Hope all is well!
 
You mention that her teeth were checked and they were normal. You had an X-ray done and it showed no dental problems or root elongation? A superficial check with a scope cannot tell what is going on underneath the gumline. The drooling, pawing at the mouth, and lack of appetite are all indicative of dental problems.

Also, what temperature has your house been? If it is/was too warm or she was playing excessively, she may have suffered a heat stroke.

Good luck at the vet. You definitely need vet assistance for her.
 
1. She could have something stuck in or on her teeth causing pain.

2. Even though YOU don't see teeth problems that does not mean there aren't issues. Malo is something that can crop up later in life...it popped up out of nowhere on my 8 year old chinchilla and she had to be put to sleep because of it.

3. What was the room temperature? Was she just out for exercise? If she's seizing it could be from heat stroke.

ETA: Stop reading my mind Sumiko!:tantrum:<-----throwing a tantrum
 
Could be bloat or stasis, extreme pain could cause them to tremble and become lethargic to the point of not moving.
 
In reply to above. I keep my chin room around 63-65 degrees, and no she hadn't been our for her evening exercise yet.

Got her to the vet yesterday. Her calcium and phosphorus are extremely off, dehydration. When they took the X-Ray they found her teeth to be fine...the problem they found is she has two mummified babies that are taking up most of her abdominal cavity. They said that she can't pass them because in the X-Rays they are crossed in front of each other and their legs are now locked together. But they have her on IV fluids and are trying to get her levels balanced. *fingers crossed* Once she hopefully recovers we'll have to take her to surgery to remove the babies and spay her.

I had never bothered to check for pregnancy because I keep the sexes in separate cages and play times. When I weighed her she fluctuated a little but nothing significant enough to make me wonder. The only male she was caged with was supposed to be a neutered male that I was socializing and getting set up for another home. He was a rescue from a family who had him for four years and didn't want him anymore. The condition I took him on was that he was neutered..and the mother's 'boyfriend' was a vet and said that he did it himself! I've already tried calling them to ask about it but they are not answering my calls.

Please keep your fingers crossed! If she doesn't show any significant improvement in the next few days the vet recommends I put her down. She was my first chinchilla and my biggest cuddle baby, her loss would be devastating!
 
Talked to the vet this morning, she's more alert but not improving much beyond that. We agreed to go ahead with the surgery to remove the kits and spay her. I am praying to the chinnie gods that she makes it through the anesthesia in her current state.

As horrible as it sounds if she doesn't improve we will have to put her down. Most importantly for her sake but for our financial reasons as well. We had just drained out emergency pet fund on our cat that got attacked by our neighbors' dog. :( Our roommate is funding us right now and I feel horrible about it. We've already racked up a $600 bill, and that's without the surgery cost. It amazes me how horrible things always happened at the worst times.
 
Vet called. Salem came out of the surgery alright. Her levels are still off but she's more alert and responding. Also some other good news, only one of the babies was stillborn. We should be able to pick them up from the vet tomorrow. The baby is still premature so there's a chance it won't live, but we're still going to nurse it.
 
I forgot to ask, but I have a daughter of Salem's that I had housed with her before the male. She just had a kit two days ago...would it be possible to try and see if she'll accept this kit? I know it can be done, but I know there's the chance that she'll kill it. Has anyone been able to do it? Would it be worth it to try?
 
Thats great that only one baby was stillborn and Salem came out okay- I'm so sorry about the other baby though. I'm not sure about the nursing though- hopefully someone else on here more knowledgeable can help out.
 
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