astryea
Member
This is a long story, but I very generally summed it up at the bottom for those not willing to read the whole thing. Blitz has also been treated by a few different vets, but instead of names I'll just number them.
This all started on the evening of Tuesday, November 30th. I noticed Blitz had not been eating much that day nor was there many poops as well. I also noticed him pawing at his mouth quite a bit and wondered if he had developed another tooth infection as he had the previous year. I started him on Cisapride, Simethicone and hand fed him some CC for the night. The next morning I made an appointment with his fairly new vet (just moved to Maryland from NJ in October) for that afternoon.
Vet #1 did an X-ray which showed some gas and that his stomach had food that wasn't passing through. Blitz received Sub-q fluids and was prescribed Benebac, Baytril and Metoclopramide in addition to the Cisapride I already started. I asked about the pawing at the mouth and getting some pain meds, I don't remember the exact response but I guess it wasn't a huge concern because I left without any.
Late that night I freaked when Blitz seemed to be getting worse. He was very lethargic, dragging his stomach and resisting the hand feedings. I had been including light exercise and stomach massages with a warm compress throughout the day to try and help things along. Nothing seemed to be working so I took him to an emergency vet. The e-vet said he looked bright and responsive and that I should continue what I was doing and give the meds some time to work.
The following morning the emergency visit's summary was faxed to the regular vet. Vet #1 called me to check in and told me to drop by to pick up Metacam. I was to continue him on his current treatment with the addition of Metacam and check in on Monday, Dec 6.
It's Sunday the 5th. Regular vet is closed. Blitz has had no improvement whatsoever. Throughout the morning I observe him continue to be lethargic, appear bloated and resistant to meds (which he usually loves) and hand feedings with barely any poops to show. I couldn't bear the thought of standing by watching him waste away in obvious discomfort for another day. I called the emergency vet, explained the situation and brought him in that afternoon. I accepted their offer of sub-q fluids and bloodwork to look for other causes of his condition. After treatment, his bloodwork came back showing his kidney levels were high (either from his illness or kidney damage) so he was taken off the metacam; also his glucose levels were ridiculously skyhigh over 700. I was instructed to have his regular vet check his glucose again and if it's consistent then I might be dealing with diabetes. I was given a bag of sub-q fluids and injectable Metoclopramide and Buprenorephine to replace the oral Metoclopramide and metacam.
Monday the 6th. RELIEF! THERE'S POOP! And lots of it too. The injectable Metoclopramide did the trick. I setup a follow-up visit with the regular vet that night to go over my concerns with the previous bloodwork. Vet #2 sees him and reviews his history with me. He says a chinchilla with such high glucose levels is unheard of. New bloodwork is done and comes back normal. His glucose level is a little high at 390-something, but far better than the 700 + scenario. Kidney levels are normal. After some thought the vet believes the previous blood work was incorrect. If they were unable to get a large enough blood sample - which is possible with chins - that saline (i think) is used in addition and the results are multiplied to approximate the actual blood values. Blitz's second bloodwork had a large enough sample so we believe those are his actual blood values. Fears of diabetes squashed for now. I explain to Vet #2 about Blitz resisting oral meds and hand feedings plus Blitz pawing at his mouth previously. Vet #2 believes there are teeth points causing him discomfort in his back molars being missed by regular examination. He wants to follow-up on Friday, the 10th with a head x-ray and going in and trimming any points. I am told to stop the Cisapride and Simethicone since he is pooping normally now.
Days leading up to December 10th: Blitz is responding very well to the injectable Metoclopramide and there are plenty of poops to show for it. However he is drooling excessively during the night in between buprenorephine injections. He is still resistant to feedings and meds. He is around 575g in weight as a result.
Friday, December 10th. I drop Blitz off at the vet for his day of x-ray and teeth trim. Upon picking him up I learn that - in addition to some points that caused a draining abscess in one cheek - he had 3 fractured molars that needed to be extracted. I was dumbfounded. Vet #2 said he should be feeling better over the weekend and to continue hand feeding him. He is put back on Metacam and taken off Buprenorephine. He is also started on a new anti-biotic, Chloramphenicol, which is supposedly better for mouth ailments. I am to stop giving Baytril and Metoclopramide on Sunday.
Friday evening into Saturday, December 11th. Blitz takes his oral meds much more easily, but is super resistant to feedings. He struggles and freaks out with every attempt of giving him the syringe. He squeals and cries and kacks. I'm exceedingly scratched up over my hands and forearms. Blitz has started to duck down into the burrito if he can't escape it, or squeeze out and hide in my shirt or curled under my neck. Either way he's flailing like crazy and usually vocal about his protest. Even during the discomfort of the tooth infection he was never this resistant to hand feedings. I was only able to get 5-7 CCs of food into him on Friday evening. I leave him be hoping for the Metacam to help matters in the morning. It didn't. I called the vet's office explaining to the receptionist to ask the Exotics vet on staff if I could increase his pain meds if he continues to resist like this. The receptionist returns and says Vet #3 said he's at the maximum he can receive for Metacam and that I need to do better with my hand feedings or he will just waste away. If I can't get him to eat than I will need to bring him to an emergency vet.
Right now: I've fed him approx 35cc of Critical Care. I know it's not enough but he's being so difficult and I'm really scared that there's still something wrong with his mouth that it's causing him more pain. I want to put him back on the Buprenorephine since that worked so well when he had a tooth infection, but Vet #2 wants him off it since it could decrease his appetite further and he needs to put weight back on. Blitz hasn't been pooping as well due to his decrease in food, and occasionally starts grinding his teeth. Despite this he was chirping and wall surfing for 2 hours or so when I had him out for feedings in his play pen. He's active and playful while out of the cage, and enjoys my attention.
I'm a wreck because I just want Blitz to be better and I'm doing everything I can to help him. I can't afford to bring him to an overpriced emergency vet *again* but I will if I have to. I'm pissed over what was said about the Metacam because his current prescription is 0.04ml once daily when Vet #1 FROM THE SAME CLINIC prescribed him 0.11ml once daily a week earlier. I don't know what to think about this current vet clinic. It's one of the few exotics clinics I could find in my area, but I feel dismissed about my questions/concerns at the moment, they're not open on Sundays and don't even have e-mail or voicemail to leave messages for the vets after hours. I'm thinking about bringing Blitz to the regular exotic clinic that also does the 24 hour emergency services tomorrow. After all the time and money I've spent to ensure he'll be okay, I have not gotten the results I've wanted.
I'm very sorry for the long novel and rant. I've been up since 4am trying to feed Blitz. I just need some encouragement and reassurance from those that understand, and have more experience than me. Should I just grin and bear the feedings with Blitz or does his resistance sound worthy of yet another vet visit? I thought tooth extractions were very risky with chins due to their fragile bones, anyone have advice regarding this and tooth fractures? Also if anyone is willing to speak with me over the phone, I'll PM my phone number to whoever is generous enough to lend an ear.
TL;DR: Blitz has been diagnosed with bloat, GI Stasis, cheek abscess and 3 tooth fractures within the last 2 weeks. Despite being told by the vet that he should be feeling better, Blitz freaks out and resists any attempt at being hand fed. I'm starting to doubt my current vet's treatment and overall ability. I need someone to talk to.
I miss my old vet in NJ. :'(
Thank you everyone.
This all started on the evening of Tuesday, November 30th. I noticed Blitz had not been eating much that day nor was there many poops as well. I also noticed him pawing at his mouth quite a bit and wondered if he had developed another tooth infection as he had the previous year. I started him on Cisapride, Simethicone and hand fed him some CC for the night. The next morning I made an appointment with his fairly new vet (just moved to Maryland from NJ in October) for that afternoon.
Vet #1 did an X-ray which showed some gas and that his stomach had food that wasn't passing through. Blitz received Sub-q fluids and was prescribed Benebac, Baytril and Metoclopramide in addition to the Cisapride I already started. I asked about the pawing at the mouth and getting some pain meds, I don't remember the exact response but I guess it wasn't a huge concern because I left without any.
Late that night I freaked when Blitz seemed to be getting worse. He was very lethargic, dragging his stomach and resisting the hand feedings. I had been including light exercise and stomach massages with a warm compress throughout the day to try and help things along. Nothing seemed to be working so I took him to an emergency vet. The e-vet said he looked bright and responsive and that I should continue what I was doing and give the meds some time to work.
The following morning the emergency visit's summary was faxed to the regular vet. Vet #1 called me to check in and told me to drop by to pick up Metacam. I was to continue him on his current treatment with the addition of Metacam and check in on Monday, Dec 6.
It's Sunday the 5th. Regular vet is closed. Blitz has had no improvement whatsoever. Throughout the morning I observe him continue to be lethargic, appear bloated and resistant to meds (which he usually loves) and hand feedings with barely any poops to show. I couldn't bear the thought of standing by watching him waste away in obvious discomfort for another day. I called the emergency vet, explained the situation and brought him in that afternoon. I accepted their offer of sub-q fluids and bloodwork to look for other causes of his condition. After treatment, his bloodwork came back showing his kidney levels were high (either from his illness or kidney damage) so he was taken off the metacam; also his glucose levels were ridiculously skyhigh over 700. I was instructed to have his regular vet check his glucose again and if it's consistent then I might be dealing with diabetes. I was given a bag of sub-q fluids and injectable Metoclopramide and Buprenorephine to replace the oral Metoclopramide and metacam.
Monday the 6th. RELIEF! THERE'S POOP! And lots of it too. The injectable Metoclopramide did the trick. I setup a follow-up visit with the regular vet that night to go over my concerns with the previous bloodwork. Vet #2 sees him and reviews his history with me. He says a chinchilla with such high glucose levels is unheard of. New bloodwork is done and comes back normal. His glucose level is a little high at 390-something, but far better than the 700 + scenario. Kidney levels are normal. After some thought the vet believes the previous blood work was incorrect. If they were unable to get a large enough blood sample - which is possible with chins - that saline (i think) is used in addition and the results are multiplied to approximate the actual blood values. Blitz's second bloodwork had a large enough sample so we believe those are his actual blood values. Fears of diabetes squashed for now. I explain to Vet #2 about Blitz resisting oral meds and hand feedings plus Blitz pawing at his mouth previously. Vet #2 believes there are teeth points causing him discomfort in his back molars being missed by regular examination. He wants to follow-up on Friday, the 10th with a head x-ray and going in and trimming any points. I am told to stop the Cisapride and Simethicone since he is pooping normally now.
Days leading up to December 10th: Blitz is responding very well to the injectable Metoclopramide and there are plenty of poops to show for it. However he is drooling excessively during the night in between buprenorephine injections. He is still resistant to feedings and meds. He is around 575g in weight as a result.
Friday, December 10th. I drop Blitz off at the vet for his day of x-ray and teeth trim. Upon picking him up I learn that - in addition to some points that caused a draining abscess in one cheek - he had 3 fractured molars that needed to be extracted. I was dumbfounded. Vet #2 said he should be feeling better over the weekend and to continue hand feeding him. He is put back on Metacam and taken off Buprenorephine. He is also started on a new anti-biotic, Chloramphenicol, which is supposedly better for mouth ailments. I am to stop giving Baytril and Metoclopramide on Sunday.
Friday evening into Saturday, December 11th. Blitz takes his oral meds much more easily, but is super resistant to feedings. He struggles and freaks out with every attempt of giving him the syringe. He squeals and cries and kacks. I'm exceedingly scratched up over my hands and forearms. Blitz has started to duck down into the burrito if he can't escape it, or squeeze out and hide in my shirt or curled under my neck. Either way he's flailing like crazy and usually vocal about his protest. Even during the discomfort of the tooth infection he was never this resistant to hand feedings. I was only able to get 5-7 CCs of food into him on Friday evening. I leave him be hoping for the Metacam to help matters in the morning. It didn't. I called the vet's office explaining to the receptionist to ask the Exotics vet on staff if I could increase his pain meds if he continues to resist like this. The receptionist returns and says Vet #3 said he's at the maximum he can receive for Metacam and that I need to do better with my hand feedings or he will just waste away. If I can't get him to eat than I will need to bring him to an emergency vet.
Right now: I've fed him approx 35cc of Critical Care. I know it's not enough but he's being so difficult and I'm really scared that there's still something wrong with his mouth that it's causing him more pain. I want to put him back on the Buprenorephine since that worked so well when he had a tooth infection, but Vet #2 wants him off it since it could decrease his appetite further and he needs to put weight back on. Blitz hasn't been pooping as well due to his decrease in food, and occasionally starts grinding his teeth. Despite this he was chirping and wall surfing for 2 hours or so when I had him out for feedings in his play pen. He's active and playful while out of the cage, and enjoys my attention.
I'm a wreck because I just want Blitz to be better and I'm doing everything I can to help him. I can't afford to bring him to an overpriced emergency vet *again* but I will if I have to. I'm pissed over what was said about the Metacam because his current prescription is 0.04ml once daily when Vet #1 FROM THE SAME CLINIC prescribed him 0.11ml once daily a week earlier. I don't know what to think about this current vet clinic. It's one of the few exotics clinics I could find in my area, but I feel dismissed about my questions/concerns at the moment, they're not open on Sundays and don't even have e-mail or voicemail to leave messages for the vets after hours. I'm thinking about bringing Blitz to the regular exotic clinic that also does the 24 hour emergency services tomorrow. After all the time and money I've spent to ensure he'll be okay, I have not gotten the results I've wanted.
I'm very sorry for the long novel and rant. I've been up since 4am trying to feed Blitz. I just need some encouragement and reassurance from those that understand, and have more experience than me. Should I just grin and bear the feedings with Blitz or does his resistance sound worthy of yet another vet visit? I thought tooth extractions were very risky with chins due to their fragile bones, anyone have advice regarding this and tooth fractures? Also if anyone is willing to speak with me over the phone, I'll PM my phone number to whoever is generous enough to lend an ear.
TL;DR: Blitz has been diagnosed with bloat, GI Stasis, cheek abscess and 3 tooth fractures within the last 2 weeks. Despite being told by the vet that he should be feeling better, Blitz freaks out and resists any attempt at being hand fed. I'm starting to doubt my current vet's treatment and overall ability. I need someone to talk to.
I miss my old vet in NJ. :'(
Thank you everyone.
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