Pepperlilly
Chin mom for 6 Years
Hello everyone – from South Africa.
I need advice and support from someone who has been through Malo with their chin or possibly a vet?
Diagnosis: My female chin, Neela – 3yr 7mnth, has developed malo.
When: she started showing true signs about 3 weeks ago, but since she was about 2yrs 5mnths I noticed a slightly more ‘bumpy’ lower jaw than average. Here eye sockets are fine though.
Symptoms: She was not eating at all and dropped her pellets and possibly not drinking water. She has lost weight. She was drooling slightly and her jaw motion during her chews was very abnormal. Bloated and not pooping BUT no signs of any fecal pellets in her system. She passed the occasional slimy, sticky clear mucus from her bum. She was also sleepy and had no energy.
Cause: Neela’s mom, Lilly 6yrs 10mnths, is her companion – she has no issues or signs of malo. Neela’s father, Peppers, died September 2015 at the age of 4yrs 10 months, but he was a small chin and I’m assuming didn’t come from good genes as was below average size and his jaw bone was also quite bumpy. So this issue may be genetically induced or from her diet, but my other chin Lilly has no issues. So I am leaning towards genetics.
Feeding: Nowhere in my country is Oxbow Citical Care available so, I was syringe feeding her (her pellets mushed up (with calcium powder) along with Nutrostim, a Vitamin B, high calorie nutritional supplement (0.2mls a day) made by Cipla Vet – I’m not sure if it is available in your country) I was feeding her about 9 mls of feed in the am and evening (as I work and not at home to feed during the day) 0.2mls of Nutrostim and 2mls of purified water.
Her diet is made up of a Chinchilla Mix called Tiny Friends Farm and here is the nutritional information:
Composition: Wheat, timothy hay, alfalfa meal, flaked peas, soya bean hulls, flaked maize, soya bean meal, extruded maize, wheat feed, linseeds, soya oil, dried carrot, sunflower oil, calcium carbonate.
Analytical Constituents:
Protein 16.0%, Crude fibre 15.0%, Fat content 3.0%, Inorganic matter 5.0%, Calcium 0.6%, Phosphorus 0.4%
Nutritional Additives/kg:
Vitamin A 20000 IU, Vitamin D3 2000 IU, Ferrous sulphate monohydrate 61mg, Calcium iodate anhydrous 1.5mg, Copper sulphate pentahydrate 20mg, Manganese oxide 32mg, Zinc oxide 87mg, Sodium selenite 0.3mg.
Bedding: She also has eragrostis and Lucerne. As well as a nesting box, ladder and polls to jump on, also a pine stump.
Bloat Solution: I was doing a hot compress twice in the morning and twice in the evening with small circular motion tummy rubs.
Solution: I took her to a vet (someone who I know has dealt with and treated dental issues in rabbits) and he said he did not like that fact that her lower jaw had ‘points’ where her molars start. I did tell him that it was an alarming issue for me and suspected she had dental issues. Before I visited the vets practice I had done quite a bit of research on my own so I knew what I was dealing with.
Unfortunately where I live, vets here have very little knowledge of chinchillas and also no experience, so it is very difficult for Neela and me.
So my vet had to call up a specialist vet and he reckoned that the roots of her molars were growing into her jaw and she wasn’t grinding down her teeth fast enough – of which this was my initial suspicion. And as per the specialist the temporary solution which would help only to a degree was to put her under anesthetic and grind/file all of her teeth down.
All this was done at R545.00 (about $38.00) which was affordable for me.
Recovery: Upon collecting Neela from the vet, while she was in her carrier she has passed a large fecal pellet, about 15+ times the size of a normal one. I’m guessing this is a build-up of food.
Also, quite a bit of clear fluid passed through her bum with the occasional wind passing through. And thereafter, her bloat has now disappeared – I’m so happy!
She attempted picking up her food pellets but she dropped it and didn’t pursue the chew. So I have had to continue syringe feeding her the formula. She is now a lot more energetic and is fighting the feeds but does take it though; I just can’t as much in at a time.
She is passing fecal pellets, but they are quite soft and I’m guessing it’s because I am giving her a lot of water (in her mushed up food through syringe and I am feeding her water through syringe separately)
Question:
What I am doing, is it acceptable?
Additionally, do I need to feed her electrolytes and a probiotic?
Does she need any other nutrients?
It is day 2 after her procedure and she is not eating on her own, is this normal?
I know malo will come back in a few months; do I need any more preparation?
She is dirty down at her bits area and her mouth, any idea how to clean her?
Your help and advice will mean a lot to me and Neela as South African Forums, self-proclaimed chinchilla whisperers and Registered Breeders here are not supportive and helpful.
Neela and I thank you so much for reading our story and for your support.:grouphug::heart3:View attachment image3.jpg
View attachment image1.jpg
Attached is a picture of Neela (Dark Brown) and Lilly (Light Beige)
I need advice and support from someone who has been through Malo with their chin or possibly a vet?
Diagnosis: My female chin, Neela – 3yr 7mnth, has developed malo.
When: she started showing true signs about 3 weeks ago, but since she was about 2yrs 5mnths I noticed a slightly more ‘bumpy’ lower jaw than average. Here eye sockets are fine though.
Symptoms: She was not eating at all and dropped her pellets and possibly not drinking water. She has lost weight. She was drooling slightly and her jaw motion during her chews was very abnormal. Bloated and not pooping BUT no signs of any fecal pellets in her system. She passed the occasional slimy, sticky clear mucus from her bum. She was also sleepy and had no energy.
Cause: Neela’s mom, Lilly 6yrs 10mnths, is her companion – she has no issues or signs of malo. Neela’s father, Peppers, died September 2015 at the age of 4yrs 10 months, but he was a small chin and I’m assuming didn’t come from good genes as was below average size and his jaw bone was also quite bumpy. So this issue may be genetically induced or from her diet, but my other chin Lilly has no issues. So I am leaning towards genetics.
Feeding: Nowhere in my country is Oxbow Citical Care available so, I was syringe feeding her (her pellets mushed up (with calcium powder) along with Nutrostim, a Vitamin B, high calorie nutritional supplement (0.2mls a day) made by Cipla Vet – I’m not sure if it is available in your country) I was feeding her about 9 mls of feed in the am and evening (as I work and not at home to feed during the day) 0.2mls of Nutrostim and 2mls of purified water.
Her diet is made up of a Chinchilla Mix called Tiny Friends Farm and here is the nutritional information:
Composition: Wheat, timothy hay, alfalfa meal, flaked peas, soya bean hulls, flaked maize, soya bean meal, extruded maize, wheat feed, linseeds, soya oil, dried carrot, sunflower oil, calcium carbonate.
Analytical Constituents:
Protein 16.0%, Crude fibre 15.0%, Fat content 3.0%, Inorganic matter 5.0%, Calcium 0.6%, Phosphorus 0.4%
Nutritional Additives/kg:
Vitamin A 20000 IU, Vitamin D3 2000 IU, Ferrous sulphate monohydrate 61mg, Calcium iodate anhydrous 1.5mg, Copper sulphate pentahydrate 20mg, Manganese oxide 32mg, Zinc oxide 87mg, Sodium selenite 0.3mg.
Bedding: She also has eragrostis and Lucerne. As well as a nesting box, ladder and polls to jump on, also a pine stump.
Bloat Solution: I was doing a hot compress twice in the morning and twice in the evening with small circular motion tummy rubs.
Solution: I took her to a vet (someone who I know has dealt with and treated dental issues in rabbits) and he said he did not like that fact that her lower jaw had ‘points’ where her molars start. I did tell him that it was an alarming issue for me and suspected she had dental issues. Before I visited the vets practice I had done quite a bit of research on my own so I knew what I was dealing with.
Unfortunately where I live, vets here have very little knowledge of chinchillas and also no experience, so it is very difficult for Neela and me.
So my vet had to call up a specialist vet and he reckoned that the roots of her molars were growing into her jaw and she wasn’t grinding down her teeth fast enough – of which this was my initial suspicion. And as per the specialist the temporary solution which would help only to a degree was to put her under anesthetic and grind/file all of her teeth down.
All this was done at R545.00 (about $38.00) which was affordable for me.
Recovery: Upon collecting Neela from the vet, while she was in her carrier she has passed a large fecal pellet, about 15+ times the size of a normal one. I’m guessing this is a build-up of food.
Also, quite a bit of clear fluid passed through her bum with the occasional wind passing through. And thereafter, her bloat has now disappeared – I’m so happy!
She attempted picking up her food pellets but she dropped it and didn’t pursue the chew. So I have had to continue syringe feeding her the formula. She is now a lot more energetic and is fighting the feeds but does take it though; I just can’t as much in at a time.
She is passing fecal pellets, but they are quite soft and I’m guessing it’s because I am giving her a lot of water (in her mushed up food through syringe and I am feeding her water through syringe separately)
Question:
What I am doing, is it acceptable?
Additionally, do I need to feed her electrolytes and a probiotic?
Does she need any other nutrients?
It is day 2 after her procedure and she is not eating on her own, is this normal?
I know malo will come back in a few months; do I need any more preparation?
She is dirty down at her bits area and her mouth, any idea how to clean her?
Your help and advice will mean a lot to me and Neela as South African Forums, self-proclaimed chinchilla whisperers and Registered Breeders here are not supportive and helpful.
Neela and I thank you so much for reading our story and for your support.:grouphug::heart3:View attachment image3.jpg
View attachment image1.jpg
Attached is a picture of Neela (Dark Brown) and Lilly (Light Beige)
