incompotent vet, help!

[TnkTaingTal]

My chin Tainga has been acting completly normal, but today, i noticed discharge around her nose. I am very worried because i have been to the "chinchilla specialist" in my area and the man did not even know how to tell the sex of my baby girls.
I have four chins at the moment. I had another before these, her name was Nimble. Shortly after buying Nimble her nose looked like Tianga's does, she was also acting like a healthy chin does. A few days later she began snuggling on my chest during playtime and sleeping instead of playing. I did not know much about chins back then but i realized that this couldn't possibly be just her personality and brought her to the vet. As i mentioned before, he did not seem AT ALL confident in his diagnosis. He gave her medication and the very next day she was lethargic. She then began having seizures and it was traumatizing. No one was around to take me to the vet for a half hour to an hour. On the ride there Nimble stopped breathing, my mother and i pulled over and cried. It still hurts today to think about. I felt like either the medication he gave her or the stress of going to the vet is what killed her and im terrified of going back. I honestly don't think i could handle holding another chinchilla in my arms watching the seizures , pleading for her to stop and watching her die.
Does anyone know what i can do to help my chinchilla fight this infection off. I no longer trust vets. Exspecially after seeing that mine was not the only one who made false claims of knowing what he was doing.
P.S Nimble died with a poop stuck half way out. Could this mean something? What causes chins to have seizures? Thank you for your time.

 

[tunes]

There is absolutely nothing you can do to "fight off" a URI (upper respiratory infection) or pneumonia except antibiotics, which have to be prescribed by the vet. There are many chin competent vets in Pennsylvania. If yours is not a good vet, then find another one.

You need to have her seen immediately. Respiratory infections left untreated will result in your chin dying. She needs Baytril and very possibly some hand feeding supplement because often times when a chin gets sick, they stop eating.

 

[Ash]

Where in PA are you? There's quite a few of us who may be able to suggest a good vet.

 

[TnkTaingTal]

I'm in east stroudsburg PA

 

[Ash]

Ok, you're up somewhat Megan, so maybe she'll be able to recommend a vet for you when she gets on. Or maybe Tara, she's a bit farther but still up your way. If you want to drive about 3.5 hours, I can recommend my vet.

 

[Megan]

My vet is NOT a small animal/chinchilla vet however she tries her hardest, and I do trust her with my animals. She is mainly dog/cat but sees small animals on occasion. She is located in Tamaqua, PA. But that is going to be roughly 1.5 hours from you, and she is not open on the weekends. (570) 668-6855



You can try St. Francis and their other location in Lehighton, PA. Dr. Dawn if she is still there is pretty decent, the men are "know it alls" and are not very nice. I will only use these guys in a pinch as I don't mix with their personality.

This number is for their tamaqua location. If I remember right they switch weekends between tamaqua and lehighton. (570) 386-5313

Any vet you go to make sure you have on hand what antibiotics they can and can't have. Or specially ask for Baytril .

 

[TnkTaingTal]

Thank you ladies, your a great help. =o]

 

[Riven]

Was Nimble's episode truly a seizure?

Chins will sometimes, depending on the cause of death have "death spasms" or what is sometimes known as the "death arch" it's most them throwing their head up and back, and arching the base of the tail towards the head over the back. Similar to how a gymnist does a "bridge", only upside down.

 

[TnkTaingTal]

Was Nimble's episode truly a seizure?

Chins will sometimes, depending on the cause of death have "death spasms" or what is sometimes known as the "death arch" it's most them throwing their head up and back, and arching the base of the tail towards the head over the back. Similar to how a gymnist does a "bridge", only upside down.

You know what, i think that is what it may have been. I cant remember well due to the length of time that has passed but, it does sound familiar.

 

[Pikaia]

I hope you find a good vet and your baby gets better!

Speaking of vets, I talked to one at my shop a few days ago and he basically told me that if my chinchilla gets sick I should just get another one! :no: They are all just stupid little rodents, ya know

Good luck!

 

[TnkTaingTal]

OMG! How were you able to not slap him? What ajerk. I mean, even if your not a fan of chinchillas they are still expensive, you dont just throw them out like garbage. The chin that i lost is getting mounted. I loved her too much, some think im crazy lol but, my dad does taxidermy so ill have my baby Nimble back soon =]

 

[ChinnyMom]

that's not crazy at all (the mounting). in addition to loving these lil furballs i'm also an avid fishkeeper and when my large oscar (pushing 11 inches) passes away i'm taking him to a taxidermist (or whoever would stuff and mount a fish).

 

[TnkTaingTal]

I just looked up to see what an oscar fish looks like. They are beautiful. Great idea =o]

 

[TnkTaingTal]

Hey, does anyone know if dust baths can give a chin discharge of the nose? I use Blue Cloud. The vet said that was what caused my chin to have it because the discharge was gone when we arrived there. He said not to worry and she is healthy, but im not confident in his chinchilla abilities.