Tumbleweed1978
Member
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2013
- Messages
- 13
My 18 yr old son purchased a pair of chins from Craigslist 2 months ago. He named the girl Gordita, GiGi for short, and the boy Taquito. My son just rented a room from a friend, and is not allowed to have them, so they have fallen into my arms. According to the ad, they were a proven breeding pair of 2 yr old standard grey chins. When the woman delivered them to the house, they were in a tiny travel crate and it was kinda dark, so I didn't get a very good look at them. She said that she too, got them from Craigslist, from the original owner, who bought them both at a pet store, at the same time. The first owner was a self proclaimed "expert" breeder, and when the pair failed to produce kits, she assumed they were either infertile or just a "bad match", but did not bother to research why. I wish I knew who this woman was-I would call animal control and have her shut down! Clearly she's an idiot. Anyhow, the second owner only had them a few months, and during that time they had a single stillborn kit. She and her family are moving to Texas, and thought the move in this heat might kill them, so she sold them to us. As soon as I took them out of the travel crate I knew they were Black Velvets, not standard greys. They appeared in good health, and gorgeous! I knew about the lethal gene, and was horrified to think that the breeder was uneducated enough to intentionally bond these two, or that she could not tell what color they were! I separated them immediately, but of course she was already pregnant, having been back-bred right after her last stillborn. The second owner knew even less about breeding than the first, and had no idea she would go into heat right away, or that she should have a break between pregnancies. I'm really glad I ended up with them and FINALLY they don't have to keep breeding unsuccessfully all the time. So, I was AMAZED when her little Black Velvet boy was born alive on 7-2-13! My son named him El Guapo. (Handsome in Spanish.) Immediately I noticed a problem. His back legs are completely crossed, and they drag behind him when he moves. However, he is nursing really well, and Mama is very attentive and protective of him. He scoots all over the floor of the cage like a pro, and does not seem to be in any pain. He sits up and rolls over without any problems, and has regular bowel movements. I really have high hopes for this little guy! I have spoken to 3 chinchilla breeders and they all agree that he was injured in-utero by humans (the previous owners) roughly handling mama during pregnancy. I am so upset to think that against all odds, he survived the lethal gene combo and still ended up this way because of some mean human.
Does anyone have experience with injured/paralyzed chins, and advice on how to modify their cage to accommodate their special needs? I have already lowered the food and water, and I will be using the smallest pyrex dish I can find for dust baths, once he's ready. At the moment GiGi (mom) and El Guapo are in a single story nursery, but eventually I hope to put El Guapo in with Taquito (dad), in his 5 ft tall mansion. I was told to build some little ramps for him, but out of what? The way his belly drags, I'm not sure what would be best. I don't want him getting rug-burn or splinters! I hope to introduce GiGi to my other two girl rescues, ChaCha (Chalupa) and MiMi (Margarita), although I don't know if they'll get along. Of course I will wait until El Guapo is weaned and moved in with daddy before I attempt to begin introductions with the ladies.
Any help, advice, or encouragement is greatly appreciated!
Does anyone have experience with injured/paralyzed chins, and advice on how to modify their cage to accommodate their special needs? I have already lowered the food and water, and I will be using the smallest pyrex dish I can find for dust baths, once he's ready. At the moment GiGi (mom) and El Guapo are in a single story nursery, but eventually I hope to put El Guapo in with Taquito (dad), in his 5 ft tall mansion. I was told to build some little ramps for him, but out of what? The way his belly drags, I'm not sure what would be best. I don't want him getting rug-burn or splinters! I hope to introduce GiGi to my other two girl rescues, ChaCha (Chalupa) and MiMi (Margarita), although I don't know if they'll get along. Of course I will wait until El Guapo is weaned and moved in with daddy before I attempt to begin introductions with the ladies.
Any help, advice, or encouragement is greatly appreciated!