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JennyBug

JennyBug

Sometimes I love too much
Joined
Feb 1, 2009
Messages
658
Location
Indiana
OK, I'm hoping someone can help me with this one. I posted a few days ago regarding my chin, Carmen, repeatedly licking at her genitals. It stopped for about a day, but now it has started up again. Her genital area is soaking wet (she is getting dust baths and I am wiping her off, but it does little good), and even her face is getting wet from the amount of licking. It seems like she might be trying to clean herself, but I don't want her to start tearing out fur in the process. I've tried looking up information, but nothing specifically covers this in girls (yes, I'm sure she's a girl), only hair rings in boys.

She is eating and drinking the normal amount if not more, but she is also much less active than normal (hardly runs on her wheel, lies around, doesn't play with Minnie, etc.). She is having normal bowel movements (they have actually gotten stuck in her soaked nether-region). She's not sluggish, she can move just fine, she just chooses not to.

If someone out there knows what might be going on with her, PLEASE let me know! We can and will take her to the vet Monday if she needs to go, but I would appreciate any insights that some of you more experienced than me might have.
Thank you.
 
PS - Pretty sure she's not pregnant. She did live with a boy (they had separate cages but were allowed to play together), but we've had her since September and we only have girls.
 
Are her genitals red, irrated swollen? Anything of the sort?

And if she had playtime with males there can be a good chance she is pregnant. I don't know if that would or could have to do with this though. I know that some pregnant chins have done excessive cleaning in their cage and themselves, but this sounds like more than just that...
 
This sounds like pyometra, which is a very serious uterine infection. My first chinnie Gregory (a girl) had this and had to be spayed. Carmen needs to see a vet right away.

If she was allowed to have playtime with a boy, then there is a chance she was pregnant at some point, but lost the kits, which could have caused the uterine infection.

Again, she really needs to see a vet now (not Monday!).
 
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peachydays said:
This sounds like pyometra, which is a very serious uterine infection. My first chinnie Gregory (a girl) had this and had to be spayed. Carmen needs to see a vet right away.

If she was allowed to have playtime with a boy, then there is a chance she was pregnant at some point, but lost the kits, which could have caused the uterine infection.

Again, she really needs to see a vet now (not Monday!).
Click to expand...

I second this. Sounds exactly like pyometra, and she will most likely die without a vet today. They don't need to have been bred to get it either. Please find a good vet asap.
 
And if she had playtime with males there can be a good chance she is pregnant. I don't know if that would or could have to do with this though. I know that some pregnant chins have done excessive cleaning in their cage and themselves, but this sounds like more than just that...
Click to expand...

No, she couldn't be. Re-read the post. She has had her since September. So unless this chin turned into an elephant for gestation, it's impossible for her to be pregnant.

I also agree with the above posts. The constant licking and wetness could very well be pyometra, which is really not something to mess around with. Discharge associated with pyometra can be clear and have no odor or it can be white/yellow and smell really bad. It seems to be different with each chin. In either case, definitely get her to a vet asap.
 
I will also agree that she needs to get to a vet. The amount of discharge does not sound normal at all.
 
on the phone right now looking for a specialist open on Sunday... not much luck... will update when I know more... she seems fine this morning (it mostly happens at night)
 
I spoke to a specialist on the phone. He said that if anything it would be an open pyometra since it is draining, which he said is a "good thing" (meaning that she's getting the infection out of her body), and she might be able to get better with antibiotics rather than an ovariohysterectomy. Of the other 15 or 20 vet offices I've spoken to this morning, they have assured me that since she is still eating, drinking, and her coat is still in good shape, she will be okay with an appointment tomorrow. I am still calling vets to see what I can do for today, but the only vet who would be able to hysterectomy can't put her under (she is 7 mos. pregnant herself). I have one more specialist to call. If anyone has anymore advice, please let me know

**If you are going to tell me to take her to the vet, you are preaching to the choir. I know the sooner she gets vet care, the better, but if she has to have an operation, I would much rather a specialist do it than someone at an e-vet who thinks a chinchilla is a type of dog (yes, it happened today). I will do what is best for her.
 
The vet is right, an open pyometra is much preferred over a closed one. Usually by the time you discover a closed one, they are almost dead. If you can't get her anywhere today, then you can't, but it's good that you are still trying.
 
Keep looking, do the best you can.

Pyometra can be treated with anti-biotics if it's caught soon enough. I'd call the vet who suggested it can be treated that way and see if you can pick some up to start her on today.

Get some Critical Care in case she stops or slows down on eating and you need to hand feed. Also get some probiotics for her, acidophilus will do good, you can get it at the pharmacy, drug store, any place that sells vitamins. Give it at least 2 hours AFTER the anit-biotic or it will cancel it out.

Please keep us updated, and good luck.
 
If your vet thinks it can be treated with antibiotics rather than a hysterectomy, that is wonderful. Surgery can be so risky on the little fluffs because they're so small. During my Gregory's hysterectomy, the vet's hand slipped and Gregory's intestine was cut. She ended up having to be put down a few days after the surgery when it became apparent that her intestine was going to heal smaller than what it had been, thereby not allowing feces to pass through it. However, if the vet thinks that a spay is necessary, it's definitely not the end of the world (I didn't mean for it to sound that way). I know of several chinnies that have had successful spays.

I'll be thinking of you and Carmen!
 
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the two of you. I know how heart breaking this was for Shayna with Gregory and I pray your wonderful girlie can be treated with antibiotics and not need surgery.
 
I agree with getting her on an antibiotic until the spay can be done (if necessary). At least that way you will be keeping her from getting worse.

Good luck with your little one.
 
OK, here's an update. Carmen didn't lick/bother herself at all yesterday, and this morning she was perfectly happy and bouncing around the cage. Her back end was clean and dry, and she is still being a piggy chinnie when it comes to hay. I'm going to take her to the vet (they haven't opened yet, so I haven't been able to make an appointment) just to be safe, but we may have dodged the pyometra bullet (I'm not a vet, but from what I have heard from vets and read she would not be eating or moving and her coat would be in bad shape - none of those apply). Like I said, I WILL BE TAKING HER TO THE VET!! I just wanted to let you all know that she's still in good shape (she even woke me up last night with an intense workout on her wheel). I will let you all know what I found out after the vet visit!
 
Update!!!!!

POST-VET UPDATE:
Carmen saw the vet, and he gave us some flavored Baytril for the infection. He doesn't think a spay is necessary at this point, since the infection actually seems to be clearing up (discharge is clear, and there is hardly any of it - he had to try pretty hard to find it. As long as her appetite stays good and she continues drinking, she will be in good shape. She's munching on some pellets right now, and she will get some play time at around 9:00 with Minnie.

She will be getting medicine twice a day for at least 10 days. If she hasn't improved or starts going downhill, we are to bring her back and he will do the spay. He is a very nice vet, but since not many people around here have chins, he hasn't seen many of them. He does have plenty of small animal experience, and he looks up whatever he needs to. Hopefully we won't have to see him again for quite a while!!

Thank you to everyone who helped and supported us!! I will give you updates if they are needed! :)
 
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Man, all of the stuff you guys said about Baytril was right! I don't feel like eating after I give it to her just because of the smell! She definitely didn't appreciate her first dose last night (she sat in her cage and attempted to drool it out of her mouth to get rid of the taste), but this morning she did a much better job. I don't leave the house until I see her eat something, and I give her about 1/4 to 1/3 of a raisin to get the taste out of her mouth, followed up with part of a cheerio for being a good girl. She's still eating and drinking, and she is definitely acting much less pitiful. I searched high and low for Critical Care online, and I was finally able to order some (I wish Oxbow would just sell it on its website!) just in case she stops eating, but I don't think she ever could; she's too much of a hay piggy!! :)
 
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