Serious sudden fur chewing case HELP!!

[LCC]

Alright, chinchilla with SERIOUS, very sudden fur chewing.

For some background, the chin is 8 years old, never had an issue before (not my chin I am asking on behalf of someone else).

In December the chinchilla began chewing the fur off his tail, he seemed in pain and was chewing so significantly that in only a couple of weeks he had virtually no fur left on his tail and was taking big hunks of flesh out!

The tail is now obviously infected and the chinchilla is now showing significant signs of pain.

He has been to the vet several times and has been prescribed Neotopic-H Lotion to be applied topically to the tail and Deprim solution orally.

The vet could offer no explanation to the sudden onset, and no way to stop it. The vet has not done any xrays for broken/fractured vertebrae or identified the infection. They have recently (August 2012) got a cat so it is possible the cat nicked his tail causing an initial infection, though the cat has shown no interest in the chin.

To try and help the tail heal the owner has been trying to construct a cone for him but he always manages to get it off.

So my questions are:

1) What could be causing this that the vet may not have considered, or are there specific tests we can ask the vet to do?

2) Is there a better way to treat the infection? I was surprised to hear the vet had not prescribed Baytril, given there is an obvious infection.

3) How to stop the poor little guy chewing at his poor mangled tail?! I have suggested a paper cup wrapped around around his middle to stop him bending around, do you think this would be effective?

 

[Chinmama]

Poor guy, it sounds like he is in a lot of pain. I would have the vet x-ray him. He could have a broken limb or possibly even a bladder stone.

 

[ticklechin]

This may sound harsh, but if the tail is that bad the tail needs to go.

 

[LCC]

Here is a picture of his tail in it's current state...

 

[ticklechin]

If the sulfa drug you are using orally did not improve the infection, I would move on to another one-baytril once upon a time would have been the drug of choice but resistance problems are many, if this was my chin I would ask for something else like chloramphenicol that does not have those issues, and if the second round did not work I would have it amputated before this infection moves on if it has not done so already.

 

[Lynn & The Chins]

I'm with Dawn...that looks pretty bad. Chins can do fine with no tails. Little Two Paws' is bobbed and Blackberry Bunnybutt has just a little stub...they don't mind one bit!!!

 

[addictedtochins]

I would consider a better chin vet maybe, what area is the chin in? And yes, he will be fine without a tail, my ferret lost hers and she looked like a little white polar bear

 

[LCC]

Hi all,

So we have a few suggestions to try including...
Second opinion with a specialist chinny vet (unfortunately the only such vet lives several hours away from this person but they have suggested they are willing to travel so that shouldn't be a problem).

Cut sugary foods and replace with hay while trying to clear up infections (the food this chin is currently being fed is one of the worst).

It has been suggested mold could be a possible cause of infection so I will get them to suggest that to the vet and check the chinny's environment.

I have broached the subject of amputation with the owner and mentioned that leaving it too much longer could lead to a deeper more serious infection so we will see.

Thank you all, if anyone thinks of anything else PM me as I'm not sure when I will be able to get back to the forum again

 

[Newt]

Hi LCC, whereabouts are you? Auckland? If so, try and get an apt with Kevin at Lynfield Vet Clinic... he's great with chins. Best wishes for the lil guy xxxx

 

[LCC]

Hiya Newt,

Yes I am in Auckland but the owner is in South Hamilton, I've already suggested Lynfield Vet to them but it's a 4 hour round trip for them to get to Auckland so they've taken the chinchilla for a second opinion at another local vet who changed the medication and gave them a cone that fit a chinchilla which he is wearing during the day (apparently he's only doing his chewing during the day and won't eat if he's got the cone on so they take it off at night).

They are going to give the new medication a few weeks to see if anything improves, and if no change are going to make the trek up to Auckland to see if Lynfield has any other suggestions on treatment or will do an amputation.

 

[cahtie]

Oh my gosh, that looks so bad! Poor chin! I wonder if amputating it wouldn't be dangerous as well? That infection looks like its all the way to the base, and to create a huge open wound by cutting it off....not to mention how would stitches work in closing that wound with that skin being so infected so close to the base? Ouchie..again...poor chin.

 

[Newt]

I'm not sure I'd wait a couple of weeks before getting a second opinion, to be honest I'd be looking for another one now. Do you know if the first vet took any swabs or skin scrapings? He could have tried culturing any bacteria or fungi present to see which antibiotics would be best for treatment. Also, could it be some some kind of mite? Did he look at the fur, or check a (small) skin sample under the microscope? I dont know if chins get mites...I'm just suggesting things....so someone correct me if that's wrong!

Are they giving him adequate pain meds? Like Metacam? Also, if his eating is restricted, they should get some Critical Care to syringe feed him. Lynfield Vets sell it, and I'm pretty sure they'd courier it down if necessary.