Glenna Rogers recently wrote to us about some serious health problems her chinchilla is having. If you happen to have any insight, please respond to this posting. This particular medical problem is over our heads so help if you can.
More than a month ago, our 3 yr. old chin began having raspy breathing and his energy level began to drop. We took him to our vet, who prescribed Baytril twice a day. He seemed to get better for awhile, but the medicine tastes nasty and he hated it. He would fight taking it and would be so stressed out by the time I was done trying to administer it, that he would go to the bottom of his cage and breath hard for several minutes. The vet said there was nothing else they could give him.
Since this was not working, I took him to a vet more knowledgeable in exotics, who prescribed the pink antibiotic twice a day. Since it is sweet, he takes it like a champ. He got noticeably better at first, even running like crazy on his wheel and sleeping in his sling at the top of his cage, but then after the 12 days of the antibiotic were finished, he started going downhill again.
I took him back in and they did an x-ray, finding something in/on his lung, but they do not know what it is, only that it doesn't belong there. They have put the x-ray out on the internet for other exotic vets to look at and it is agreed that the spot isn't right, but they don't know what it is. Meanwhile, he is back on the pink antibiotic, but not doing any better. His appetite is fine, but he is losing weight. He acts like something is caught in his throat and unless he eats very slowly, his sides heave like he has the hiccups. He even does this after taking the medicine. His energy is still way down - he will only go on the floor of his cage and the one shelf above it. I am extremely worried, but I don't know what else to do. The vet is very concerned also.
Has anyone out there had a similar problem? Thank you for your comments.
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May 9th, 2007 at 11:41 am
I am not sure if this is the same problem. One day I found my chin almost without breath. We took him immediately to the vet. I insisted on emergency appointment. Thank God for the best vets ever. They took x-rays which showed a fluid in his lungs and gas in his stomach. Turn out to be his teeth problem. While he couldn't chew, somehow gas built out and created the pressure on his lungs. That is all I could understand. We left him in the hospital under the oxygen tank. He is completely better. He hated the medication and forcing it wasn't pleasant for us either.
I hope your chinchilla is doing better.
May 11th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Thank you so much for your comment, Anna. We have had Sheldon's teeth looked at, because he sputters and coughs as he eats, but the vet said they were very good. Sheldon continues to eat well and is holding his own, but his life is not what it once was. He doesn't have the energy to run on his wheel or jump from shelf to shelf like a monkey. We have a referral to a more specialized exotics vet, so maybe he will be able to shed some insight into Sheldon's problem. He is, of course, loving all the extra attention showered on him, though I wish his health could be like it was before. I am very glad your chin has made a full recovery and I appreciate your writing in to help Sheldon. Glenna
May 11th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
I am little paranoid about my chinchilla's health. He is my first and the only one chin. We don't have any other pets. I understand, they are very sensitive and they need a lot attention. It is heart braking to see them suffer, so my heart goes for you. I hope the specialized exotic vet will be able to diagnosed him and help. Please let me know about his progress.
Anna
May 17th, 2007 at 11:05 am
Hi Anna,
Sheldon's vet had a consultation with the exotics vet and unfortunately, he didn't think there was anything further he could do for him. He said you can't open a chinchilla's chest to look around. He also didn't know what the spot on the lung could be. He did say that if it was a resistant infection, we could try an injectable antibiotic to see if that would help. He is looking into that right now. I feel like I have to give Sheldon every opportunity to get well. At this point, he is not getting any better, but he is also not getting any worse. I feel that as long as his appetite is so good and he will eat all the wholesome food that I can give him, he may have a chance that his body can fight off whatever it is. I will keep in touch as things progress. Hope your little guy is still doing well. Glenna
May 22nd, 2007 at 10:32 am
Thank you Glenna.
My little guy is doing well. We have
an appointment with his vet just to trim his teeth, but otherwise he is
great. We feed him with fresh vegetables. Did you look into it?
Good luck with Sheldon.
June 4th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
Hi Anna,
We have not done the shot with Sheldon, but every day he is a little better! I believe the fact that he never lost his appetite has a great deal to do with this. He has much less difficulty breathing (it is inaudible now) and only once in a while does he sputter when he eats. He is doing a little running in his wheel and one morning when I went in to feed him, he climbed his wire cage clear to the top, just like he used too! But he does tire easily and these activities are not done everyday. I am just so thankful for every little improvement. He loves fresh fruit and some fresh veggies, though I wish he liked his veggies better. He has a sweet tooth, but he also likes cheerios and a shredded wheat biscuit in the morning. I will keep you informed as to his progress. Thank you again for caring. Glenna
December 25th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
This is a reply re respiratory problems with Chins.
I have an 18 year old boy who is having this problem.
The anti-biotic is foul tasting but the vets have no alternative. If you are having truoble administering the anti-biotic try following the dose with glucose powder mixed with water adminisered with a syringe. The sweet taste of the glucose helps to neutralise the previous bad taste and gives not only energy but also liquid. Try also a bowl of hot water near the chins cage with menthol and eucalyptus oil which clears the nasal tract. Not too close though as it is quite strong.
Does anybody have an alternative anti-biotic? Baytril is so foul.
Try feeding baby food of pureed of fruits with a syringe if your chin is not eating. Again it is good aftr the anti-biotic for obvious reasons.
Give lots of TLC keep your pet out of draughts and constantly monitor it's condition. you can then respond when needed.
Mary