3 day old kit in sticky adhesive

[tunes]

I randomly answer questions on other sites to try and steer the people from there to here, as I think a lot of the advice given is not only dumb, it's dangerous. I came across this question today, and honestly, I am just about at a loss as to what to tell this person. I don't usually post anything under the emergency section, but I really think this kit (and possibly mom) are in danger. I'll post the question, as well as my answer, in hopes someone here can add to it.

How can i clean a sticky baby chinchilla?
I have a 3 day old baby chinchilla, unfortunately it walked into a sticky pad we use to catch scorpions, it has become very sticky, how can I clean him safely, should I use water?
22 hours ago - 3 days left to answer.
Additional Details
I have a 3 day old baby chinchilla, unfortunately it walked into a sticky pad we use to catch scorpions, it has become very sticky, how can I clean him safely, should I use water?

I am sure that dust isnt gonna work!!! It has sticky stuff all over, the dust will only stick to it and make it worse!!!
21 hours ago

My answer:

Dust is not going to take care of this problem. It can get a lot of stuff out of fur, but not sticky adhesives. If it was an adult chinchilla, I would say to water bathe with a baby type shampoo and thoroughly dry him/her, but if you try that with a 3 day old kit, you will most likely end up killing it.

This is just a bad situation. How on earth did a 3 day old kit get out of its cage in order TO walk into a sticky pad meant for catching pests? Is the cage not kit safe? Was this a surprise litter?

If it was me, I would contact the company and explain the situation to them. Tell them how incredibly delicate a chinchilla is, the fact that it's only 3 days old, and see if they have any safe solutions. I would be worried not only for the kit, but also for the mom. The mom's natural instinct is going to be to try and bathe this kit clean, thereby ingesting this nasty adhesive crap that's stuck all over her the baby. I would very, very concerned that this would cause a blockage in her intestines if she ingested too much, put her off her feed, cause her to turn on the kit - any number of things.

Please, take the time to join http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com. I'm going to cross post this there and hopefully get some more answers for you because I am just about at a loss here for a safe way to clean this poor baby up. Maybe someone there will have more insights that they can share. A lot of people there have had a lot of experience with pretty much anything you can think of, so maybe someone has something better they can recommend. I have to say that for me, personally, this is a first.

I used those sticky things ONE time to catch mice. I was so freaking sick afterwards, from trying to pull baby mice off it, on my knees throwing up in the yard while they screamed, that I think they should be pulled off the market. I'm sure it's basically the same thing for the scorpions (shudders). I just don't know what advice to give for such a young kit, other than to contact the company.

Anybody else?

Please keep in mind - I invited this person here, so let's be thoughtful of our remarks. I am seriously hoping we can help in this situation.

 

[addictedtochins]

I think dawn dish soap works better than baby shampoo.

 

[HaleyGoBoom]

Oh my, I really have no idea how you could get that out. I've heard of using eucalyptus oil for cat and dog fur, but I have no idea what that would do to a kit.

 

[Claire D]

Depending on how much sticky there was I'd be tempted to trim the fur away so that it cannot do any further damage and the Mum cannot ingest the sticky substance when she tries to clean the kit - but the person would have to VERY careful so as not to damage the kit.
Alternatively I'd take Mum and kit to a vet and see if they can clipper off the affected fur??

Dunno what else to suggest really - that's a really weird one. :hmm:

 

[Kansas City Chinchillas]

I would use alcohol to remove the glue.

 

[Stackie]

I'm not sure how practical or safe this is, especially on a live animal, but I have always heard to use lighter fluid to get sticky stuff off. Maybe dampen a cloth with it and try to work it out of the fur? If anything, it can be a last resort type thing...as long as the kit is thoroughly washed off afterwards.

That poor poor thing

 

[ticklechin]

From Helpingwildlife.org

If you encounter an animal stuck to a glue trap, pour a small amount of any kind of cooking or baby oil onto the parts of the animal that are stuck and gently work the animal free.

 

[Laurie]

No to eucalyptus oil it's too strong of a scent for the chin and can affect it's lungs. I agree with Theresa and think Dawn dish soap is the best bet. They use Dawn dish soap to get oil of ducks and other sea creatures/mammals after an oil spill. YES to calling the manufacturing and asking them how to remove it from the chinchilla. Hopefully this baby will survive.

 

[ticklechin]

A better description from the Humane Society of America

Supplies you will need:

a pair of thick gloves
a bottle of canola or other cooking oil (baby oil can also be used, though it is not as effective)
a thick towel
Steps to releasing an animal from a glue board

Caution: Please attempt this only in the event that you cannot find a wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian. Wild animals can be dangerous at any time when handled, but especially so when they are trapped and defending themselves. Please do not attempt this if you are not comfortable with the procedure described.

Run hot water over the bottle for a couple of minutes until the oil in the bottle feels warm on your wrist, but is not hot enough to burn. It is not necessary to heat the oil if you do not have the capacity to do so.
With your gloved hand, gently restrain the animal near the head with a towel. (Place the towel near, but not over, the animal's head.) Keep a firm but gentle grip on the animal.
With your other hand, gently massage the heated oil into the animal's fur, feathers or skin at the point where contact is being made with the trap. It will take several minutes for the oil to start to soften the glue. Continue the massage until the animal becomes free from the trap. (This may take some time and a great deal of patience for both of you.)
Once you've removed the trap, keep the animal in a warm, dark and quiet location until a wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian is available. The animal should receive treatment for being "oiled," as oil affects an animal's ability to regulate its body temperature. If this is not possible, then a holding period until release conditions are appropriate is the next best step.

 

[3CsMommy]

I'd try baby oil or vegetable oil first, then a little bit of peroxide to get the oil off before mom ingests it. We've used that combo successfully with baby kittens that got into wet paint before they were surrendered.

 

[addictedtochins]

I'm not sure how practical or safe this is, especially on a live animal, but I have always heard to use lighter fluid to get sticky stuff off. (

No, I was stuck in a dirtbike accident with my butt in a gasoline puddle and it caused a terrible skin burn

 

[Rickman]

I was thoroughly condemned for a lighter fluid recomendation - to remove gum - at C+Q's!
In reading the contents and warnings, it says to use in an open area, and is only a mild skin irritant - guess they changed the chemicals, as it used to be pretty nasty stuff!!
I'd only use it as a last resort, though - try the cooking oil!!!

 

[S & C's Chin]

I used cooking oil to get a glue pad off a sister's kitten. It took a lot of gentle rubbing, but it worked. Then I used Dawn to get the oil off the kitten.

My husband also suggests "Goo be Gone" since it's made with oils and lemon.

Hope they figure out something for the poor baby.

 

[Chinmama]

My first thought was to head to the vet to have the fur clipped.

 

[BellaBella]

goo gone is labeled combustible, and "avoid prolonged contact with skin" right on the bottle. That was my first thought too, but the baby oil/ vegetable oil then dawn sounds much safer to me.

 

[feistychins]

The only thing that I would use that would be safe for the kit is vegetable oil to remove as much of the glue as possible (not getting in the eyes) and then gently washing the kit in Dawn dish detergent. As stated, that is what is used for wildlife coated with oil.

They would have to make sure the kit is really dry before placing back with her mom. This is going to have to be a very gentle process since the kit is so small and young.

 

[Twilight Chinchillas]

I think dawn dish soap works better than baby shampoo.

Yup I've used this too! Birds getting caught in a sticky trap.... Worked like a charm!

 

[Renee]

Skin so Soft by Avon, we use it at the vet clinic to get that really hard sticky tape off the fur and legs for animals that we place caths in. I really think the best thing will be to try to cut it out the fur.
One of my chins got into duct tape and i had to cut her fur to get it out but then again she is a grown chin with tons of fur.

 

[rcr]

I know that Uni-solve makes an adhesive remover for bandages but I have no idea if its safe if ingested so they would have to look into it.

 

[CritterMom]

I sincerely hope the person comes here. I hope that they are willing to do the work it takes to save this poor baby, if it's possible.