Another chin won't eat

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critter_lover

Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2011
Messages
6
Location
Cleveland OH
Hi,

New member here but used to be on the old site. Have had chins for 13 years and successfully syringe fed many of them. Need help with this one.

Mine has had a bumpy few weeks. Tooth trimming put him off his feed. Constipation resulted in a hair ring....and swollen member then a surgical procedure to put it back and a collar so he wouldn't mess with the suture. While syringe feeding (which he hates and fights tooth and nail), scratched the inside of his mouth. sigh.

Collar off for a week but he still refused to eat solid food and fights fights fights the syringe. Tried different sizes and types of syringe, pumpkin, squash, flavored cc, etc. I'm afraid I'm going to lose him as he is down 200 grams. Thoughts, please? I wrap him snugly and hold his head - he literally spits out the food.

Thank you.

Ann
 
Do you have dyne on hand? Have you tried Lifeline yet? Has he ever had simethicone and does he like the taste? What does he really really like to eat? How old is he, has he had a oral exam under gas with x-rays, what was the diagnosis of the teeth problem? Is he on any pain meds or antibiotics and if so what are they? When they fight a experienced handfeeder that bad it usually points to extreme pain and at 200gms if he is a adult I fear you may be dealing with a failure to thrive situation. What was his original weight prior to all the problems? We need a clear picture of what you are dealing with so that is what all the questions are about.
 
Ours likes the apple/banana CC, and was turning it down until we made it thinner, like water.

Hope you get him to eat!
 
This may be a duplicate.....tried to respond several hours ago. I know the Admin needs to approve my posts since I'm new here but, earlier today, it happened very quickly.

Do you have dyne on hand? No

Have you tried Lifeline yet? No - have not heard of this before
Has he ever had simethicone and does he like the taste? No - don't knowWhat does he really really like to eat? Hay and the occasional raisin

How old is he, has he had a oral exam under gas with x-rays, what was the diagnosis of the teeth problem? 4 years old / not under gas. He was in because his bottom teeth were too long

Is he on any pain meds or antibiotics and if so what are they? was on them both right after the surgery but not for a week.

When they fight a experienced handfeeder that bad it usually points to extreme pain and at 200gms if he is a adult I fear you may be dealing with a failure to thrive situation. He fights the syringe but really hates being restricted

What was his original weight prior to all the problems? Original weight was 655

We need a clear picture of what you are dealing with so that is what all the questions are aboutquestions are good - need all the info to give an informed response

Thank you.....
 
I don't have any adivice at all, ovhter than I am going through the same thing. Mine spits and fights and bited and runs away. She's down 100 grams, it's the same deal other than she has a severe infection.

I'm wishing you and your little one luck, your not alone!
 
The chin needs a oral exam under gas and x-rays, it is almost impossible to see the rear cheek teeth with a otoscope and if there is elongation of the incisors there very well could be overgrown cheek teeth. A series of x-rays will also tell the story on what is going on under the gums-periodontal disease, abscesses, tooth elongation, or caries. My only concern is that he may be too thin to withstand the procedure but if it was my chin I would have the vet do it with the understanding he may not make it. The chin cannot go on like this without a diagnosis is my opinion.

As far as feeding goes, you can order Lifeline and Dyne from www.chocolatechinchillas.com, use the dyne to dip the syringe tip in prior to administering the syringe, you can mix the Lifeline with the critical care or try it separate, once mixed and it sits until soft it is very creamy and smooth. Essentials for Life sold here by Tanya is also a food replacer you can try, get small amounts of all oif the above and try to feed him. Simethicone is baby gas drops and you could buy some of that now and try to dip the syringe tip in it first and then administer the critical care, chins dig the flavor and its inert so they can eat it without issues.
 
Pain relief helps

Just had an injured chin who wouldnt eat.

Consulted with the other ladies here and put him on Busprenex this Thursday. Its a pain med, you'll need to get it from your vet.

He began eating heartily as soon as his pain went down and as of this moment has eaten over 200mls of food.

I think pain really was his problem, and its worth it to try on your chin.
 
Whenn using buprenex make you you have access to motility drugs, the opiod does slow down the contractions of the digestive tract and the chin can go into stasis so watch the poo output very carefully.
 
What is Lifeline and dyne? Would like to know what it is you are suggesting I order.... Is it like Critical Care and, if so, why do you recommend it over CC?

I had a chin go through this a few years back - we went to three different vets and had x-rays at all of them. We did eventually find spurs on her back teeth but it took months. We have an appt Monday night

I am getting more into him - 45 ml so far today with another feeding of around 30 scheduled for later. I have simethicone on hand as well as metoclopromide(?) - regalin? It's for constipation - he is pooping steady so that is no longer an issue.

We've been to the vets once a week for the past 4 weeks and one of those visits resulted in a three day stay so please don't think I'm not taking this seriously. I still think that the scratch in his mouth is what's causing the current reluctance to eat solids. sigh. However, not so much drool today so maybe it is finally healing - keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks again -

Ann
 
Lifeline is a supplement that chinchillas really dig the flavor, it can in extreme cases be used as a foof replacement, dyne is a fatty sugar syrup that chins love also-a bit dipped on the syringe tip makes them want to eat the syringe.

I have one right down who is awaiting diagnosis after 4 months of drooling-both vets wanted him to "brew" for a month after the last time put under to see if what is bothering him will present itself so I understand how frustrating it can be.
 
This little guy doesn't seem to like the taste of many things, lol. Most of mine love Benebac and Nutrical....him? Recoils with revulsion. I have Little Tummy for gas relief - rest of the gang smelled it and was begging to lick my finger....he spit it out.

We'll keep plugging.....

Thanks -
 
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