Baby chin not jumping as much/not drinking water

AngelinaAndAmestris · Jan 2, 2014

Hello! I've been a chinchilla owner for a little over a week now and I've encountered several problems with my chin that I am trying my best to cure.

My chinchilla is 5 months old (so I've been told) and his name is Amestris.
His most recent problem is ringworm. I've been trying to clean that as quickly as possible.

But there is also another thing I suspect might be wrong. Recently, when I changed his diet to help his diarrhea, I gave him nothing but loose timothy hay and alfalfa cubes.

I am cautious as to when I let him out of his cage now because I do not want to the ringworm to spread. But when I do let him out he never jumps! When I first got him he used to jump around on a frenzy. I know that chinchillas are built for jumping and that if he doesn't it can severely damage his little spin. The only active thing he does is run on his wheel like crazy. Also, when I let him out all he does is sniff the floor for bits of food. (He got diarrhea because the lady who sold it to me swore hamster food full of goodies was good for him.) I'm worried!

Secondly, he has an issue with water. A few days ago I bought him a packet full of electrolyte mix to help him overcome his diarrhea and he gulped the stuff down like it was candy. I suspect that it had flavoring to it. I also think he was taken away from his mother far too early, thus disabling his craving for normal water. I do not want my chin to dehydrate himself. Any tips on how to get him to drink more efficiently?

Thank you!

AngelinaAndAmestris · Jan 3, 2014

EDIT: Now my chin won't stop eating! All he does is eat and when he doesn't he cries so he can come out and eat things off the floor. I'm extremely worried.

becky12883 · Jan 6, 2014

If you've only had him for a week, you have a lot going on in that time. I would not let him out to play at all until the ringworm is completely contained, it is contagious between species and you could infect everyone in the house. Next, he also needs time to settle into his new environment. If his diarrhea has cleared up, have you re-introduced his pellets? His food just be only pellets, no seeds, nuts, or dried fruit mixed in. You can free feed him pellets, hay, and water. He's still young and growing and will not over eat. I would recommend not adding anything to his water, or any animals water, ever. You don't want him to get used to it and then stop drinking in protest when he doesn't get it. As far as the crying, it sounds like he's already trying to train you to let him out, don't give in.

AngelinaAndAmestris · Jan 10, 2014

Thank you for responding. I have been slowly incorporating pellets into his daily diet. He seems to be managing fine. I have a set feeding schedule for him which includes hay, timothy cubes, and sprinkles of chinchilla pellets. He is starting to drink his water much more.
When he got ringworm last week I started treating it immediately. I've read that it takes a little longer than a month to get rid of completely (if done correctly), however, I still wonder how I will be able to tell when it is gone. I'm not entirely sure how to make sure his ringworm is gone, nor do I plan to quit anti-fungal procedures after I find out, I just want to be sure that what I am doing is actually working.
I will try my best not to give in to him. For now all he does is run on his wheel and eat. He sleeps in his cage or often on my chest. I started doing this as a strategy to get him familiar with me.

nikkik0720 · Jan 12, 2014

He shouldn't have a wheel yet either. Not until at least 6 months old. That could be why he is eating so much. His body is burning everything off while running, instead of using it to become a strong healthy adult. He should also be restricted to how much out-of-cage time he gets as young chins will often over-exert themselves.

I'm no expert, and a lot of people are more experienced than me on here. I'm just telling you what I've been told.

akane · Jan 12, 2014

Grazing and browsing herbivores do not eat on a schedule. They eat very frequent small meals and should not be left without food just to fit a schedule. If you have to feed him at a specific time make sure he has more than enough food until the next feeding. There should be a little left every day so they do not run out before refilling things.

What water are you using? Both tap/well water and RO/distilled water can taste weird. A bottled water that has been filtered through RO and then had things added back in for taste and health is the best. Do not use bottled spring water. Check the label for RO filtered or distilled water plus ingredients that are not sugar like potassium and calcium carbonate. It is actually useful to use flavored electrolytes for performance and show animals. Then you don't have to haul all your own water along for them because you can make any water taste similar to what they are used to. Not as big of deal with small animals because you rarely need more than a gallon but we did it for horses.

Cuddlebug · Jan 16, 2014

Where in California are you located? If you are near me, I might be able to visit you and help you out. I am by no means an expert, but I have learned a lot from the people on here and seeing the chinchilla and his setup in person may be better than trying to figure it out online.

Dreamlite · Jan 16, 2014

If the soft stools have stopped you can give pellets again. What food are you using? I free feed, not give meals. Chins nibble here and there so meals really are not the best idea for them. The easiest way to tell ringworm is cured is when the hair starts growing back in. I usually treat 4 days passed that point to be sure. Ring worm can be passed from animal to animal and even to yourself so be sure to clean anything he touches. I would stop playtimes and remove the wheel until he is healthy. He needs to be putting all his energy into getting better right now.