I am heart broken to have to announce that when I returned home from an exam this afternoon, I found that Nibbler had peacefully crossed the rainbow bridge in my absence. My sorrow is echoed by the entire house, and no one mourns more than myself and Nibbler's cagemate, Brock. I regret that I could not have done more to help him so that he may have been with us much longer, as he was not any older than 5 years and had much more love to give to my family, me, and Brock. However, I am glad that he is now relieved of the pain and suffering that he was experiencing from bloat and from the bite wound that initiated his declining health. He is still very much loved by all, and we have mourned for him greatly since I found him today. My boyfriend and I took the ferry out to my lake house and buried him behind my family's cabin in the forest - the place where I acquired the fondest of my memories.
Special thanks to all of you who helped me through his suffering in chat, as well as those of you who were with me in chat when I discovered his body. You were a better consolation and support than you may realize, and your advice has helped me cope with both my emotions as well as my decisions regarding Brock in light of Nibbler's death.
On another note, the vet's office returned my call during the ferry ride home (the sunset seemed especially beautiful - I can only assume it was to celebrate Nibbler's life well-lived) saying that the propulsid was unnecessary in our case because he was still passing stool, but that if I really insisted they could call around to find a compounding pharmacy to produce it for me. I promptly corrected her about the status of Nibbler's defecation last night and informed her of his death. Her only response was that she was very sorry to hear of my loss, and that she would update his file in their computer system. I still have not directly spoken with either vet that I saw, nor have I received the x-rays that I was promised earlier this afternoon.
I will be more adamant in my chinchillas' care from now on as it would be a disgrace for Nibbler's death to not also serve as a learning experience for me, despite the condescending and stubborn nature of any vet I get stuck with at any animal hospital in the future. Additionally, I implore all of you to take complete and informed control of your babies' care. I caught Nibbler's bloat while he was still throwing out large healthy poos, and had him at the vet within 2 hours. Even with this fast action, the reluctance of the vet to give him injectable medications rather than oral as well as the further reluctance to provide the ENTIRE treatment necessary for this condition prevailed over my better judgment and undeniably led to his death around 24 hours later.
I cannot help but feel responsible for this, no matter how many people tell me I did everything that I could. It is my personal opinion that the responsibility of his death falls on me just as the responsibility of his life and care fell on me and me alone. The $400 I paid that vet over the past week to make him better is dwarfed by the amount of love he and I shared in his final days, and I would've gladly paid more for the treatment he received to enjoy those last days of cuddles and scritches before his passing. He left this earth knowing we loved him dearly, and I hesitantly accepted his parting knowing he loved all of us just as much.
Thank you, everyone.
