Charlie has to go to Critical Care Unit :(

[ldjohan]

...Is his pee clear, light yellow or orange?

It's clear. Is that a good hydration sign?

I noticed a couple minutes ago, he's stretching his belly a couple of times.
I got one small size poo this afternoon, and the color is light brown. Not sure if that means anything since it's only 1 and small

I'm getting really worried that no poo has came out yet. Should I consider giving him the baby gas drop? Will it just breaking down the bubble, but the gas still cannot come out?

I got him moving quite a bit this past couple hours by trying to catch him in his playpen.

 

[ldjohan]

I just finished giving Charlie his pain medicine & water at mid-night. He's in a lot of pain. Everytime I pet him on his back, he'll squeek, and all he wants to do is just stay close to my arm and sleep.
I think his belly is bigger than yesterday. This is so hard. I feel I'm losing the battle.

 

[ysy]

Hi Idjohan,

I have a chin that went through something similar a while back. What worked for me was papaya juice (on vet's advice) 3-5ml every 2 hours. She was a dire case and it was a last ditch effort and it worked.

I've also administered 1ml papaya juice mixed into CC to less seriously constipated chins and it got them to pass out the constipated stools very quickly.

I do realise that the use of fruits in chins is very controversial but it had saved my chin's life once so I'm a convert.

You might want to read this thread when I had my problem. The gut problems are towards the end.
http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22257&page=4

For everyone else who might object to the use of fruit juice, I hear where you're coming from but I just wanted to share my experience and help.

 

[ticklechin]

One poo is better than no poo. Since there has been some movement albiet small, you can use the simethicone now, give the chin a full dropper now and a dropper every 4 hours or so.

 

[ticklechin]

I will address the bromelain issue (papaya enzyme) on two fronts-one is the obvious the sugar, last thing you want is sugar added to the mix in a situation like this. The second is this-the PH of a normal chinchilla cecum is 1.5-2.5, bromelain is most effective in 3-5 range, above or below that the enzymes start to die off. During distress that is happening in this chinchillas digestive tract the ph raises, making the bromelain ineffective and frankly not worth the risk due to the addition of the sugar. Sure, maybe a few enzymes might live but is it worth the risk of the additional sugar to feed those hungry bacteria that are already causing issues? IMO, no.

 

[ldjohan]

YSY, thank you so much for the suggestions. I really do appreciate anyone's suggestions and advice. You know exactly how I feel. Hopeless, scared, sad, tired, etc.

I found maybe 2 poo stuck in his rectum and I pull it out. The poo also stuck together blocking the rectum.

I'm going to get the baby gas drop and give it to him.

This morning he greeted me in front of his cage and nibble on my fingers a couple of times. It's enough to keep me fighting for him for another day. I was really ready to give up when I woke up at 3AM to give him his water.

 

[Claire D]

Sending positive vibes your way - gut issues are a nightmare to deal with and the emotional turmoil that comes with it, plus exhaustion (mental and physical) can make anyone want to curl up and cry - all I can say is hang in there - poop is a good sign and a mobile, interested chin is good too.

 

[ticklechin]

This is where the belly massages and exercise is most important, things are starting to move. The simethicone can break up the gas bubbles and the massage will help the bubbles move out along with breaking up the obstruction, if there is poo there is hope and like Claire said, a interested chin is a good too. This kind of issue takes forever to resolve, so don't give up even if it seems like 2 steps forward and three steps back!

 

[smhluvsmh]

Healing thoughts and prayers for you and your baby.

 

[ldjohan]

Thank you for the kind words and thoughts! Much appreciated by Charlie & I.

 

[Tanya]

You can give Charlie some alfalfa; it helps relieve constipation.
You can also use canned pumpkin. It softens the stool and promotes its passage.

Sending healing thoughts...

 

[ldjohan]

Thanks, Tanya. I will get some of that.

I am almost running out of pain killer (buprenex). I only have 3 more injection left which only good for the next 24 hours. Do you think I should use the same pain killer once this one gone, or can he take oral pain killer by now?

 

[ticklechin]

I would still use it until you have more poo, he is still in a significant amount of pain and needs the strong opiod to prevent going into shock. If there is more improvment in poo production and his disposition then you can go oral with something like metecam or tramadol.

 

[ldjohan]

Okay, I will go to the hospital and ask for more buprenex tomorrow.

 

[Kalandra]

I'm almost afraid to ask, since there hasn't been an update for 2 days.... How is Charlie? I'm praying for good news.

 

[ldjohan]

Hi Kalandra! Thank you! I just have been so busy and extremely tired. It's been such a stressful days. It's like an emotional roller coaster this past couple of days. Still no change.... I'm still doing all the best that I can for him. I took him to another vet for third opinion. He is an excellent vet. I wish I had taken Charlie to him from the very beginning. He gave me lots of advice and hopes. He wants me to give him an update on Charlie every single morning, even sometimes twice a day. I must say the first 2 previous vet were just AWFUL! All they want to do is just surgery or PTS. I'm so glad I did neither!!!
Charlie is still hanging there. No poo yet up until today. But I have a high hope and lots of faith in the new vet.
For those who live in Massachusetts area, I would highly recommend Dr. Mertz (Odd Pet Vet). He's such a caring person who cares about the animal instead of getting top $$$.

 

[ldjohan]

I got the best Valentine's day present ever and lots of them!!! POO.....

Charlie is back to a happy chin who eats his hay and even pellets starting last night. He run around his wheel....What a huge relieve to see him back to a naughty eating and pooping machine chin. I couldn't be happier. I'm glad I went ahead to see Dr. Mertz last Saturday. Without him, this won't be possible.

I want to thank everyone here for all the advice and support this past week! Very much appreciated! This is a great forum with lots of caring people.

 

[Kalandra]

Yippee! Now that is a nice Valentine's gift. You do realize that eventually you will have to share a picture of Charlie with us.

 

[cindyv3737]

Great news! What a perfect valentines day gift.

 

[ldjohan]

I will post his picture soon and his last treatment method. I hope it will help other chin who goes through the same problem. Stay tuned!