Chin appears to be cramping .. stomach and lethargic ... HELP

[ChiChi2010]

We received a 5 month chin from a college student who's own chinchilla had given birth to a couple of babies. It was a crowded cage. We have had the 5 month Chin "Dragonoid" for 3-4 weeks now and she has been doing fine. All of a sudden, yesterday Dragonoid starting showing strange behavior. She would jump around one minute then the next minute she would fall to the side and her hind legs would just spread out. A few minutes later she would be fine again then repeat this behavior. This morning she would stand/sit back on her hind legs and kind of freeze with her eyes closed and body would appear to freeze as if it was cramping up. At first I thought maybe she is pregnant and in labor (as that is what it reminded me of). Kind of like she is going through contractions. Then after a few minutes later ... she would be fine. then the process would repeat. At first I thought heat stroke ... but I don't think that is it. Is is gas or some other problem folks have seen before? I am just not sure if this is normal chin behavior as we are new to all this. Dragonoid seems to be eating hay OK ... and we gave her two raisons yesterday thinking the sugar would reset her if the problem is low blood sugar. She does seem to be less active. Help!! What should we give her ... I saw somewhere to get gas medication for infants ... but could this be what is causing her to behave like this?

 

[tunes]

Sounds like she's seizing. A stroke wouldn't repeat itself, a seizure might.

What is the temperature where she is kept? What kind of food is being given? Loading her with sugar isn't the best idea, even if it is a hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) episode. Was she out for an extended period of free time before the episode occurred?

Some more information would be helpful, however, if she is less active, becoming lethargic, then you need to get her to a vet ASAP. Bloat is not characterized by seizure like behavior. This sounds like a different issue with the "freezing up" and falling to the side that you mention.

 

[cindyv3737]

You need to take her to the vet ASAP. That is not normal behavior. As a side note, raisins are not good for chinchillas.

 

[ticklechin]

Bloat looks more like a chinchilla acting like a inch worm crawling along but they can rub the belly on the ground and then twist on the side, then pull themselves up again. The movements look strange and they can hunch up and ears go outwards and eyes squint.

Here is a brief video of mine of a chinchilla with bloat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bc4GdZoi3GU

 

[ChiChi2010]

The tempurature is 78 degrees. We have the air conditioner on. Food she is eating is Kaytee pellets and Timothy Hay. What she seems to be doing is going on her hind legs, closing her eyes, contracting her stomach ... like bringing the front paws inward. Sometimes she will also bring her face to her private part and I think she is eating her poo (which I think is normal for a chichilla). This will last like 20- 30 seconds ... then it appears she comes out of it. Hops around a bit. Sometimes she drags her back body/hind legs as if she is injured ... then next minute she is jumping and moving fine. Could it be just gas?

 

[ChiChi2010]

I am thinking now that it could be bloat. What should I give to her overnight. I can't take her to the vet until the morning ... and I hope I can find a vet that specializes in Chichillas. I read to give Probiotics in the drinking water Apple Cider Vinegar to stimulate appetite. I also saw to give a berry yougart. Can I give the liquid Kifer Probiotic that humans eat .. or is it a special one for rodents. Also, what dose of apple cider vinegar.

 

[ChiChi2010]

Just came back from the vet. Initially, he thought it was constipation with a huge clump stuck in her stomach. The vet was going to put her under and perform an enema. When he put her under, he felt her again ... and then thought it didn't feel like constipation. So he did an xray or scan (not quite sure) and they determined that she is pregnant with 2 babies. Wow that is a shocker. Now my concern is that the Chinchilla is a baby herself (only 6 months now) and pregnant. She was originally in a confined cage with her mom, dad, and baby brother ... so this is probably not good inbreeding.

 

[cindyv3737]

http://chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=86

Read up on the breeding FAQs thread. It will help you with your babies.

Stop feeding Kaytee. Kaytee is full of treats and junk that chins should not be eating. With your chin still being a baby herself and pregnant she needs a good feed. We recommend the following for feeds: Oxbow, Mazuri, PRCS, Tradition, and Nutrena.
Oxbow and Mazuri can both be found at Petsmart. We also have members that sell them.

EDIT: One of our members that breeds should be along soon and able to give you more advice.

 

[Cuddlebug]

One, read up on the FAQs in the breeding and babies section. Everything you need to know is there. Since she is still a baby herself, keep a close eye on her. There is a chance that she will have trouble delivering the kits so you need to be able to get her to a vet immediately if she has problems.

Another thing is 78 degrees is too hot for a chinchilla. They should not be kept in temperatures over 72 degrees. it could kill her.

I agree about the food switch. Kaytee is crap. She needs a good feed for herself and the little ones.

If you have any questions that the FAQs don't cover, ask away and we will help.

 

[tunes]

That still doesn't explain her behavior. I have had hundreds of pregnant females and none of them cramped up, stopped, then fell over. If she was just laying on her side or her stomach and making swimming motions, then it could be labor, but that is not what you are describing. I would be very concerned with this behavior and I would consider seeking a second opinion with another vet. I have only ever heard of 1 chin getting an enema, and it died. Chins don't routinely get enemas.

She definitely needs a better feed, however, until you figure out what is going on with this girl, the most I would do is mix in a better quality feed, while keeping her on the Kaytee. She doesn't need another shock to her system right now, especially with being so young and pregnant. Provide lots of good quality hay (hopefully better quality than the Kaytee pellets), change her water daily and use either a good filtered water or reverse osmosis, and keep a very close eye on her.

 

[Mt. Zion Chins]

I wonder if could be calcium deficient seizures since she is so young and pregnant ??

 

[Kalandra]

I was wondering about calcium deficiency as well. Considering her age, and carrying to kits, and the kaytee diet, could that cause enough strain to cause a seizure?