Chinchilla fell, help!

[Carsnapstein]

About an hour ago I was walking around the house with my nine year old chinchilla on my shoulder and he lost his footing and fell on the hardwood. This has happened in the past and he was fine, so I checked him over and put him back in his cage. Now he seems to be having discomfort with his back left leg, he was stretching it out strangely and is limping. He's still alert and he accepted a treat. I feel terrible but I can't take him to the vet except as a last resort because it's far away and I don't have the money right now. Is there anything else I can do? How do I know how serious it is? Thanks...

 

[saphire]

He may have sprained it or ... wait a couple of days and see how it goes.

If he is acting, eating, drinking, pooping, peeing and being his old self. I wouldn't worry too much.
But if some of the above does change for more than a couple of days, it would be best to have him checked at the vet.

 

[mercynursie]

You may want to take all shelves,hammocks,wheel out to discourage jumping and force him to rest his leg also.

 

[Dreamlite]

Its possible he sprained, broke or even dislocated his leg. If there isn't huge improvement in a day or 2 a vet visit is needed. Watch for any changes in eating. Chins in pain tend to not eat as well and can loose weight quickly.

 

[Mt. Zion Chins]

Agree with all. Also from now on if your chin is riding on your shoulder - ALWAYS hold him by the base of the tail (near his butt). That way if he falls or jumps you have him by the base of the tail. Holding a chin by the base of the tail, even if he jumps and is 'hanging' by his tail does NOT harm a chin.

 

[tunes]

I agree with Barb. You should always have a secure hold on a chin when you are walking with him. The fact that he has jumped off before should tell you this is not a safe way for him to be transported. It is very, very easy for a chin to break its leg and the generally recommended treatment is amputation. It would be much easier just to take more care when transporting him than to have to have him lose a leg.

If he is limping, I would confine him to a small carrier and observe him. Don't let him run in his cage, don't let him out for run time. He won't like it, but it will give you a better idea of how he is doing.

 

[nikkik0720]

My girl, who is extremely calm and relaxed for a chin, doesn't squirm or anything when she's held, but if I am holding her any higher than a foot off the ground, I have her tail in my hand just to be safe. She's never jumped, or tried to, but still. I agree with tunes that if he's jumped before, you should have assumed he'd do it again.

Not trying to sound rude or anything, but you should've thought that through a little more.