Close Call with Pearl

[Alecia]

Hi Guys,
I know I've been MIA for a couple weeks. I've been going through chinnie-hell. Three weeks ago, Pearl started to lose a little bit of weight. I got worried, b/c the chins I've lost over the last year or so generally started out by losing weight. I took her right to the vet, but he couldn't find anything wrong with her. He ran labs and did bloodwork etc, and then just prescribed me baytril. We asked for injectable, got a bit of hassling, but got it. Dan took care of that. She stopped losing weight, but didn't really want to eat. I have been force hand feeding her critical care and lifeline mixed now in vast quantities (luckily she took to the force feeding pretty well after the first few days). I am also still giving her hay and a small quantity of oats. Today she started taking pellets on her own again. I am hoping we've rounded the corner. She lost about 175 grams total, and has gained back 25 so far. Anyway, I was just feeling so beaten down at the thought of losing Pearl on top of all the others, that I just couldn't bring myself to log in here or think about the chins too much. Call it a stupid sense of self defense.

She seems to be doing better, and I am re-emerging from my shell. Sorry for disappearing, it's just been a really rough year. Pearl was the second chin we brought home, and the scare was pretty big, since we already lost Dante (our first chin) earlier this year.

Missed you guys though,
Alecia

 

[Snickers]

Sorry about your chins. I hope Pearl does a lot better. I have a chin here that lost about 100 grs blood test and x-rays were done. He did test on her last year when she was losing weight and pregnant he compared both results. He said that the liver part is higher. He said the next step is ultrasound and liver biopsy the cost will be $400.00. He also gave me Baytril and Metcam. I've been feeding her the same stuff for kits but Lifeline is added to it. She will not eat CC. She has gain 15 grs since Monday. Does your vet know what is going on about losing the weight?

 

[Kansas City Chinchillas]

Welcome back Alecia!

 

[Jenn]

I sure hope Pearl is on the road to recovery but it is always frustrating when there isn't an apparent reason for the turn in health. It sounds like you are doing the best for Pearl, and starting to gain weight is a good sign. Let's hope she desires to eat more on her own soon. Good luck, and please keep us informed of her progress.

 

[Parkerspetchins]

Sorry about Pearl Alecia, glad she seems to be recovering though. I just went through something similar and had x-rays taken and discovered that Coco needed dental surgery for malocclusion (some of her molars were just starting to encroach on her cheek and tongue causing her to avoid chewing). She showed no other signs (no drooling and pawing, etc.) besides the weight loss, had been eating, and pooing, apparently just not as much and it was just gradual enough for me not to notice, or I wasn't vigilant in my observations, take your pick...Hope Pearl continues to improve!

 

[Sandi]

I'm so sorry about your Dante and hope that Pearl continues to improve. :heart:

 

[Diva Chins]

Good luck with Pearl, it sounds like she's doing much better.
Welcome back again!

 

[Laurie]

Hi Alecia! Good to see you again. I'm sorry to hear of your woes with Pearl and I'm sending healing thoughts and prayers her way! Keep fattening yourself up chinnie girl!

 

[Alecia]

The vet has no idea about her weight loss. But I haven't really found a good vet up here who is VERY chin savvy. This guy is pretty passable. He did call our old vet back home in CA to consult, but after giving her the history, she seemed to think it was a lingering effect of whatever was causing the liver damage to my other chins this past year. Pearl ate some more pellets last night, but not enough to really sustain her yet. I'm still handfeeding.

 

[tunes]

Ugh - That's all I'm going to say, but you know it comes from the heart.

On an up note for you, the remaining three of the quads are doing well. Hand feeding two and they are growing like weeds. I'm becoming pretty attached the one violet boy Alecia. I dunno, he may disappear before you get your chins back.

 

[pita839]

Alecia, I'm sorry to hear about Pearl but I'm glad that she is starting to gain some weight back. I am having the same problem with my 2 yr old Chika. She started losing weight, so I took her to the vets. She ended up having her back teeth trimmed and that was last month. Her weight loss finally stopped but she hasn't started gaining back yet. I know what you were going thru. All a person can do is keep fighting for them because they depend on us to take care of them. Sending get well wishes for Pearl.

 

[Alecia]

Thanks guys. We did take x-rays and check out Pearl's teeth, but they're all fine. She's still eating pellets on her own today, and I'm hopeful. Pearl's always been a bit of a cow, so even now with the weight loss, she's not SKINNY, just a little lean.

Peggy - that's such great news!!! I really was wondering, but I was scared to ask... didn't think I could handle any more bad chin news! You need another violet boy like you need another white boy, LOL, but you're more than welcome to any baby, you know that.

 

[Brandon]

I am so sorry Alecia!

 

[Cinder and Me]

I hope she continues to get better, and gains back the weight she lost. Please keep us updated on Pearl, you both deserve a :hug4:

 

[jfleenor2]

I'm glad Pearl is eating at least alittle on her own. Hopefully it'll increase till back to normal. So the antibiotic is helping -- I guess perhaps a GI bacteria? Hope it leaves fast!