Help

[emtchickie72]

Been long time since I have been on here. I need some help..please.. I have 3 chins and for the past 3yrs we was told that our last one was a boy. Well today we noticed an odor and checked the cage and noticed 2 (stillborn) kits. We checked to see who they were from and it was Peechu (our last). Our vet even said he was a boy, so it was a shock. We cleaned up the cage and took our travel cage and put Peechu in it to give her some rest and time to heal up away from the 2 boys. She's done some cleaning but mostly sleeping. I read we need to keep her away from the boys for at least 10 days to keep from back breeding. I am fully open to any help with all of this.. we wasn't ready for a girl chin but welcome her and want to make sure she stays healthy. Thanks

 

[Basket_of_Chinchillas]

I would recommend keeping her separated from the boys permanently, unless you plan on having the boys neutered.

 

[Vyxxin]

I second that notion, honestly I'm surprised that the boys didn't fight badly while she was in heat. It could happen next time though. Get her a cage of her own, maybe a girlie cagemate.

On another note though, the smell you mention IS concerning. Even with stillborns I've never been able to tell by smell. Foul odor is generally associated with infection/decay. If they were really foul smelling you may want to take her to a vet to have her assessed. Likewise, if she starts acting lethargic or "off" it could be a sign of infection caused by the dead kits.

 

[emtchickie72]

I wondered the same with the infection. From the looks of the 2 kits they didn't look developed almost looked more like what our bunnies looked like small head and long bodies. We haven't had any fighting, actually the 3 of them get along so well that is what is weird that we didn't notice anything was up. Is it normal for them to be as old as she is we're guessing 4 yrs at least since we got her in Nov 2009 and was told she was already a year old. for them to wait this long to have babies ? This was one reason we mainly had boys was due to not wanting to really breed them. We raised rabbits and had enough of the breeding issues. She wasn't even acting strange before she had them no sounds no nothing. The cage is in our family room so we was sitting right in front of it when it all happened. Thanks

 

[Vyxxin]

Well, while it's not common for them to be that age when they first litter some chinchillas don't produce very often. It could also be a sign that she was previously pregnant and reabsorbed the kits. She could've had ongoing reproductive issues and because you thought she was a boy...you weren't on the lookout for them. For instance, if you KNEW she was a girl you'd be expecting pregnancy...you'd be monitoring weight and noticing plumpness as a possible sign. You'd be more vigilant. Because she has been with the boys for years, as I said, this may not have been her first pregnancy...then again, it might have. If the babies really smelled badly I would have her checked by a knowledgeable vet. The one who sexed her as a male...probably not your best choice

 

[emtchickie72]

Thanks.. She is doing wonderful today and the odor is gone. She's cleaned herself up, eating and drinking. Yes, I found another exotic vet to take her to. Thanks again for the help

 

[Cuddlebug]

I agree with permanently separating them. If you were not planning on breeding, then why put them together again, she will just continue to get pregnant over and over and you males could end up fighting over her.

 

[Zoaea]

Chins also do fine solo, or you could always get her a female friend later on if you felt the need. hope she is healthy and doesn't have a complication.

 

[emtchickie72]

Zoaea, we got her own cage and plan on keeping her in there. She is right beside the cage with the boys and is doing great So far she is doing great still eating and drinking and very alert. Don't think we'll take the chance of her getting pregnant I don't want to risk losing her just for a chance of a little one. Thanks again everyone for the help.