Help!!

[Amy's chins]

Hi was wondering if anyone can help me, I was told by vet that my little chin teecho has cancer and will eventually pass away anytime now, I am so sad and upset it so hard to take in however what I would like to know as I have another chin serge and they are so bonded however I'm not sure if they were just put together the moment I got them but they seem to have an amazing bond and if my little teecho passes serge will b alone and I'm worried he will be sad should I get another cage mate for him (another male) I just don't know what's for the best please help x

 

[chinsNdobermans]

Unfortunately there is no real "right" answer here.

Serge will likely miss Teecho's company but may not take to a different cage mate. I've had chins who can only be paired with one other specific chinchilla, otherwise they will attack them. It is often harder to introduce an older chinchilla than two young ones as well.

I think I would wait and see how Serge handles Teecho's passing. He may not need a companion if you're able to provide him with enough company. If he seems lonely, then another chin might help, but only if you're able to keep them caged separately for the foreseeable future if they don't get along.

 

[Newt]

Sorry to hear about Teecho

All of my girls have lived alone and did fine, although they never knew any differently, as they were always alone. I think Dee's advice sounds right: just wait to see how Serge manages.

Just curious though: have you gotten a second opinion about Teecho? Is your vet a good chin vet or exotic specialist?

So sorry you're going through this. Best wishes from me and Rosey xxxx

 

[lauralynne]

What a hard situation to be in. I'm sorry you have to face this.

Do you already have a cuddle buddy? If not, those sometimes help a lonely chin.

 

[Amy's chins]

Thank you so much for your help guys .. I really apprecaite it..this is the hardest thing ever as I have him home now until its time .. as he is still happy and bouncing everywhere but loosing weight rapidly he is eating and everything he's just like a fit and healthy chin but you can see his weight loss, the vet I have been going to had worked with chins for over ten year she seems to know things well I'm guessing, she showed me his X-rays from few weeks ago to now and you can see the big white mass in his lung she said she could do a biopsy but had he has had problems with his teeth (gum disease) she said it wouldn't b fair to put him through it and as she couldn't understand why the weight loss for a whole until she seem the X-rays she took again and said that's prob what it was as she couldn't see what else it could be.. As she said if it was a cyst he would be unwell etc but as he's fine and it was just weight loss she said its mor and likey that, just to bring him home keep him on the meta calm for his teeth (painkiller) and keep going back to get him checked but I could find he may pass through a night.. it's so hard as he's the little brave one the one that jumps in my arms n makes the first moves before serge will as serge likes to copy when he knows teechos safe haha, they are a fab pair and its really breaking my heart I don't think Iv ever cried as much and it hurts more to think when he passes how serge will feel.. thanks for your replies xxx

 

[Amy's chins]

Ps I don't have a cuddle buddy, where would I find one? That may help to put it in now to get them used to it xxx

 

[Newt]

It's good that you have a good vet. Sounds like she knows what she's talking about. Glad the little guy is on metacam; have you thought of supplemental feeding with critical care?

I think there are people on the forum who sell cuddle buddies *big hugs*

 

[Amy's chins]

He is eating that's the thing he's eating grass, dandilions, pellets hay and treats when given its just the vet said its the cancer that would be taking all the good nutrients away which causes the weight loss so I'm not sure if the critical care would work or be any different?? Oh do I just put a post on and ask someone if they do snuggle buddies? Ps I'm hopin she's a good vet I'm sure she is she loves teecho too n she has been so good with us as I'm never out the vets with his teeth etc and she knows how much I love him to the point she had to hug me yesterday when she told me.. so I'm trusting she knows best but I just wish I could be stronger as its tearing me apart looking at his wee face and watching him be so normal to think he is going to be taken away so early.. thank u for your help xxx

 

[carmen holt]

Etsy,com sells them too

 

[Jazicat]

Any round chinchilla safe pillow can be a cuddle buddy but I love the ones from ChinChic.

I'm so sorry that your baby is sick and am sending loving thoughts your way.

 

[Lynn & The Chins]

I had 2 bonded boys and Baby died suddenly and unexpectedly. Mr. Whiskers and I were both very depressed and mourned his death together.

He would just stay in his cuddle cup with his little head on his paws hanging over the edge. I sat there crying and petting him. After about a month, I decided to get him a kit, hoping that would make him feel better and like the "Big brother".

After quarantine, I was able to introduce them and they became bonded. They were both neutered (Whiskers and Baby were together and had to be neutered for fighting, but they were successfully rebonded. The Snuggler was also neutered because he started fighting with Mr. Whiskers.).

Mr. Whiskers and The Snuggler are both still happily together, but I remain forever vigilant for signs of trouble.

I anthropomorphize my chinchillas, so I always talk to them. I know they understand. Baby died in my arms, so I held him in the cage and let Whiskers smell his limp body. I told him that Baby was never going to come home again. I knew that I was taking him to the vet for an autopsy, because it was such a sudden death.

I agree...see how Serge does. Be sure to tell him what happened when Teecho dies. Let him smell the body and say his goodbyes as you are telling him that Teecho won't be coming home agin and why.

My heart goes out to you. This will be very difficult for you, Teecho and Serge.

 

[Amy's chins]

Thank you so much for all your help. I'm so sorry about baby I can only imagine how hard that must have been for u, I'm dreading it I'm sitting here in floods of tears just reading this.. I just don't want it to come to this I wish I could change it ill see how serge does then for a bit and get him a snuggle buddy, I would love to get him a cage mate as it would make me feel better but I know what can happen so ill just see how he is for a while. Thank u so much once again xxx

 

[Lynn & The Chins]

Sorry -- double post.

 

[Lynn & The Chins]

Thank you.

Since you have some advance warning, I would get the snuggle buddy now, so that it smells like Teecho when he's gone. They will both enjoy snuggling on it.

Annie's (Annieo on here, Chin Chic for her website) are nice. They are about the size of a small chinchilla and make a good pillow or snuggling toy.