Is my chin dying?

[ChinchillaSlippers]

One of my two chins, about 30 minutes ago, exhibited some really odd behavior. At current I have him lightly wrapped in a towel in my hand. This is also odd behavior for him.
I heard the cage rattling and looked over to see what I can only describe as a seizure (but googling chinchilla seizures, does not seem to match with a description of what is usually seen.) He was not making any of his own noises but my chins are generally quiet ones anyway. He was almost lunging his body in place, picture on all four paws (if I saw this in a human I would think belly or chest pain?) with his left side twitching a bit as well. This went on for several minutes and then he just stopped and sat there.
These chins were given to me by someone who thought them a novelty. I do not know their age but I suspect older (I have had for two years myself.) They were never really handled at all before me and still do not prefer it. The fact that he didn't resist me picking him up and holding him at all is significant. I thought some of my body warmth might help him.
The last 20 minutes he has sat in my lap in a towel, just snuggled in. Breathing was very low, but I was able to keep stimulating him back up to normal. He very slowly perked up, but still remained happily in my lap looking around. I gave him a treat but he only took a few nibbles. He started to get more active so I brought him back to his cage, he happily climbed in and walked around.
As I placed him in the cage I noticed his hair has really lightened in color. You know when they fur slip, the shorter denser hairs are lighter than the top? Almost his whole body looks like that. He was a dark dark grey/light black chin, now he looks more like gray and white mottled creature. No, none of his fur slipped, but it is almost like he shed all his long outer furs!
Poop has been normal, eating normal.
I was able to flip him over, no hair rings.
Our home is ideal chin temperature.
They have had no stressing incidents, injuries, falls, etc. I checked his body for anything I could have missed.
Over the last few months both chins have been a bit less active. Nothing I consider worrisome, but would prefer to mostly snuggle up together in their house. Over the last month or so I notice them getting a bit cranky with each other. They've never been violent, but occasionally quarrelsome and one will choose to walk off and sleep in a different corner kind of thing.
We do not spray or burn anything toxic, I use "natural" cleaners in my home and not by the chins.
They rarely come out of their cage, since they were never accustomed to being handled, they don't like being hunted down in the living room in order to be put back in the cage (saves us both stress) but means they didn't eat anything they shouldn't have.
No houseplants near their cage.

Thoughts? Our only local vet that accepts chinchillas at ALL is not a chin specialist. I brought this chin once there in the past for an eye condition, which was then cured, but the vet certainly was not very familiar with these pets. Besides for an obvious injury, I don't believe our vet could be very useful.

 

[BooBoo*TheKiddo*]

If you are consider that the chin may be dying I'd take it to the vet. If you vet isn't familiar with them as pets, you need a new vet.

The chin is now eating, drinking, pooping, etc... normally?

 

[ticklechin]

The description does not match the usual symptoms of seizures, not that it can't be but heart issues can mimic the look of a seizure, so that is something to consider. Has there been a gradual decline in energy levels or attitude? I agree, whatever it is I really needs to be diagnosed, if not to be treated, at least to know what to expect.


This is a short article I wrote awhile back on seizures- causes and symptoms.



Calcium seizure symptoms-tonic rigid bowed body with the nose curled towards the tail.

Low thiamine seizures-You will see trembling and paralysis, circling and then seizure activity. The main symptoms are the tremors, staggering, shakes, twitching types.

Low blood sugar seizure-The main symptom of this type of seizure is when the chin has been active and then collapses with mild shakes. The collapse and mild shakes are sudden and then the chin is limp.


Toxic seizures can be due to lead poisoning, mercury poisoning, carbon monoxide, or toxic fumes from just about any toxic-type, volatile substance. These seizures are violent and long lasting.


Mycotoxins and Aflatoxins from moldy hay or feed also can cause seizures due to liver damage. Those seizures look like the staggering seizures of low thiamine.


Heat stroke and head trauma also cause violent seizures.

Herpes simplex 1 will cause constant seizures then death.

The unknown cause type, called idiopathic, these type are from no known cause and are considered epilepsy type seizures. The problem is due to electrical activity across the cortex of the brain. It causes rigid posturing and spasms usually of the feet and mouth. The chinchilla is usually groggy afterwards. There is no known cause and no cure. You need to really get to know and trust your vet if you have one of these since treatment requires daily meds such as phenobarbital and oral valium during seizures. Euthanasia IMO may be the humane thing to do if the seizures are frequent and not being maintained by meds. One level cages with low perches are also recommended.
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