Is my chin just getting old??

[regenderbogen]

I have a chin who will turn 8 in September. She has been getting rather lethargic and tired, doesn't get up and move around in the evenings when my other chins are, stays in her box, and when I get her out to play she hops around a little bit then just tries to lie down.

I got her from a breeder. As some history on her, she has broken an arm which had to be amputated 2-3 years ago. She recovered fully and adapted to hopping around on one arm just fine. She got bloat a year or so ago, which I took her to the vet for. It went away but ever since she'd been chewing the fur on her tail off and I don't know why. She has a healthy diet of pellets and hay, with the occasional oats here and there. She is very tame, lets me scratch her all over, lets me pick her up, and nibbles my fingers in return for my scratches. She doesn't have a cage mate (she gets adequate attention, believe me!).

I don't know if she's just getting old or if there's something wrong?? She was my first chin so my other two are much younger so I don't know what to expect from an aging chin. She is eating, drinking and pooping normally, and bathes in dust regularly. I've always gotten her out every night for play time but these last 3-4 months she has just not been herself.

Any suggestions or advice will be helpful. :c

 

[becky12883]

Chewing on her tail can be a sign of stress, boredom, pain, and I'm sure other things. Being lethargic isn't really a sign of aging, and 8 isn't really that old. My 11 year old has gotten more active in the last couple years even. I guess, with her missing a limb she might be putting additional stress on her other limbs and maybe developing arthritis or something? I would take her to the vet and get a full work up to rule out everything.

 

[ticklechin]

I had a 17 year old tripod who ran around like a fool until he passed, there is something wrong, its not normal for chins to do that as they age.

 

[Newt]

Has she lost any weight recently?

I agree that it might be time to get a full check up at the vet

 

[Riven]

I agree it should not be an age thing. I would look into something else going on there...