Laying in corner with head down

[UncleRico]

My chinchilla Vince, who is normally very energetic, has been remarkably inactive over the last day or so. He's laying in the back corner of his cage, not in the usual crouched sleeping position, but leaning forward with his head/chin flat on the bedding. I wouldn't describe him as lethargic at this point, because he walks around when I give him a little push or move him out of his spot, and he even jumped up to the next shelf when I offered him a treat. He is just moving much more slowly and is easier to catch than he normally is.

The strangest thing, though, is when he stops walking, he slowly lowers his head all the way to the ground, pretty much every time. Normally he'll just sit there in the normal crouched position and jump around if I make any movement. It doesn't look like he's twitching or anything like that. Just a very slow downward movement until he's lying flat.

This may or may not be related, but a few weeks ago I noticed that some of the fur on his underside near his tail was matted, and I wasn't sure why. I looked him over for cuts (he has one male cagemate) but didn't find any, so I concluded that it was probably just urine. Tonight the fur was still somewhat matted in the same spot.

I just did a hair ring check and found a very small bit of fur, which I easily removed, but no actual ring. He appears to be pooping normally, and I haven't noticed whether he's eaten any less. (It's hard to tell because the other chin is eating from the same bowl).

Does any of this sound like something that needs to be checked out? Or do you think he just needs to be monitored? I have to leave town for a week on Thursday and my roommates and family will be in charge of feeding the chins in that time, so I want to get all the info I can before I go. Thanks guys.

 

[Claire D]

I would get him to a vet ASAP. Your chinchilla sounds lethargic & a lethargic chin needs to be seen by a chinchilla competent vet for a full assessment.

 

[tunes]

I absolutely agree with Claire, especially since you are going out of town tomorrow. Get him to the vet ASAP.

 

[starleomach]

I agree he needs a vet or you may come home from your trip to a dead chinchilla.

 

[ticklechin]

Since chins hide illness well when it gets to the point of lethargy a emergency vet visit is needed ASAP.

 

[UncleRico]

Thanks y'all. Here is an update:

I took Vince to the vet this morning, and he was diagnosed with a bladder infection. The vet found a lump the size of a grape in his abdomen and kept him for testing for the afternoon. When I came back, the results of the blood test showed that he also has an acute kidney infection and was seriously dehydrated.

The vet prescribed subQ fluids, ciprofloxacin and Critical Care, and suggested some options for aggressive treatments including a 24-hour IV line. Even if I chose to do the most intensive procedures, which would cost between $600-$1,500, he said there is only a 20% chance Vince will survive.

He recommended that I take Vince home for the night and check on him in the morning. If he seems better, he can go back in for another test (a kidney panel) tomorrow afternoon and go from there. If not, I have to consider euthanasia. Very sad stuff. Especially considering I have to leave town tomorrow at 10am and have to leave him in the care of my girlfriend, my mom and my roommate -- all of whom are very capable of giving medicine and transporting him to appointments, but won't be able to notice changes in his behavior as well as I would.

Do you guys have any thoughts as far as things I should know or ask about? Thanks.

 

[greychins]

Well.... I'm usually the first one with the "hope for the best" attitude, but recommending that you take him home and check on him in the morning... I don't think a grape-sized lump, a kidney infection, and a bladder infection are just going to disappear overnight and he'll be fine. I'm sorry. But I just don't think it's likely.

They always get sick at the worst times, don't they?

Would it be possible to get a second opinion from another vet? Maybe just to see if there's a price difference or a higher percentage of a chance that Vince will survive?

I'm sorry, I really have no experience with this, but I wish you the best of luck!

 

[ticklechin]

Depends of your situation, I personally go full out with treatment on my chins if there IS a chance.

 

[chinnychinchinchilla]

i agree with dawn. give him the best chance possible. money can be replaced. a chinchilla cant

 

[UncleRico]

Trying not to get my hopes up too much, but we actually saw some pretty good improvement since the appointment. He was up and about and even ran on his wheel at full speed. This morning he was eating hay and drinking from his bottle. I know they're good at hiding illness so I realize he's probably not all better, but these were all good signs. I took him back in this AM to get more subQ fluids and a kidney panel test. I'm at the airport now so my mom will be getting him later this afternoon. Hoping for good news. Sorry if I leave y'all hanging, but heading out camping tonight so I might not have another update for a week. Thanks for your input.

 

[tunes]

i agree with dawn. give him the best chance possible. money can be replaced. a chinchilla cant

Nice sentiments in eutopia, but not in the real world. There's a point where you have to be realistic and realize that you're throwing money at a lost cause. I don't ever want to be a pet steward with the attitude that I will spend my last dime trying to fix the unfixable, to the detriment of the animal and my family. I will do the best I can, but no, money cannot always be replaced, just like houses can be lost when you fall behind trying to do what can't be done.

UncleRico - Good news! Glad to hear your chin is doing better. I hope that there will be continued improvement.

 

[ticklechin]

That is why I said depends on your situation and if there is a chance-to me 20% chance of recovery is not bad if you can afford treatment without breaking your bank. Also, if the chin recovers is it a full recovery or will there be any long term effects. This is all things that need to be discussed with your vet and your family. I have made mistakes in the past with overzealous treatment of lost causes, but those were chins who had no long term prognosis of getting well since the issues had no cure, and I just prolonged the inevitable which was death.

 

[Laurie]

Vince I recently went through this with my beloved cat, Sam. So I do know only too well the painful decision in having an animal put to sleep. Luckily for me I had several members who were familiar with this situation in a cat and told me the surgery would not make a happy life for him, so painfully but with love I chose to have him put to sleep to end his suffering.

I know it seems hard to place a price tag on something or someone you love so much, but sometimes, realistically, it does have to be done.

I'm glad your chin seems to be better--I hope he continues to do so. Just remember you have an understanding family here on the forum.