My Chinchilla's Paw :(

[jasonsoldout]

Hi,

This is my first time posting but I have been reading around for advice on how to care for this guy for a while. I have a chinchilla named Desi who's under a year old. He's very energetic, playful, and pretty darn adorable.

He can also be pretty mischievous, and last night I let him out and caught him rummaging through some things he shouldn't be. When I bent down to put everything back in place, he scattered off. My foot accidently kicked the rolling chair behind me, and when I turned around I heard Desi screech and run.

He left bloody paw prints.

Long story short, the bleeding stopped about a minute after that. I checked his paw and it doesn't seem to be broken but I think maybe his nail got crushed and that's where the blood came from?

I called the vet, but I was told it would cost about $185 ($85 for check up, $100 for x-ray) and that if anything else needed to be done, the bill would be closer to $250-300. (I live in NYC and there's only one major exotic pet vet here.)

Today, he's been acting pretty normal. Slightly more subdued because I think he's in pain, but he has been eating, drinking, and doing his business as well. He keeps his right paw (the hurt one) tucked up, but I have seen him use it to pick up and hold food which leads me to believe that it isn't broken.

In your opinion, would it be okay to wait a few days to see if he heals on his own, or should I bring him to the vet? It wouldn't be a question if I had the money, but I'm a college student who's a bit strapped for cash.

Please advise on what to do, and if there's anything first-aid advice you can provide.

I really appreciate it. Thank you!

 

[Carleigh]

Honestly, unless you have some super glider rolling chair, I doubt that it completely rolled over his foot. It usually takes some force just to get a rolling chair from the floor to those thin plastic mats for computer chairs. It probably just pinched his foot and damaged the nail. If his foot doesn't look disfigured, he doesn't cry if you touch/hold his foot (well, he might a little if his nail got crushed,) and he uses it, I wouldn't be too worried--yet, at least. Of course some other posters may say to take him to the vet just to be sure. I'd keep a close eye on him for a day or two and decide from there.