need advice while i wait..

[kimbt622]

My chin Liv is about 15 months old and hes a great boy, we've never had a health problem with him. Today though, I found a poop that was on the softer side and a little discolored which obviously worried me. Then I noticed him bending over to his butt so i tried to get what he was eating, which was a poop. he got a little bite out of it but again, it was softer and discolored again. I'm not entirely sure if it's diarrhea but it's definitely not healthy poops. it seems like everytime he poops now he tries to eat it before it comes out. i know they tend to eat their poop once in a while, but it worries me that its everytime today. i'm wondering if maybe he is feeling ill and trying to eat the poop so we can't see it, therefore hiding his illness from us. he was active when he was out for free run and now he is just resting, he also ate some timothy hay which i'm thinking is a good sign? I called the vet that is 15 minutes from us and the receptionist told me the exotic vet isn't in today, but she's going to call her and then have her call me. I'm waiting by the phone but i don't know what to do in the meantime! :hair: advice?

 

[Parkerspetchins]

Given the info you have provided I see no reason to go to the vet at this point. Eating poops is normal. Soft poop can happen on occasion for no obvious reason, stress, drank more water, etc. Unless your chin is lethargic, glassy eyed, or exhibiting other obvious signs of illness (weight loss, wheezing, etc...) then I would wait and see and treat for loose stool with acidophilous, mini wheat squares, and possibly pulling pellets depending on how loose the stool is. An unnecessary vet visit can be stressful in itself.

ETA: if the stool was covered in a mucous or was really foul smelling then I would at least get a sample of it to the vet, if it is just a little softer (which it sounds like) then I would not worry too much.

 

[Mt. Zion Chins]

I wouldn't worry while you wait. It is probably nothing anyway. Sometimes it happens - maybe he ate something you weren't aware of while he was on his free run. Just monitor him and see if it continues another day or gets softer. As for the eating of poop, sometimes they do it more than other times

 

[Dustbunnies]

Both my chins eat all their poo during the daytime but not at night. Daytime poos can look different and be softer, too.

 

[tunes]

Discolored in what way? Have you tried a different pellet? Tried some new hay? A different treat? Any of those things can cause a difference in the color of his stools.

I wouldn't rush off to the vet either. Give it a day or so and see what happens. If, as JM said, it gets mucous around it, or if it should get really squishy or wet, then that's something to deal with. Right now it's not a big deal.

Deep breaths!

 

[kimbt622]

okay everyone, thanks for the quick responses! the vet receptionist did call and said we can make an appointment for monday, but to keep an eye on him and if his poops improve by tomorrow to just cancel. hopefully it is nothing, i'll try to keep calm

 

[Ash]

If I remember correctly, the poops that chins eat are a little different than their "normal" poops anyway. And it is definitely normal for them to eat their poop, it's one of the ways they keep their gut healthy, as gross as that sounds.

 

[Essentia]

My chins started having light brown (I mean LIGHT) poop and for the life of me I couldn't figure out why. It happened for about a week. Today I put a new pumice stone in there and lo and behold it started gobbling it up. Not just chewing, but chewing and eating. Do you happen to give a pumice stone as a toy?

There are several reasons that could cause the poop to change, like the others stated. I would just keep an eye on it. As for the eating, my one chin constantly eats his poop. There is always some on his cage, but I swear, any time I see him he has a poop in hand.

 

[kimbt622]

My chins started having light brown (I mean LIGHT) poop and for the life of me I couldn't figure out why. It happened for about a week. Today I put a new pumice stone in there and lo and behold it started gobbling it up. Not just chewing, but chewing and eating. Do you happen to give a pumice stone as a toy?

i did try a pumice stone a few days ago and the next morning it was like in pieces! that could be why! i'm just keeping an eye on him hes very active as always, eating his hay and pellets like a good boy. if he continues for too long i'll take him to the vet but as of now i think he's okay! i'm never a paranoid mommy hhaa

 

[CJR]

If I remember correctly, the poops that chins eat are a little different than their "normal" poops anyway. And it is definitely normal for them to eat their poop, it's one of the ways they keep their gut healthy, as gross as that sounds.

Yeah, I read (either in a book or on a chin site) that the poops they eat are softer and mushier, and I think I read about them being a different color as well, but I am not sure on that.

 

[kimbt622]

whoops i meant to say i'm *just a paranoid mommy! i could say i'm never one but that would just be a total lie