New/Old Issue with Usagi

[Godins Chinchillas]

Hey everyone,

Just an update and question. Usagi's wound is 99.5% healed. There is a tiny scab and that is it.

You know how I mentioned she chewed off her cone and wasn't sure what her urinary status was going to be. Well we found the urethra. It now lies on the side of her genitals causing her to pee sideways getting her fur from her mid abdomen and along her side to be constantly urine soaked. I have clipped quite a bit of her fur to try to keep her skin from scalding but needless to say she cannot live like this. Hubby and I are talking about reconstructive surgery when she is stronger and has gained some weight back. I have talked to Dr. Keffer and she has mentioned doing a PU surgery. Basically you insert a catheter into the urethra and then move everything....but good luck trying to pass a catheter.

From a breeder/rancher point of view the economical thing would to euthanize her. However, the cost of surgery would be literally $25. I just have to pay for anesthesia. It's such a risky surgery though and we are unsure what the outcome would be.

What would you do?

Jessica

 

[alli713]

Aw poor girl! I know from a breeding point of view, she is no longer of any use to you, but perhaps if she can get the surgery she would be able to go to a pet home and be spoiled?
I don't know much about the surgery, so do you think she'd have a good life if the surgery was successful? If so, I say why not at least try it since it isn't expensive. Or if you think she'd be in a lot of pain, then I don't know that I would put her through that? But it seems like she's a fighter since she's made it this far..

 

[Cory]

For me personally, you have invested so much time in her and she has pulled through that I think it's worth a shot. If you were going to take the ranching approach she would have been euthanized a month ago but I know you have invested a lot of time and care to help her try to get through this and have a decent quality of life. It would seem like an awful waste for her to go through the past month feeling not so great only to be put down now.

 

[addictedtochins]

It's done on babies, but I can't remember what it's called. Sometimes on a babies penis the opening is on the side. Maybe someone here knows what that is called and you can search for results. There is probably very little data on that for chins. I hope you give the girl a chance. In the meantime their are products for people who are at risk from skin irritation from body fluids, such as those with colestomy bags, IDK maybe that can help?

 

[starleomach]

sometimes a breeding/Ranching point of view isn't feesable. She has the will to live I say try it.

 

[tunes]

If it was the average person doing it? I would probably say no. I can't even imagine the expense of the surgery, but more importantly, the aftercare given by an inexperienced person with limited means would really worry me. In your case, however, your husband is a vet and you have unlimited access to supplies and help. If you guys have a chance of giving her a good quality of life after - by all means, go for it.

The other thing is, and I know it will sound cruel, but everyone yammers about needing more research on chinchillas and experience with surgeries, etc. You can't get that experience without treating animals who need something done. Even if it should not work on your girl (and I will pray that it does) it may be a valuable learning tool for the next chin that desperately needs this type of procedure.

 

[FiaSpice]

The other thing is, and I know it will sound cruel, but everyone yammers about needing more research on chinchillas and experience with surgeries, etc. You can't get that experience without treating animals who need something done. Even if it should not work on your girl (and I will pray that it does) it may be a valuable learning tool for the next chin that desperately needs this type of procedure.

I don't find it cruel, I was also thinking about that. If no one try this operation at least once, how can they get better at doing it.

 

[Mt. Zion Chins]

I agree with Tunes and Fiaspice - and it doens't sound cruel to me either. We have to learn somehow. If it helps this chin wonderful and if, unfortunately, not (you tried) and maybe something will be learned. Go for it