not eating & trembling

[pbr87]

My girlfriend and I live with 2 chinchillas (named Cupcake and Meatball) that I bought for her this past christmas. We adopted them. They have both been pretty healthy, with the male being the friendlier, but also more energetic of the two. I found this forum last night while searching for information on the following problems:

Yesterday evening, he (Meatball) started acting uncoordinated (practically falling down when he tried to hop, stumbling while walking, etc). He would stop and then start twitching (not just his head like when he is scared of something, but the whole front part of his body. Then I noticed he stopped eating and his eyes began to look a little dim. This morning, there was a slight improvement, as he had half a dried cranberry, but I don't believe he has eaten again since then.

Yesterday afternoon, before he started acting strangely, he was on my shoulder and jumped off onto a hard floor, landing with a thud. He is used to softer, carpeted floors...I was wondering if this is what caused this behavior? What the potential injury is? And also wondering what I should do? The exotic pet veterinarian near where we live will not be back at work until monday.

 

[tunes]

Find another vet. It sounds as though he injured himself badly with the fall. He could have a concussion, nerve damage, a damaged spine. If you have to drive farther to the vet, then that's what you'll need to do.

 

[pbr87]

Find another vet. It sounds as though he injured himself badly with the fall. He could have a concussion, nerve damage, a damaged spine. If you have to drive farther to the vet, then that's what you'll need to do.

Thanks. I've been looking. A couple of vets have offered to take a look, but neither specializes in exotic pets. I think that's my only option for now.

 

[Jenn]

I agree with Tunes that he needs to see a vet right away, and if you wait too long you might lose him. Chins are usually really good at hiding illness and injury, and he seems to be pretty bad off. Please find him another vet who will see him asap, and please let update us on his progress. Good luck!

 

[mercynursie]

If you could post where you are located at, someone here may have a suggestion for chin vet in your area!

 

[pbr87]

If you could post where you are located at, someone here may have a suggestion for chin vet in your area!

Thank you. I called every animal hospital within a 90 minute radius. 3 have veterinarians who specialize in exotic pets. 2 of them are out of the office until next week. The third said that I could bring Meatball into their hospital tomorrow morning at 11:20. That's the best I could do for him. He made a slight improvement this afternoon, but his eyes are dim again and his breathing seems labored.

 

[Jenn]

I sure hope Meatball is able to hang on for you. Your description of hi condition scares me

 

[pbr87]

I sure hope Meatball is able to hang on for you. Your description of hi condition scares me

Thanks for your concern. He actually improved overnight. I think he may have had some combination between shock from his high jump and heat stroke. I noticed last night that his ears looked a little pinkish, and I pulled back some of his fur, revealing reddish skin that was hot to the touch. This next part is funny--I PUT HIM IN THE FRIDGE. In an empty drawer for a little while. When I took him out, he had perked up. He could walk fine and even run again, so I put him back in his cage. When I woke up this morning, he seemed back to his normal self; bright eyes, twitching whiskers, the occasional barking noise, etc.


I'm still keeping an eye on him to make sure he doesn't take a turn for the worse.