occasional seizures ?

[pufflestoose]

My beige chin sometimes has a seizure that lasts around 2-3 min. He usually has one every other 2-4 weeks. But the last one he had was really bad, should I take him to the vet?

 

[AZChins]

It could be epilepsy. What are the seizures like? Does the chin go completely limp or fall down or move almost like he's drunk? It wouldn't hurt to take him to the vet to have him checked over. You may need to take precautions to keep the chin from falling and getting hurt should he have a seizure up on a shelf or ledge.

 

[pufflestoose]

Ok thx! He moves around the cage shivering and moving around like he's drunk.

 

[AZChins]

How old is he? Does it happen right after you have him out for playtime?

 

[ticklechin]

This is a short article I wrote awhile back on seizures- causes and symptoms.



Calcium seizure symptoms-tonic rigid bowed body with the nose curled towards the tail.

Low thiamine seizures-You will see trembling and paralysis, circling and then seizure activity. The main symptoms are the tremors, staggering, shakes, twitching types.

Low blood sugar seizure-The main symptom of this type of seizure is when the chin has been active and then collapses with mild shakes. The collapse and mild shakes are sudden and then the chin is limp.


Toxic seizures can be due to lead poisoning, mercury poisoning, carbon monoxide, or toxic fumes from just about any toxic-type, volatile substance. These seizures are violent and long lasting.


Mycotoxins and Aflatoxins from moldy hay or feed also can cause seizures due to liver damage. Those seizures look like the staggering seizures of low thiamine.


Heat stroke and head trauma also cause violent seizures.

Herpes simplex 1 will cause constant seizures then death.

The unknown cause type, called idiopathic, these type are from no known cause and are considered epilepsy type seizures. The problem is due to electrical activity across the cortex of the brain. It causes rigid posturing and spasms usually of the feet and mouth. The chinchilla is usually groggy afterwards. There is no known cause and no cure. You need to really get to know and trust your vet if you have one of these since treatment requires daily meds such as phenobarbital and oral valium during seizures. Euthanasia IMO may be the humane thing to do if the seizures are frequent and not being maintained by meds. One level cages with low perches are also recommended.
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[pufflestoose]

It sounds most like he's having seizures from low thymine, but he's also groggy.

he's around 7 months old.

 

[pufflestoose]

It usually happens after I hold him for a little.

 

[AZChins]

It could be low blood sugar. That makes younger chins act that way sometimes. You may need to cut down on his playtime for a few months. Do you have to chase him around the cage to catch him so you can hold him?

 

[pufflestoose]

I know I should but I actually don't have time to take him out for playtime, but I'm saving up money for a playpen. I never actually get to hold him during the day because then I'd up chasing him around the cage. So I only hold him in the morning and night when he jumps on me.

 

[Zoaea]

In humans I know most seizures leave the person tired or groggy so dont pick a 'type' based on that. ^_^

Meanwhile Id make sure he has nothing higher off the floor than 6 inches as if he seizes near an edge he can fall and take great damage. If you are giving him any treats or weird food I'd stop that incase its causing or making it worse too (no pellet mixes or hay with treats that come in the bag)

edit: as you described it as a partial seizure, it might be worth it to youtube chinchilla popcorning if you aren't familiar with that.