Odd Weight Loss

[ChinMommyFL]

ChinMommy here-

DJ is on day 3 of his treatment. He is taking the Reglan and Gas drops like a champion. Cisapride, not so much. His chin is green from getting more on him then actually in his mouth. I really wish my vet would've compounded it for me at the office-I've been dissolving the powder in the capsule with water. He absolutely hates it. :vomit: When my boss comes in later, I will ask his advice (I work at a small animal companion vet's office.)

Good news is-I ran a Giardia snap test on him, and the result was negative. Bad news is-he is starting to lose weight again :cry3: He is now down to 491g. I gave him his SQ fluids this morning with the help of a vet asst (I'm a tech) and he pooped some during this, so that made me glad to see he has some motility, just wish it was more.

I am still feeding him Critical care, about 25cc per day in 3 feedings. I just really wish I knew what the cause is.

 

[ChinMommyFL]

ChinMommy with an update (Chindaddy is out of town):

Good news is-DJ has Giardia. Bad news is-DJ has Giardia. yay?

I say good because this gives us a cause for the Stasis, I assume. Bad because-well, it's Giardia, and chances are, my other 2 chins and possibly the cat have it as well.

We started DJ on Metronidazole twice a day. In everyone else's experience who has dealt with this, do you recommend we continue treating the stasis as well? I have emailed our vet and asked her the same, but it never hurts to ask, you know?

DJ is defecating (finally.) Not as much as I'd like, but he's going, so that's good. He is eating some of his hay and pellets on his own (I had been force feeding him Critical care.) Overall, he seems to be feeling better. Now I just need to test my other 2 chinnies and maybe start them on Metronidazole as well depending on the results. The fun part is going to be cleaning the cage. :wacko:

Thanks to everyone who gave us their advice.

 

[ChinMommyFL]

Update-

DJ is doing much better. He is eating a little on his own, and I no longer need to force feed him Critical care. He absolutely hates the sight of any syringe now.

The vet suggested discontinuing all of his meds and just giving him the Simethicone gas drops as needed. She also suggested offering watered down greens, but I don't know if that's a good idea, since I have read many times that offering fruits and veggies can lead to bloat, and this is something we obviously want to avoid.

So my question is, what greens are ok to give chinchillas? Is spinach OK? how about Romaine lettuce?

 

[Parkerspetchins]

If you discontinue meds what will treat the Giardia?

Given that DJ has had such a rough time with bloat I would not introduce anything into his diet that may make it worse. I would stick to pellets, hay, and water and nothing else. If he is not eating enough I would continue with the Critical Care and add some Lifeline (www.chocolatechinchillas.com) to it or feed separately. Fuzzies Kingdom (banner at top of site) may have an herbal recommendation for you as well.

I am glad he is doing better! I hope he continues to improve ).

 

[ChinMommyFL]

If you discontinue meds what will treat the Giardia?

Parker, my judgement is telling me to continue with his meds for at least 2 more days. This way, he will have been on Flagyl for 5 days, and the Cisapride for a week. The gas drops I will do as needed. I work at a vet's office myself (mainly dogs/cats,) and I know that when a dog is treated with Flagyl, it's for a minimum of 5 days. I feel 2 days of Flagyl for DJ is too little.

Also, I don't think I will be offering the veggies, since from what I read it can do more harm than good. I would think that's more of a rabbit thing to do.

Next time I have to take my herd to the vet, I am going to urge that I see my usual vet, and not the one who is treating this case. Although a nice lady, I'm not too impressed to be honest. The vet we saw this time dismissed the idea of Giardia causing the stasis, and I am still not too sure why Reglan was prescribed. Reglan is usually for nausea, and I'm not too sure if chinchillas can be nauseous, since chins can't vomit, you know? I mean, I do think the Propulsid, gas drops and fluids was a good idea, so she did seem somewhat knowledgeable, but the fact that she just decided to abruptly stop his treatment is making me have second thoughts.