Pneumonia

[JoshyAngel]

Hello,

Apologies, this is my first post here. Until a few weeks ago I had 4 chinchillas. I have had them all for 7 years, they have had a couple of injures, mainly from one of them biting but they have always been happy and healthy.

To cut a long story short Josh was very lethargic and not eating. I took him to my vet 4 times, they eventually referred me to a specialist but sadly it was too late, he had a problem with his lungs, they were either compacted due to a long running pneumonia or he had a tumour, the xrays weren't clear.

I took my 3 remaining chinchillas to the vet, Miffy had an upper tract infection and the other two were all clear. I wasn't given anything for Miffy.

Last Sunday I went in to them and Lilly sneezed, a really mucus sneeze. I decided to bypass my vet and go to the specialist directly. So, poor Lilly has pneumonia and is on two lots of antibiotics twice a day. Miffy has antibiotics twice a day and metacam once a day. It's a bit touch and go. They are off their food so I am having to force critical care down them which stresses them.

I went in this morning to see them Charley the final chin had red ears, it was only 12.8 degrees in there so no reason for red ears. I am now thinking she has caught whatever all the others have and the red ears is a sign of fever?

Does anyone have any experience of this in terms of an illness swiping out a whole group of chinchillas, I am so worried I am going to lose them all.

Any advice would be gratefully received I am trying my best but way out of my depth.

Thanks,

Michelle

 

[Godins Chinchillas]

Upper respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia can definately wipe out a herd very quickly. I'm a little dumbfounded on why they didn't put Miffy on antibiotics when he/she was first diagnosed with URI. I would get Charley in to be seen as soon as.

 

[JoshyAngel]

Upper respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia can definately wipe out a herd very quickly. I'm a little dumbfounded on why they didn't put Miffy on antibiotics when he/she was first diagnosed with URI. I would get Charley in to be seen as soon as.

I thought it was odd myself, that's why I took him to the specialist, but she put him on Metacam, the only reason he has Baytril too was I decided to give it him so the vet said to continue for a week.

The next problem of course is they are not eating Miffy has tiny poo's and keep stretching out, from what I have read this is now bloat and I have to give him Infacol. The exotic vet doesnt work weekends so I have to wait to speak to her and do my best in the meantime.

Stressed!!!

 

[Newt]

If they are not eating then you'll need to get some Critical Care and syringe feed. They need around 100ml a day to maintain weight.

Hope it's not bloat
Is there not another vet you can drive to? It's best not to wait around with these issues...

 

[JoshyAngel]

There are only two chinchilla specialists in England according to my vet, I have an appointment tomorrow with one of them but they can't see us before then.

I have been giving them critical care for 5 days but the specialist said 10ml a day for each chinchilla, is that not right? Even getting 10ml down them is a battle, 100ml would be almost impossible!

They are now poo'ing but not a lot. I think they are stressed because I have to keep catching them so much to give them all the medicine, they are used to being left alone. They come out to play and sit on me but I rarely handle them because they don't like it - it's all on their terms!