Poop (what else?!?)

[caiti]

It's a famous subject. We've all discussed it many times, to a detailed extent. Yet, somehow I am still baffled by its mysteries...

My chin had diarrhea the beginning of june. I honestly can't remember what her poo looked like when I first got her so I can't really compare it. I've been so focused on her poo and inundated with pictures, descriptions that I've lost perspective!!

I read what Peggy wrote in a recent post "if it'a not squishy, wet or black etc you're ok" (paraphrasing here).

My chin's poo is pretty much black. Every rodent I've owned has had the same color poo--black. Or really dark brown, whatever you want to call it. It's more brown when it's been out for a bit. I don't think the color has changed since I got her about 5 months ago.

And her poo is slightly moist. It's firmed up since her diarrhea, I know, but it still has some moisture. And sort of soft, but I'm not sure what's normal. It is crumbly soft and almost seems hollow (like someone posted on aforementioned thread) maybe? All I hear is that poos are supposed to be dry and hard but jeez, that would be like passing a kidney stone, right? Is there some leeway there? I'm utterly confused.

Other than that she's fabulous. Her teeth are not as orange as I may prefer, maybe I'll buy some alfalfa tomorrow on my way home. And I've pretty much decided her mouth swiping is probably just an extension of a nose swipe since she's chewing more than ever and will put any and every thing in her mouth and destroy it (plus, no other symptoms). She's slowly gaining weight, also and acts like the crazy chins everyone describes here.

I'm the type of person that needs thing to be crystal clear, so I apologize if my posts are annoying.

I just feel like I've never owned a species of animal so fragile and vulnerable. It makes me very very nervous. I think I just have to gain some ground and become comfortable with what is normal behaviour and such.

I honestly don't know what I would do without you people. Well, I'd probably freak out even more and call my vet about every day...anyways--thank you. Here's a pic of her I dug up today...just cause.

 

[Directorthiang]

All of the chinchillas I've owned have had poop that was very dark brown that slowly "dries" to a lighter brown. They are not hard when they first come out, but squishy like clay. When I squish them, they don't crumble apart or get flaky--they hold together, just flatten. Size/length varies depending on the time of day, but is usually as long as the tip of my pinky finger.

When my guys have had bouts of Giardia, I've noticed that their poop didn't really change color (it was always very dark, almost black, on first appearance), but it did have a thicker slime on it and sometimes had mucous bubbles. When they have had diarrhea, their poop became squishy in a wet, spongy way, like squishing soggy sponge cake instead of clay. And when they've had constipation, they size of the poop is nearly cut in half, usually appears more like a ball than an oval grain of rice, and is lighter in color and hard; I squeeze it and it crumbles in half or doesn't smoosh at all.

Hope that helps in some way.

 

[mishellyshel]

I also think that not every poop is the same all day and not every chin has the same shape.
Cleaning the cages of 10 chins has made me realize and accept this. I also know if I add or change anything to their diet it may affect the shape & consistancy of some but not others.

Having a forum to discuss things is great but in the beginning just like those late night commercials for medication.........you think your chin has every ailment possible.
Like you said, you need to get comfortable with owning a chin. And as long as you are feeding good quality pellet, lots of hay and fresh filtered water and preferably wood for chewing you chin will be fine. Its when you start adding all the other stuff that issues can arise.