Possible Limp Chinchilla Paw

[calista381]

Hi there! Well, to state the obvious I"m a new chinchilla owner- I got my little Pookie as an Xmas present, he's only 3 months old. I've been doing research on chinchillas forever and continue to do so and I have to admit I've been really lucky with him so far- been able to play with him and let him have free play and have even trained him to return back to his cage when play time's over. But, last night he slept almost the whole night which I thought was weird, but brushed it off as maybe he was tired because until today he hadn't been sleeping at all consistently during the day. I let him out at his usual playtime in his usual chinchilla proof space and noticed that he was dragging his front right paw and not putting any pressure on it when he hopped around. He's eating/playing/running around/drinking/jumping fine otherwise. No barking or squealing, not even when I touch the paw. He has a metal wheel but the spokes are tiny tiny and not big enough for any of him to get caught it. Only difference in behavior has been that he's sleeping much more. Help! I don't know what to do and I feel horrible.

 

[addictedtochins]

We can not diagnose a broken paw/arm over the internet. Those inexpensive wheels can cause these types of injuries. Take it out because of his injury and keep it out because it's not safe. Save up and when he's better get a chin spin or flying saucer (not plastic ones) Keep him quiet and put him in a small chin safe carrier. One he can't chew or escape from. If he's not better by morning he needs to be seen by a vet Fri. You should make an appt. tonight and just cancel if he's better. I wouldn't want you to have to find an emergency vet on the evening or weekend if it can be helped.

 

[EMSChins]

BTW - chinchillas should not have any type of wheel at all or free play time until at least 6 months of age. They need those calories to grow.

If your chinchilla is limping or not using the paw he needs to be seen by an exotics qualified vet, chinchillas are prey animals and they disguise pain and injury very well. If he is hurt and in pain, he can go off of his feed which can lead to even more serious issues.

 

[calista381]

Possible limp Chinchilla Paw

Thank you for the advice, I did take his wheel out already and have a vet appt set up for tomorrow. I originally bought him the wheel because he was throwing severe tantrums when he went back in his cage after playtime and would constantly throw his food bowl or push it over and he even managed to unhinge his hay container and spill that everywhere as well and I was worried he'd never eat that way. So I thought he was bored and in fact since the wheel he hasn't done that. The other chinchilla owners that I consulted never told me to wait until he was older, all they told me was to buy a wheel that wasn't plastic and didnt have big spokes, which is what I did. I feel really horrible. If you can give me advice on what type of wheel specifically to get that would be great. But of course I'll wait til hes a bit older. Thank you so much.

 

[ticklechin]

If the paw is broken, and the vet recommends trying to repair it, amputation although it sounds radical is a better choice. Lots of tripod chins out there that do just fine and they heal faster.

 

[Claire D]

What is the update on this chin please?

 

[EMSChins]

. If you can give me advice on what type of wheel specifically to get that would be great. But of course I'll wait til hes a bit older. Thank you so much.

The most recommended wheels for chins are the Chin Spin:http://qualitycage.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1802

The flying saucer: http://qualitycage.com/index.php?ma...search_in_description=1&keyword=flying+saucer

Or the Silver Surfer: http://www.chinchillas.com/estore/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=63

They are more expensive than what you can find in a pet store but outlast what is available in a pet store and are safe and appropriate for your chinchilla. Thus save you unnecessary vet bills for injuries.

 

[Kansas City Chinchillas]

If the paw is broken, and the vet recommends trying to repair it, amputation although it sounds radical is a better choice. Lots of tripod chins out there that do just fine and they heal faster.

I agree with ticklechin. Chins don't do well in a cast and often end up injuring themselves more. Normally it takes longer to heal than amputation.

 

[calista381]

Possibile Limp Chinchilla paw

Hi all, thank you so much for the advice. Pookie seems in good spirits but he does have a doctor's appt for later today, as he hasn't started putting pressure on his paw. He started using it to eat and hold food but not for walking, which makes me think that maybe it isn't broken. I've put him into his smaller travel case to restrict his movement so he doesn't hurt himself further. I'm really frustrated, maybe I'm suffering from new-parent phobia but it really upsets me that this happened because I don't take Pookie's care lightly and have been trying to do everything right at the right time to avoid stuff like this. In any case, when the vet lets me know something more you guys will be the first to know. Thank you so much again for the advice, especially on the wheels. WHne the time's right I will invest in a chin spin.

 

[EMSChins]

The behavior that you talked about when you put him back into his cage after playtime is normal for young chinchillas. When they are young is it normal for them to go through a "terrible teenage phase". For some this lasts a couple of months for others up to a year. If you give into him when he throws a tantrum you are only re-inforcing that behavior. If he is throwing his food dish around, you can try to find a metal "coop cup" that attaches to the side of the cage. Many chins re-arrange their cages on a daily basis, it is a part of who they are. If he is biting on his cage bars, just ignore it or hang some interesting toy in the area where he is biting to divert his attention. Good luck and hope that nothing is broken.

 

[Jaina_Organasolo]

It could be a sprain. One of my chins suddenly got a limp swollen paw and was diagnosed by a vet. Some rest and painkillers fixed him up.

 

[calista381]

Possible limp Chinchilla Paw

Hi all- Just a Pookie update. Took him to the vet and the vet said it was only swollen, but didnt seem sprained and wasnt broken. So I just have to restrict his movement and give him an anti-inflammatory medicine for a week and hope it goes back to normal. So I feel much better about it, and we just have to wait a week and see. However, the vet did tell me that the "integrity" of his front left paw (the swollen one) was not as good as the front right paw. I'm assuming this means it might have been weaker from the start? Or that he has some sort of birth defect? Has anyone encountered this problem? Is this even possible?