Possible Tooth Problem

[Mav_rick]

For the past couple of days I've been noticing that Lucy hasn't been eating normal. She still eats her food, but cannot bite down with her front teeth (or that's how it looks). When I try to give her a treat, she will taste and lick it and then throw it down, unless we break it into small pieces, then she will eat it. I've noticed she hasn't touched her hay, but still eats her pellets(Mazuri brand)and she still acts normal. Her eyes are bright and clear and when she comes out for play time she bounces around.

I haven't noticed any drooling to go along with the tooth problem, so I'm not exactly sure what else could be going on. I have noticed a decrease in the amount of poops, and the ones that she does pop out seem to be semi dry so I've been using a syringe to get water/cranberry juice down her to make sure she is getting enough fluids until I can get her into to see the vet. She has the Edstrom's Water Buddy type water bottle where she has to use her teeth to make the water come out, so I don't think shes getting sufficient water if she does have a tooth problem - hence the hand feeding. I've also tried to give her yogurt just in case she might be a little constipated, but she doesn't seem to enjoy it all that much. I'm going to go tonight to pick up a ball water bottle and some pedialyte and see if that doesn't help for the time being.

Does anyone think that this sounds like a tooth problem or something else? She has an apt to see the vet on Thursday.

Thanks!
Shannon

 

[Parkerspetchins]

Sounds like a tooth issue to me. Perhaps her front teeth are overgrown? She would be using her molars for the pellets so she might be stuffing them farther back into her mouth. Best wishes for her! Let us know what the vet says.

 

[ticklechin]

I would not feed yogurt, it does not do a chinchillas digestive system good. Take a look at her front teeth, do they look like the picture in this link?

http://images.google.com/imgres?img...&start=105&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&ndsp=21&tbs=isch:1

 

[Mav_rick]

@ticklechin yes her teeth look like the pic you posted. I tried to do a more thorough search today and her teeth look like they are supposed to, but I'm not sure, she might have a deeper issue. She has been pawing at her mouth so that's my best bet. Maybe she has something stuck in between...

I hadn't heard that about the yogurt...I've read that the flora is good for their digestive system, but I haven't given her anymore since she doesn't seem to like it, she is one picky little chin lol. I have noticed more poops today and they seem normal and moist, so that is a good sign. I just feel bad for my poor little baby...I just wish she could talk and tell me whats wrong.

I will keep you posted on her progress!

Thanks!

 

[tunes]

If you want to give her something for her tummy, just use Acidophilus. You can sprinkle it on her food or on a bite sized shredded wheat. You can also buy Lifeline at chocolatechinchillas.com, which has acidophilus in it and is a wonderful supplement.

 

[Mav_rick]

Thanks...I will get her the lifeline tonight

 

[aznmexaggie]

I know some vets have recommended yogurt for chinchillas because it contains probiotics but it is much safer to just give plain acidophilus. When you give yogurt, you are also giving milk proteins and lactose which chinchillas cannot digest (nearly all mammals stop producing the lactase enzyme to digest milk products after being weaned).

 

[Mav_rick]

Ordered the lifeline, and she has her vet apt today...so hopefully he can see what is going on. She's still eating like a little piggie, and I don't have to wrap her up to give her water/cranberry juice, she willing takes it out of the syringe so that's good. But she still can't use her front teeth and paws at them when she tries to chew :-/

Thanks Aznmexaggie, that's good to know

 

[Mav_rick]

So an update on Lucy...

She has a mild infection, but the vet wasn't sure from where, and she has some gas build-up, and he said her gut didn't sound as active as he would like it (which could also be from the lack of eating all that much). He took x-rays of her body and skull and everything looked really good. He did say that her teeth were a little over grown, but nothing to really be worried about. They did file them down while I was there and took a stool sample which came back normal. So now all I have to do is give her antibiotics for 2 weeks and meds for her tummy and pain meds for her teeth and hopefully it will be a full recovery!

I do have to say that the Animal House of Chicago is one of the best Vets I've been to. They were all very knowledgeable about chins and just overall VERY friendly towards me and Lucy. They also couldn't believe how well behaved my little girl was Gotta be a proud mommy about that She was even eating after she got her teeth filed down lol Linda (Lucy's nurse) couldn't believe it!

 

[ticklechin]

What antibiotic did they give? If it is baytril you will need to give the acidophilus still, every 4 hours after the dose, Good news she is eating some!

 

[Mav_rick]

They put her on Reglan, Metacam and Septra. I also just received the lifeline today.