Scab/Blood in Cage

[EnslavedByNinjas]

I just noticed a few things when letting Nibbler out a few moments ago -

1. Blood/Scab on the top of the ear. This seemed dry. It did not appear to bother him.

2. Bumps on the ears, a few on each ear. This aren't really discolored and are rather round, 1/16" in size. Looks almost like chinchilla pimples.

3. Blood in the cage. There was roughly a front paw sized, square shaped dab of blood on one of the ledges in the cage. This is about 6" from the cage edge bordering Turbo's cage. They are spaced about an inch.

4. Poo is rather small. It seems it's gotten smaller the last day or two. Not too bad at the moment but worrisome with everything else.

Any advice on what steps to take would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Essentia]

It seems that possibly Turbo got ahold on an ear through the bars. What is the bar spacing on the cages? You would be amazed to see just how small noses can squish to get to another chinnie. You can get some Blue Kote from the feed store (though call and ask before you go over to make sure they have it). Just dab a bit on the wound to keep infection at bay. WARNING: Blue Kote stains, so you will have a blue eared chinnie for some time. I would just put a bit on a Q-tip for the actual application.

Because it's his ear and he can't reach it to eat it, if you can't find Blue Kote you can also use a small dab of neosporin. Just make sure it's a location that he can't get to. If he eats it, it will kill off his gut flora.

As for the bumps I am really not sure...Hopefully someone else may come along with more chinnie bump knowledge.

 

[EnslavedByNinjas]

An update and some more information -

The ear does seem to be bothering him. He keeps it folded back, and has been rather less active. He hops on his wheel that he loves so much, but has been more or less just taking a few steps and hopping off. He was also more laid back during playtime yesterday immediately before I noticed the wound.

Turbo has also been less active. He didn't want to come out to play yesterday. His poo is also much smaller than it was before. I still have trouble picturing him attacking Nibbler. He typically seems to want nothing to do with being mean. Not saying that's not what happened, but it's rather out of character.

Given that it's now probably been close to 24 hours, and definitely will be in that range before I get some blue kote and get back, is it worth tracking down and applying a topical solution like that? The wound is already dried.

 

[Laurie]

Andrew, ear injuries usually heal on their own. Abigail has some holes in her ears from Bobo as ages ago they were cagemates. I don't know what the bumps in the ears could be though.
I think the poos could be small from the stress of the obvious scuffle. Keep monitoring them and make sure in a couple of days they get back to normal. I'm sure Nibbler is a bit shocked and put off by the fight and neither of them may be back to their normal selves for a couple of days.
Check for toe injuries as well. If this did happen outside the cage toes could have gotten bit hence the blood spot on the cage.

 

[EnslavedByNinjas]

Well, I've taken the advice that there's really not much I can do, it's a superficial and already dried wound, and it doesn't seem to be bothering the little stinker too much. Though he's actually been very friendly the last few days - I think he's starting to take some comfort in my presence versus resenting me for being the evil captor guy.

The more I think about it, and examine the wound, I think he caught his ear on something when moving full speed. It's a perfectly straight line and if his ears were half folded back it would be almost perfectly horizontal. He does like to run at crazy speeds and disappear behind things (like cages!). I think I'll have to block that off. But I think he's going to be fine. Still eating and pooing happily.

On a side note on the happiness thing - I notice even when I catch him doing something bad the last 2 days, such as trying to eat furniture, and I say his name he looks up at me and kinda smiles and strikes a pose, instead of looking at me with his typical hatred at being told no. He's been a hard one to gain the trust of, but I think extra attention when he's hurt is making him feel all warm and fuzzy (no puns intended!) inside.

Cheers!

 

[Essentia]

Good to hear all is going well. How is the poo doing?

 

[EnslavedByNinjas]

Not really better, not really worse. Poo is smaller than it was before, but still mostly tic-tac and very few near the size of a BB. He's still eating fine, lots of hay and a bit of pellets, really.

After I posted that message I went in to check on them (as I may not be home again till tomorrow night) and tried to scratch Nibbler. He usually tolerates scritches, but doesn't really care for them. I scratched his chest and he scooted forward into his 'buddha-belly' pose he does, sitting back and straight up, so I could scratch his belly. I scratched him for a bit gave him a belly rub for awhile, and he cuddled with my hand. His belly did feel fine, very soft and squishy, so I don't think he did that out of any sort of pain. It is the first time he's EVER went out of his way for more scratches.

I think that the stress of the injury is pushing him to realize I'm not a bad guy, and I love that! I've given him lots of attention, and an extra treat today just to be sure, gas drops.

 

[Essentia]

The same thing happened with Buttons. He was a very mean boy to me before he got sick. While he isn't a cuddle bug now, all the hand feedings and attention did bring him out of his shell a bit. He doesn't bite, at all, anymore which is a great thing.