Sick chin?

[B&E Chins]

Hello, I heard a weird squeaking sound and came to check on my chins. It looked like Enzo was rubbing his mouth and he stuck his tongue out. He started drooling a yellowish substance and was gagging. He let me pick him up, which normally he wouldn't. I held him and then put him back down. He then looked miserable, ears down, slanty eyes

He has stopped gagging and drooling. But he doesn't look great.

 

[ChinsForLife]

I would take him to the vet asap. Is he eating and drinking at all?

@Amethyst

 

[B&E Chins]

No, he's doing much much better than he was.

 

[B&E Chins]

The only signs now are a little cough every 5-7 mins. All other symptoms are gone.

 

[B&E Chins]

He is drastically better but we are going to take him in now. Thanks for the response. @ChinsForLife

 

[ChinsForLife]

He is drastically better but we are going to take him in now. Thanks for the response. @ChinsForLife

Praying for good results! Glad he's doing better, I'm know that's scary. Just incase you didn't already know, Chins can actually only go 12 or so hours without food before their gut starts to shut down so you need to make sure he is still eating. If he isnt, You probably are going to need to syringe-feed him. Oxbow critical care is preferable but if you don't have that on hand yet, I would go ahead and grind/blend up pellets, mix it with water, and syringe feed some to him just so he has something in his system.(Unless the vet told you otherwise)

 

[Amethyst]

I know you already said you are bringing him to the vet, but in case you are wanting another thought on what happened, it sounds like he was choking. Chins can't throw up, so the yellow liquid would be just spit mixed with either pellets or hay. I would make sure he is able to eat and drink ok, if not something could still be caught in his throat. I would not try force/syringe feeding until you take him to the vet for that reason.

 

[B&E Chins]

Thank you for the comments. Enzo is being looked at right now. We are waiting to see what the vet thinks. He was doing so much better but still looking uncomfortable often and making a little wheez cough every 5 mins or so. He would also get in a strange position that made me think discomfort in his body. Positive thoughts

 

[ChinsForLife]

I know you already said you are bringing him to the vet, but in case you are wanting another thought on what happened, it sounds like he was choking. Chins can't throw up, so the yellow liquid would be just spit mixed with either pellets or hay. I would make sure he is able to eat and drink ok, if not something could still be caught in his throat. I would not try force/syringe feeding until you take him to the vet for that reason.

I didn't think about that. Yeah, see what the vet says.

 

[B&E Chins]

Good morning well that was a long night
The vet could not see anything swelling in Enzos stomach or throat, he was breathing normal. Given how much better he was than before we decided to take him home with some pain killers and Critical Care and monitor him closely.
When we got home we discovered the source of the problem. Little Enzo had munched on some synthetic fabric that I thought was clear out of reach I feel so horrible...
He has been eating pellets and some hay, thankfully. He has slept most of the night probably due to the painkillers and just not feeling overly good
However, Benny became very bullyish last night which, normally, is the opposite. I had to actually separate them

Today, we will keep monitoring Enzo

The vet visit was $250 CAD (to be checked out, for the painkillers and some Critical Care. Not bad, I was expecting more for an exotic animal at an animal hospital at night... Mind you, if he had been worse, we would have done sedation with x-rays which would have been up to a $1000.

This was a hard lesson, not from the cost but from watching my little dude suffer I will never underestimate a chinchillas ability and gumption ever again. Period.

 

[ChinsForLife]

Good morning well that was a long night
The vet could not see anything swelling in Enzos stomach or throat, he was breathing normal. Given how much better he was than before we decided to take him home with some pain killers and Critical Care and monitor him closely.
When we got home we discovered the source of the problem. Little Enzo had munched on some synthetic fabric that I thought was clear out of reach I feel so horrible...
He has been eating pellets and some hay, thankfully. He has slept most of the night probably due to the painkillers and just not feeling overly good
However, Benny became very bullyish last night which, normally, is the opposite. I had to actually separate them

Today, we will keep monitoring Enzo

The vet visit was $250 CAD (to be checked out, for the painkillers and some Critical Care. Not bad, I was expecting more for an exotic animal at an animal hospital at night... Mind you, if he had been worse, we would have done sedation with x-rays which would have been up to a $1000.

This was a hard lesson, not from the cost but from watching my little dude suffer I will never underestimate a chinchillas ability and gumption ever again. Period.

I'm so sorry you and Enzo had to go through this but atleast you were able to find the culprit and know it isn't something worse like malo. About the fabric, we all make mistakes with our chins(and that was an easy one to make) so don't let it discourage you. I can tell by all of your posts, and the actions you took at the first sign of trouble, that you really love your babies and want the very best for them; thats whats most important. Praying for a fast recovery Enzo!❤