Taking the "pill" to the vet tomorrow, ?s

[ChilliPepper]

So, A few days ago, I let the boys have a go at their ice cream cone treats- the mineral kind. I noticed Pepper was going with his usual gusto, but Chilli-pill was being so ginger, even more so than usual. Chilli has always been a polite eater, so I was not sure it was anything to worry about, but I mentioned it to hubby. He gave them their nibble rings last night and he said Chilli tried to bite it, spun it around in his hands a few times, and then tried to get it to his back teeth to chew on. He seems alert and happy and poopy, no wet eyes that i can tell, and no drooly chin. Is it possible that since I have not been supplying them with chew toys as frequently that he may just have overgrown front teeth?
We go to the vet tomorrow afternoon with both of them- the visit fee is for up to two animals so why not get Pepper checked out anyway. Now, will they be ok in our large varikennel? When we took Chilli to the vet the last time, it was in a cardboard carrier that I am sure he hated.
I was sad all day thinking my baby may have malo and wondering how long I will have with him and regretting that I have not been the best mama the last year.

 

[gella]

Have you taken a look at his teeth? Sometimes they can get something stuck in them, or injure the teeth, making it uncomfortable. Your vet will probably be able to get a better look.

 

[InkedupTara]

I could be wrong, but they dont need those mineral chews, they get all they need from their feed. They should always have something to chew on in their cage, wood is rather cheap and easy to give

It could be an overgrown back tooth maybe rubbing the toungue wrong. It could be malo, and the roots are growing into bone and just hurting, but I would not jump the gun.

A vet visit is good. Maybe someone else can point you in the right direction as to things to ask the vet or what not. I have a malo chin but it is her back teeth. I would make sure they do have plenty of things to chew on to wear the teeth down...... they can get environmental malo from lack of things to chew on.

I have individual carriers that I take my pets in, I would not use a cardboard one..but that is just me. I am not sure what a varikennel is. I would think you should invest in carriers, like ryersons 2 hole.

 

[ChilliPepper]

Thanks for a bit of reassurance.

 

[alli713]

Yeah, you shouldn't be giving the chins those mineral chews. Too much calcium can actually cause stones, so they have the potential of doing more harm than good.

Do your chins have wood shelves in their cage? If so, that should be plenty to keep the front teeth worn down under normal circumstances.

But, he could have malo. Or he could just have something stuck in the roof of his mouth. It's really anyone's guess at this point.

I think it's good that you're bringing them in, better safe than sorry!

As far as the carrier, how big is the kennel? If it's a small dog or cat sized, that's fine. I would never use cardboard, that's just asking for an escaped chin..

 

[ChilliPepper]

Just to clarify, I don't leave the mineral chews in their cage. I use them as a special "comfort" treat. They are busy chewing on them and I can put my hand around them and feel how they feel and just let them get used to me touching them. They are both really wild and don't like to be handled even after almost 5 years. I just don''t push it. They will always have a home with us even if they don't like to be cuddled.

 

[LemonSqueezi]

You can use something else as a special comfort treat. Like a apple twig, shreddie, or coin, a rose hip etc. The mineral cones are bad for them all together , they just shouldn't be given period.
As asked already are their wood shelves in the cage?

 

[ChilliPepper]

no, melamine that they cannot chew on.

 

[LemonSqueezi]

You can get Non treated white pine at any home depot very cheap. You can either make wood shelves for about 18 bucks total or make toys for about 5. Besides the mineral cones being bad for them they do nothing for the teeth. They are chalky and not hard enough to actually grind down the teeth. They need wood in the cage at all times. Even if its a leap n ledge but for the cost of the leap and ledge you can make about 10 toys yourself at home.

 

[addictedtochins]

There was a chin mom on here just recently who lost her chin due to kidney stones, These mineral chews do increase the chance your chins will get this. Search CnH for safe treats and safe wood and make or buy some wood ledges, the chins will love this

 

[InkedupTara]

Did Pill have the vet appointment? i was hoping to come on and see that he was just being a fussy chin and scaring you, rather then something being wrong

I will be looking for a happy update!

 

[ChilliPepper]

The appt is at 4. I am trusting hubby to get them in the crate. It is a medium sized dog crate, I use it for the cat. They are used to the smell of him, so it should be fine.

 

[mishellyshel]

if you get a chance i would just wipe it out with some wipes or soap & water.
good luck. it could be a lot of things, he may just need a filing or teeth trim.
i know you said they dont like to be handled, but you should get them used to it because if you ever have to administer meds or handfeed it will make it a lot easier.
i have to take one of my chins out 3 times a day to give meds & handfeed and now he just comes to the edge and jumps in my arms.

 

[InkedupTara]

Any Update?

 

[ChilliPepper]

Not good. We did not do x rays, but one tooth had grown out sideways and was hitting his cheek, causing a wound. Also, one of his molars was growing sideways and as she was about to trim it, it fell out. I really could not ask more questions, as the *** husband was pissed about the time and money. I will call and get more info as to why that could happen. I am stressed and sad.

The vet gave sulfatrim and metacam to be given twice a day. she doesn't think he will need CC since he was eating before.

 

[InkedupTara]

Keep an eye on his food intake any way as you may need to handfeed him. I am curious as to why no x rays were taken if his teeth were that bad, was that your hubby's call? I would want x rays to see if there is anything going on under the gums too.

I am very sorry it was not good news, but maybe it is just a tooth that needs to be filed every now and then, that would not be as bad.

Poor pumpkin! Give him extra scritches for me!

 

[ChilliPepper]

We are having a lot of money problems right now and everything has just sort of piled up. He's been unemployed for a year. My car needs work, he just put new tires on his bike to have it die 2 days later. It needs $1500 in work. I had some serious medical bills this year. The cat had a herpes infection and required multiple visits to the specialist, the other cat required surgery......
As much as I love my Chilli, right now I just could not get into it with him. I am bawling right now because I know that the $200 we did spend made him mad. He did apologize for telling me I was over reacting at least. He was just being a jerk.

 

[InkedupTara]

As much as I am sure you are not going to want to hear this tonite, that is not fair to him, and Malo below the gums can be very painful, dependant on the stage it is in. I am sorry for your money woes.

My boyfriend has been unemployed for some time, not for lack of trying but his unemployment pays him better then anything hiring right now, so I know your pain.

I am sure a lot of people may take issue with the money thing, as it isnt fair to him. I hope his issues are above the gums and the filing takes care of it.

If you need an ear, I am here, but if you cant afford further vet care for him, you may want to think about surrenduring him to a rescue or someone who could better care for his new condition. Just food for thought. Not trying to upset ya. Hugs.

 

[ChilliPepper]

Don't worry, the money will come from somewhere. I want to start with a call to the vet in the morning. Then I will get a quote for the xrays and see where we go from there. It was just a bad day and we had gotten into a discussion about money before we even left, so it was just not a good time. I get paid tomorrow, so I will likely take him next week when he is a little less stressed for time. But I didn't want to wait for the initial visit until then, because I could see a problem. I don't want him in pain, and if he is destined for a lifetime of tooth filing, then I will consider the unthinkable.
Should I make a little paste of his food for tonight since he may be sore? the vet said the pain meds would keep it under control, but I know to only believe half of what a vet that asks me why I don't give them greens says, lol.
I do have canned pumpkin on hand from when Lucy(dog) was sick. I picked up a couple of cans. Should I give him some of that along with his regular food tonight? He got his first dose of meds at the vet about 3 hours ago.
Tomorrow morning will be fun, lol!
The other thing, was that someone mentioned he should not need extra calcium, but his teeth looked really pale- barely yellow. Could he not be getting enough calcium, as in not absorbing it correctly? He is a 5 year old pet store chin, and he has always been a little small. He weighed in at a whopping 628 tonight and Pepper was 720. Chilli has gained 100 grams since we first got him.

 

[InkedupTara]

I know I give Gabby extra calcium and Vit C, as when there is injury or something, the body will use the calcium for that first then the rest of the body.