Telling a breeder if a chin you bought from them died?

[ReneeM]

My dad has been pestering me with this question since this morning. He suggested once I call the vet about Phillip's xray results (to see what it showed), that I should contact the breeder to let her know what happened.

I had no additional funds for an autopsy, and I had already buried my baby before it was suggested.

I'm just wondering if the breeder would even be interested in this information? Or if she would be angry at me because a chin she sold me died so young.

My vet said it could have been genetic, but it also could have been so many other things as well.

I know I did everything in my power to save my little guy, but just wasn't sure from a breeding standpoint if this information was important.

 

[Riven]

I'm sorry I haven't followed the threads in the entirety. How old? How long have you had him? And what was the diagnosis?

 

[ReneeM]

He was a year old. I had him ten months. I believe he had pneumonia, but have not heard his xray results. The vet did not call me with the results after he passed away. I am going to contact them this week and find out what it showed.

 

[Riven]

I don't know how pneumonia or URI could be genetic. There isn't any sort of genetic issue I can think of that will show up at a year as respiratory issues.

From a breeder stand point, it's nice to know the chin was cared for. It's kind of up to you. If someone told me they lost one of my babies but did what they could, I wouldn't be upset. If they told me the dog ate it and wanted a refund.. I'd be upset. So personally I'd say that you're call. Pneumonia or URI can happen at no fault of the owner, it could be viral, a cold spread, etc.

As for the vet, I'd want the results of the tests I paid for, even if they chin passes away. Especially after paying for them.

 

[ReneeM]

They said something about a weakened immune system could be genetic? I may have heard wrong as well, I was crying pretty hard and only half listening :/

I'm defiantly going to get the results as soon as I can. They sent them out as well.

Thanks for the input. I'm still not sure I'm going to tell the breeder yet, but I may. It's still settling in that my baby is gone, I'm not ready to share that quite yet with the breeder.

 

[Stackie]

If you haven't really talked to the breeder much since you bought him, she didn't ask for any updates, and don't have much of a relationship with them otherwise, I wouldn't worry much about contacting them.

I am friends with the person who bred a majority of my chins so I have always let her know when one of them was sick or had passed.

However, if the findings were to point to genetics, I would definitely contact the breeder and let them know what happened. I highly doubt they'll be upset, especially since you sought veterinary care and did everything you could.

 

[ReneeM]

When I brought him home she did ask for occasional updates. It's been a few months since I have contacted her though. I would send her pictures and updates on the boys. She also gave me advice when my girl had her kits.

 

[tunes]

I would find it hard to believe that a weakened immune system would be considered genetic. Have you heard of the breeder having lots of deaths in her kits or adults? ANY chin can have a weakened immune system just by what they are exposed to.

It's up to you whether to contact the breeder or not. I always like to know what happens with my chins once they leave here, good or bad.

 

[ReneeM]

I don't know of any of her chins dying. I think my vet was just giving me random examples of what could have gone wrong. It wasn't my normal vet, but his co- vet. She exotics certified, but I much prefer my normal vet. Unfortunately he was out of town.

I went to a great breeder, and have no regrets about that.

 

[Cat75]

I would have to agree with tunes. I like to know good or bad what happen to my chins. Reading though past post did you tell the breeder about the chins coming from her with giardia?

 

[ReneeM]

I did tell her about that.

I had actually forgotten they had that when I first brought them home. They had a physical within 2-3 days of first coming home with me. I have to look back at their vet records.

 

[Spoof]

Definitely tell the breeder, I like to know what happened to all chins I sell regardless of if I've talked to the person at all during the last decade or however long they've had the chin.

Aslo definitely get the x-rays.

There isn't any sort of genetic issue I can think of that will show up at a year as respiratory issues.

I've had a couple of these and it stems from partial dwarfisim or deformation of the skull/sinus cavity. In all cases they start having issues around six months when the cartilage in the skull starts to harden and continue to have issues the rest of their lives. I've only had one die at a year old, but he had been having issues for six months.

They said something about a weakened immune system could be genetic?

Also happens, but much more rare than above and not what your guy had. Certain lines that you cross will throw these and you know right away. They constantly have issues from the time they are born until you put them down or they die. Females don't often live long enough or are healthy enough to have kits, males are very unproductive, etc. You know right from the start. For example, two kits will be born. One has a bad immune system, Kit A. Kit A will be surpassed in size by Kit B within the week and probably come down with fungus or something. Nobody else in the herd will have it. By week 3, Kit A will maybe have gained 5g. Kit B is normal sized. Both are spunky, Kit A eats like pig. Week 8, second or third (!) round of fungus for Kit A, still spunky and acts normal except all the weird missing fur and itty bitty size. As soon as mom's milk is gone URI's come and go with the fungus... any injuries become big ugly things for no reason. The key in spotting these is to watch the siblings, parents, and the rest of your herd. If nobody else is showing anything that chin probably has an immune issue.

That is a pretty extreme example, and it can be less severe. However with your guy never having an issue before the age of one year I'd say it was a fluke of bad luck.

 

[qtpie61282]

Stress can cause the immune system to weaken, again at no fault of the owner or breeder for that matter. Some times chinchillas just become overly stressed, if there are loud noises in the house for a few days that they aren't used to, if there are new changes to their environment such as a move, an added pet (dog/cat etc), anything.

The URI could have been caused by the fumes of the litter, really strong pine or cedar if you were using this. I know the pine shavings I get are not consistent at all. Each batch is different, some are so strong smelling even I can't tolerate it. Some batches seem moist which I hate and take back....so you never know what could have caused it.

I don't believe URI or Pneumonia are genetic. But I like what Spoof had to say. Very interesting and informative!!! And its definitely good to keep that in mind in case I run into anything in the future myself.

as for telling your breeder, its good to let them know. Any issues people have had medically with my chins they have told me and I have been able to help them through it or help them figure out what it is that was wrong. Plus its good for us breeders to know of anything so we can then look back at our herd as well and make notes.

 

[starleomach]

Upper respiratory infections are not genetic. Maloclusion can be genetic. Respiratory issues are most often environmental. Giardia is always in a chinchillas system and stress from a move can cause it to flair up.

You can let the breeder know but I would not blame the breeder as the chinchilla did not have a genetic condition. Weakened immune system is also enviromental more so than genetic. If the chinchilla had a weakened immune system from genetics it most likely would not have survived to weaning age. weak babies do not generally survive

 

[ReneeM]

I emailed the breeder today, explaining what had happened.

His xrays showed a nasal blockage. My vet said it could have been a tumor or polyp, or several other things. She said it could have been a fluke thing.

His lungs showed mild pneumonia, but the main thing was the blockage.

 

[ReneeM]

I emailed the breeder today to let her know what happened. She was very nice and sympathetic I explained everything that happened and what my boy meant to me. She offered me a free kit which was not expected and very nice of her. I was shocked by the offer, and thanked her, but was not interested in another kit.


It would be selfish to take in another chin at this point in time.


Plus my mom has her boy who we are going to introduce to Terrance