The saga continues for Usagi

[Godins Chinchillas]

So Usagi's story continues.

I went away on Tuesday to take care of my dad in the hospital. When I came home Friday evening and did a check on every one I noticed Usagi was short of breath. However, she is eating well and gained 40 grams in 10 days. No nasal or eye discharge. So I had hubby listen to her and she's got a grade 4 out of 6 heart murmur. In fact it was soo prominent you didn't have to listen with a stethascope. Steve is wondering if she has endocarditis stemming from her illness (actually he is pretty confident on that) vs dilated cardiomyopathy. So Monday she goes for an ultrasound. She did not have this when she had her two surgeries.

Anyhow-things don't look good for her. On a positive note-she has pretty much stopped urinating on herself.

Jessica

oh I wanted to say one more thing. Not that I am expecting anything from the breeder on this but I can't tell you how disappointed I am that he can't even respond to an update email. His advice for the whole abscess was to put neosporin on it. It would be nice to know that he cared.

 

[Essentia]

Poor Usagi. Just when we all thought she was almost out of the woods.

I am keeping her in my thoughts.

 

[tunes]

Huh - I'd be expecting something. I'd be expecting a refund or at least a partial one.

I'm sorry. I had really hoped after the last bout, that she was out of the woods. This is just so sad for both of you.

 

[AmandaDi]

I am sorry!! I too thought she was out of the woods. I wish they could just talk to us!

 

[Sandi]

Oh I am so sorry, this poor girl has been through so much. My thoughts are with you and Usagi.

 

[Godins Chinchillas]

Thanks everyone. I will post Monday with the results of the ultrasound and what i chose to do with her. Hubby and I talked last night about her. He says if she does have endocarditis she will be on antibiotics for at least 2 months. The decision will be hard to make.

Jessica

 

[Carol~Anne]

Aww, poor Usagi has been through so much at such a young age. I'm assuming you won't be using her in your breeding program b/c of her health problems. Are you considering finding her a nice pet home that she can rest and retire in?

 

[BooBoo*TheKiddo*]

Aww poor girl

Sorry!

 

[Godins Chinchillas]

I highly doubt Usagi will be used for breeding. In fact, I don't expect her to survive tomorrow during her ultrasound. I am crossing my fingers.

Jessica

 

[addictedtochins]

Aw, I am very sorry, she has been in my thoughts since this started.

 

[starleomach]

aww hun I am so sorry. The breeder should be more supportive. I would expect that at least. definitly a replacement in my opinion.

 

[Godins Chinchillas]

Ultrasound results:

Usagi had her ultrasound this morning. She has a grade 4/6 heart murmur. She has endocarditis of the atrial and mitral valve. Her heart otherwise looked good. We are figuring out what coarse of antibiotics will be best for her. She will be on antibiotics for at least 6 weeks. 3 weeks of one type-3 weeks of another. One will probably be baytril-the other clavimox. She will then go in for a repeat ultrasound and see what her heart looks like then.

Hopefully she will continue to eat and gain weight during her treatment. I will keep everyone posted on her progress.

I want to thank everyone for the well wishes. I do not want to disclose the breeder where I got her from. IMO, there is nothing to gain and everything to lose. I just want everyone to be cautious in whoever you buy from. You just never know what will happen. I don't want to deter people from buying from this breeder. They do have excellent animals.

Jessica

 

[Godins Chinchillas]

Just wanted to edit my last post. It was not the atrial valve but the aortic valve.

 

[Rickman]

Did the vet mention if this was hereditary or from the previous infection? Being my wife has been a cardio-vascular surgical nurse for 20+ years, I asked her about it and got a half-hour+ explaination! Seems there's small chance it could have been hereditary, as it would/should have been diagnosed at the earlier illness, and that illness is what probably caused it!
Seems any infection of the bronci or lungs can go into endocarditis - an infection of the lining surrounding the heart.
Being a breeder, if the endocarditis did show up on the initial diagnosis, I'd feel obligated to help, although there'd be no way I'd know about the condition before purchase. Something occuring after purchase would be out of my control.
Just an opinion of another breeder!

 

[6Dusters]

Jessica I've known about your little chinny girls story from the beginning. I'm so sorry she's having such a difficult time. Blessings upon you for giving her wonderful care and love. Hope she improves with the new medical approach. I too am dissapointed at the breeders response. No matter how her life was to be, she was going to have this problem and she's very lucky to have been purchased by you and given the care she now recieves.

 

[Godins Chinchillas]

Rickman-endocarditis can occur if there is major infection anywhere in the body or outside. In her case it stemmed from her abscess. Her injury resulting into an abscess probably happened at the breeders place and not my own since it ruptured 3 days after purchase. She had became septic with the abscess-which went to her heart. The heart is pretty impressive being you don't start seeing disease until it is well advanced. Hence why we didn't notice it till Friday. She was doing very well up until then when I noticed her breathing being off. She was still eating and drinking very well...even today.

Endocarditis is not heriditary. If she had dilated cardiomyopathy we wouldn't have waken her up from anesthesia yesterday. Even with antibiotics it might be too late to save her heart valves. The damage may be irreversable. We won't know for another 2 months when she goes in for a repeat ultrasound.

Like I said, I am not looking for a refund or replacement. Quite frankly not purchasing from them again is the way I choose to go from now on. It would of been nice to have a little pat on the back so to speak from them. But I guess when you are a rancher one animal means nothing but a pelt. This is a great learning experience for all of us. You just don't see or hear of a case like this....and to be able to follow up and continue with her care is a step towards learning new things.

Jessica

 

[Godins Chinchillas]

Seems any infection of the bronci or lungs can go into endocarditis - an infection of the lining surrounding the heart.

The infection doesn't need to start in her chest. Any bacteria in the blood stream can go to their hearts. Ever hear of really bad teeth leading to heart disease-same exact principal.


Being a breeder, if the endocarditis did show up on the initial diagnosis, I'd feel obligated to help, although there'd be no way I'd know about the condition before purchase. Something occuring after purchase would be out of my control.

Her endocarditis resulted from her abscess that probably occured at the breeder's place.

The breeder suggested using sterile gauze and neosporin to treat her abscess. If I did what was suggested-she would of been dead A LONG time ago.

 

[Rickman]

I understand now - guess I missed the part where the abscess was there at purchase!
I'd have not sold her with a problem!
Now I understand your feelings, completely. Sorry I missed the first part!

 

[Godins Chinchillas]

Rickman,

You wouldn't of known she had an injury at purchase. A) it was on her belly, B) it probably was a very small injury like a wire poked her because you could not see it at all.

Crap happens. That's what we get for dealing with animals. You just never know what will happen.