alpayton
Always into something...
Copied from http://www.davidson-chinchillas.co.uk/:
Prevention & Treatment Of Bloat In Chinchillas
Preventing Bloat In Chinchillas:
An Alternative Feeding Regime for Sick Chinchillas
When chinchillas become ill one of the first signs is often a lack of appetite and constipation or no faeces at all. This can be a result of a slowing down of gut motility (peristalsis), accompanied by an imbalance of gut flora (the ‘good’ bacteria is swamped by ‘bad’ bacteria and possibly yeasts).
Traditional attempts to stimulate a poorly chinchilla into eating has focused on treats – getting the chin to eat anything in the hopes of stimulating healthier eating and encouraging production of faeces by promoting gut motility. Treats are usually high in sugar and even quite sick chinchillas will nibble a raisin or two.
However, it may be that an increase in pathogenic (bad) bacteria and yeasts, combined with an increased sugar intake, and poor gut motion may lead to bloat. The theory behind this is yeast combines with the sugar in the gut and ferments, causing formation of gases. This is then very painful for the chinchilla and can lead to rapid deterioration in general condition and even death.
A chinchilla who has not been eating for a few days is traditionally given some form of high fibre food substitute such as Supreme Science Recovery or Critical Care. This gives the chinchilla’s gut a mass of fibrous bulk which the then distended gut cannot move along due to decreased gut motility.
Basically it may be a vicious circle – without food and roughage the gut cannot move food along and goes into ileus (stops moving) and without movement of food the gut builds further gases and undesirable bacteria, leading to pain and a decrease in appetite.
It is possible then, that traditional treatments may not be the best form of help for a sick chinchilla. If the theory proposed is correct then it may be better to give probiotics to promote healthy gut flora and stimulate the appetite for “good foods” rather than give treats which increase the sugar content of the stomach.
Appetite can be stimulated by using apple cider vinegar (1/2 teaspoon in 250ml water) Probiotics contain bacteria which are acid-loving (acidophilus). The inclusion of cider vinegar may inhibit the growth of undesirable bacteria and yeasts in the gut and aid in the production of “healthy” gut flora.
Following on from this theory then, a logical proposed treatment for chinchillas who go “off their food” would be:
Treatment of Bloat In Chinchillas:
Please note: no one should attempt to treat any form of bloat without immediate professional veterinary assessment, diagnosis, and prescribed medication.
There are several possible reasons for a chinchilla being unable to pass droppings including simple constipation to bloat or intusussception (telescoping of the bowel), torsion (twisting of the bowel), rupture, or obstruction (total blockage). Accurate, professional assessment is imperative if the chinchilla is to be treated effectively.
Treatment options for bloat which I have known to be effective (not all at the same time and only under veterinary supervision):
Extensive bloat is very difficult to treat - chinchillas do deteriorate quickly - their guts seem to go into stasis very rapidly and it is difficult to get peristalsis started again, particularly because the animal is in pain and the guts are distended due to the bloat - they stop eating, drinking and moving; all of which increases the constipation aspect of the problem (primarily due to dehydration) making it almost impossible to get the fecal matter passed through the gut.
Prevention & Treatment Of Bloat In Chinchillas
Preventing Bloat In Chinchillas:
An Alternative Feeding Regime for Sick Chinchillas
When chinchillas become ill one of the first signs is often a lack of appetite and constipation or no faeces at all. This can be a result of a slowing down of gut motility (peristalsis), accompanied by an imbalance of gut flora (the ‘good’ bacteria is swamped by ‘bad’ bacteria and possibly yeasts).
Traditional attempts to stimulate a poorly chinchilla into eating has focused on treats – getting the chin to eat anything in the hopes of stimulating healthier eating and encouraging production of faeces by promoting gut motility. Treats are usually high in sugar and even quite sick chinchillas will nibble a raisin or two.
However, it may be that an increase in pathogenic (bad) bacteria and yeasts, combined with an increased sugar intake, and poor gut motion may lead to bloat. The theory behind this is yeast combines with the sugar in the gut and ferments, causing formation of gases. This is then very painful for the chinchilla and can lead to rapid deterioration in general condition and even death.
A chinchilla who has not been eating for a few days is traditionally given some form of high fibre food substitute such as Supreme Science Recovery or Critical Care. This gives the chinchilla’s gut a mass of fibrous bulk which the then distended gut cannot move along due to decreased gut motility.
Basically it may be a vicious circle – without food and roughage the gut cannot move food along and goes into ileus (stops moving) and without movement of food the gut builds further gases and undesirable bacteria, leading to pain and a decrease in appetite.
It is possible then, that traditional treatments may not be the best form of help for a sick chinchilla. If the theory proposed is correct then it may be better to give probiotics to promote healthy gut flora and stimulate the appetite for “good foods” rather than give treats which increase the sugar content of the stomach.
Appetite can be stimulated by using apple cider vinegar (1/2 teaspoon in 250ml water) Probiotics contain bacteria which are acid-loving (acidophilus). The inclusion of cider vinegar may inhibit the growth of undesirable bacteria and yeasts in the gut and aid in the production of “healthy” gut flora.
Following on from this theory then, a logical proposed treatment for chinchillas who go “off their food” would be:
- No sugary treats
- Probiotics in the drinking water
- Apple Cider Vinegar to stimulate appetite.
- Reasonable food intake (good quality hay, in unlimited quantities, and pellets)
- Supreme Recovery Science or Critical Care if required in the early stages of illness.
- Exercise is beneficial with chins who have abdominal pain/bloat as it stimulates the peristaltic process and can initiate gut motility.
- Gentle abdominal massage will also aid the process and can relieve pain by encouraging gut movement.
Treatment of Bloat In Chinchillas:
Please note: no one should attempt to treat any form of bloat without immediate professional veterinary assessment, diagnosis, and prescribed medication.
There are several possible reasons for a chinchilla being unable to pass droppings including simple constipation to bloat or intusussception (telescoping of the bowel), torsion (twisting of the bowel), rupture, or obstruction (total blockage). Accurate, professional assessment is imperative if the chinchilla is to be treated effectively.
Treatment options for bloat which I have known to be effective (not all at the same time and only under veterinary supervision):
- Simethicone (Infacol) - for breaking down gas bubbles allowing them to pass through the gut
- Metoclopramide - gut stimulant
- Milpar - old remedy but still available from some chemists - laxative - softens faecal matter to push it through the gut
- Liquid paraffin - softens faecal matter to help shift it through the gut
- Vetergesic/Buprenorphine (potent opiod analgesic) - pain relief
- Meloxicam (Metacam) (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) - pain relief
- Probiotics (especially if antibiotics are being or have been used) - to promote "good" bacteria in the gut, assiting with gut function.
- Syringe feeding high fiber recovery foodstuffs such as Oxbow Critical Care or Supreme Science Recovery (both excellent for use in this situation because not only are they high fibre but contain probiotics to aid gut flora maintenance and vitamins/minerals etc to maintain adequate nutrition). Aim for 60-70mls per day if possible.
- Gentle abdominal massage - to stimulate gut motility (movement) and assist in moving the faecal matter/gas through the intestines.
- Gentle exercise - if tolerated, exercise (in very small amounts) aids in "shifting" everything in/through the gut.
Extensive bloat is very difficult to treat - chinchillas do deteriorate quickly - their guts seem to go into stasis very rapidly and it is difficult to get peristalsis started again, particularly because the animal is in pain and the guts are distended due to the bloat - they stop eating, drinking and moving; all of which increases the constipation aspect of the problem (primarily due to dehydration) making it almost impossible to get the fecal matter passed through the gut.
