Yikes! Half toe missing!

[Pixie]

I just noticed Judy my chinchilla is missing half a toe! What do I do? How I do get the bleeding to stop? Her vet is closed!

 

[MyzarandGemma]

Well I can only tell you what we did for our dogs... Flour is a temporary solution to at least stop the bleeding. Then clean it and add some neosporin, just like you would do for a cut on yourself.

 

[Pixie]

So I called the emergency vet and they said don't use neosporin because it can trap in germs. I told them that I would clean the wound and then use it, but she said to just clean the wound and take the chin into a chinchilla specialist tomorrow.

 

[AZChins]

I wouldn't worry too much about it for now. If it's bleeding a little, it's okay. You can clean it well and let it scab over. Watch for any changes in how the wound appears. Most of the time (95%+) something like this will heal up without any intervention.

I'm so sorry that you are worrying about this right now! I've been right there in the same situation. Don't worry too much, it will be alright!

 

[Pixie]

Yea I feel really stressed out as Judy has been healing from gut stasis and I lost thought I was going to lose her a couple weeks ago. I have been putting so much time, energy, and money in helping Judy heal and now this happened! I think my other chinchilla Emma bit off half her toe through the cage bars. Emma hasn't been out of her cage for a couple weeks due to Judy needing to move around more to get her digestive system moving. So i dont know if there has been any jealousy around Judy getting a lot of attention and exercise. I wasn't feeling too bad for Emma as she does have a chin wheel from quality cage company and a chinchilla mansion. Emma has never been fond of poor little sweet Judy. They are both rescues but I had Emma for 3 yrs before I took in Judy and ever since I brought Judy home, Emma chases her and tries to pull out her fur. I was hoping they would get along and be friends.

 

[Pixie]

Do I need to take Judy in to the chin vet tomorrow?

 

[melbur10]

If bone is exposed go to the vet. If not, it should be okay just keep it clean and keep her cage clean. Same thing happend to my sage, after she had recovered from stasis aswell... She was stressed and the course of antibiotics caused her to need a tinny bit more hand feeding.
So if she doesn't need it I would not go to the vet or put her on any antibiotics. I imagine she's on pain meds any way due to her stasis?

 

[melbur10]

If bone IS visible however I would go to the vet and get antibiotics (bone infections can be nasty) and the vet will determine wether a suture needs to be put in to cover the bone/or bone needs to be ground back or smoothed etc

 

[Pixie]

I'm heading into the vet. Is there a specific antibiotic that I can request that is better for chinchillas and won't cause gut stasis? Baytril was a nightmare and I don't want to go through all this again.

 

[Godins Chinchillas]

Smz.

 

[Godins Chinchillas]

Smz is my drug of choice for infections. Easy on the gut and easy to give

 

[ticklechin]

I use trimethsulfa for premed of minor infections.

 

[Pixie]

Ok so the vet said it was the nail that was torn, not half the toe thank goodness. He said I could put neosporin and a cone around her neck, or give her smz antibiotic. I brought everything home with me. The end of her toe is a little red and she keeps holding up her paw. I want to cause the least amount of stress as possible, so I would rather not put a cone on her unless the toe is not healing because she is chewing on it. the vet said chinchillas sometimes chinchillas chew on their wounds. I just put some neosporin on it, but should I give her the antibiotic? It destroys all bacteria even the good bacteria which makes me hesitant, but I also don't want it to get infected. It was actually healing up quite nicely before I took her to the vet, then when I picked her up it was a little red.

 

[melbur10]

If you use the antibiotic keep a watchfull eye on poop and eating, and use benificial bacteria two hours after a dose of antibiotics to help balance the gut back out. Keeping some simethicone on hand just incase is a good idea for any chin, let alone one who has gone through stasis
Good to hear shes not too bad! Good luck! Hope she recovers quickly and smoothly for you

 

[Godins Chinchillas]

Smz is very easy on the gut. I have never given a probiotic with it and I use it quite frequently.

 

[ticklechin]

I have had chins remove other chins toes with no antibiotic or vet visit, just some blue kote and they did fine. I would personally be really leary of using a antibiotic for a premed on this chin with her just getting over major gut issues. I would try to deal with it topically.

 

[Pixie]

Good news! The wound doesn't look red today and its closing up and healing. I decided to just put neosporin on it every 12 hrs and not do antibiotic or head cone. It doesn't look like she's been chewing on it. I'm still giving acidophilus, reglan, essentials feed with life line, and metacam. She's feeling good! Eating a lot too! The vet said she weigh 600 something. That's a good weight right?

What is blue kote?

 

[ticklechin]

Its gentian violet, a topical antibacterial/fungal solution that works well for chins since it drys fast with no residue. Blue kote is a brand name and you can get it at feed stores or tractor supply. 600gms is a good weight.

 

[Pixie]

Oooooh thanks Dawn. I'm going to pick some of that up.

 

[Pixie]

Blue kote seems good to have in the first aid kit that I am now making for the chins.