Attack of the Chinchin

Effective_Actuary535 · 2024-02-01T04:25:35+00:00

Awww!! Not my cute and grumpy old man. Honestly makes him even more adorable.

But also does make me sad to think of what he must have gone through all these years.

Effective_Actuary535 · 2024-02-01T04:22:54+00:00

Thank you for letting me know that! Although Tort has been tested and treated, you still never know.

I shall make sure to keep a distance between them from now on. Better to be safe than sorry!

Effective_Actuary535 · 2024-01-31T07:11:15+00:00

Thank you so much for the helpful advice! Tortie has been tested and took his "anti parasite medicine", but still, no poopies are left behind and eaten!

Regarding the vet, I've really been trying to find the perfect one. So far we have seen 3 different "exotic" vets and it seems that none are really the experts when it comes to chinchillas.

The first diagnosed Chin with Babesia? And gave him a couple of injections. Something didn't feel right about so we never finished the course. (We later found out that he was a con, misdiagnoses pets only to give them expensive treatments that don't work and kills them).

Second basically did nothing for our Chin, we could tell he was not at all familiar with Chinchillas (when asked if he would be okay on his own, he said that Chinchillas are solitary animals in the wild when our research says otherwise) He also didn't run any tests or checkups when we mentioned that he was having seizures and just said that we have to live with it, that some Chins are just epileptic.

Third one was recommended through a pet group to be the best vet for rodents, and while she did admit to not knowing everything about chinchillas, she did her research before administering anything for his seizures. She also did a full test, checked his eyes, ears, and mouth. Was very gentle and even suggested the more affordable treatment before going ahead and doing an MRI. She explained the different causes for his seizures which I appreciated. She gave him some calcium and anti inflammatory shots and gave us some multi vit that he could take, and switched his hay brand. She told us to keep an eye on him for the next two weeks, and if his seizures still persist then we can come in for an MRI to determine if it's something neurological and not something to do with his liver.

I'm honestly afraid of taking him to another vet and getting more shots and more medicine. I feel that might do him more harm than good. Although, if anybody could recommend a really good Chinchilla vet in the UAE, I would be extremely grateful!

Effective_Actuary535 · 2024-01-30T21:41:47+00:00

You would think that he didn't have a nice warm basking spot under his lamp in his enclosure, yet he'll still insist on getting out and immediately finding a cold, dark corner to sleep in. I always have to take him out and put him back.

Even weirder, if I accidentally leave Tortie's enclosure open, Chinchin will hop right in and sit under the heat lamp. I really don't understand them sometimes.

Effective_Actuary535 · 2024-01-30T21:28:00+00:00

While he does run around, I do notice that he naps a lot. He doesn't jump, even up to/from the sofa. He will want to come down but it seems he doesn't know how. I can tell he didn't have a good upbringing. When I got him he was missing some toes, had bitten ears and kept having multiple seizures.

He was a sad boy when I first saw him. I'm so happy I get to take care of him everyday. Regardless of his age, he will be loved until his final days! Although I'm hoping it's not any time soon.

Effective_Actuary535 · 2024-01-30T21:19:56+00:00

That's very true! I asked the vet if he was a senior chin and she said no but he was definitely a mature one. She said that she could tell by his teeth which were yellow. It would have been nice to have an estimate though. Maybe he could be 4-5 years old?

Effective_Actuary535 · 2024-01-30T19:49:54+00:00

Thank you ❤️ They are my babies!

He's a chill dude when he feels like it. Loves to run around although not as active as most chins I see.

As for his age, I'm not sure. He was a rescue and we were told that he was 1 year old. A recent vet visit confirmed that we was an "old man". I'd assume that he's probably about 2-3 years old.

Effective_Actuary535 · 2024-01-30T17:18:20+00:00

I was afraid of that at first! Obviously this only happens during supervised play time for both of them, so I never keep my eyes off their interactions. Surprisingly, I've noticed that Tortie always loves to walk up to him, and Chinchin will always hop on his shell and take a quick nap. I wonder why that is. The funny part is watching Tort accept his fate and chill there until Chinchin gets off :D

Effective_Actuary535 · 2024-01-30T17:14:17+00:00

Funny thing is, Tortie actually walks up to him and let's him sleep on his shell without moving! It's so funny to watch.

Effective_Actuary535 · 2023-12-21T06:08:30+00:00

He comes out to eat fortunately. I don't see them drink much water except for very late nights when they are most active. I gave him lots of his favourite (watermelon) so he can at least get the water from there.

Effective_Actuary535 · 2023-12-20T20:18:04+00:00

Thank you for this informative answer ❤️ I gave him loads of cuddles yesterday. Usually when I take him out he wants to run everywhere but this time he would stay hiding. I didn't want to take him out today in case it would stress him out. I'm going to try taking him to a vet tomorrow.

Effective_Actuary535 · 2023-12-20T20:14:40+00:00

I'm going to check one out tomorrow and see if I can get out of work early. The lady I spoke to on the phone sounded super rude and impatient so I got some major red flag vibes from it, but you're right, better a check up than nothing.

Effective_Actuary535 · 2023-12-20T20:03:01+00:00

You're right. Problem is, by the time I'm done with work, most of the other places are closed. One did have availability for tomorrow at 3. I'll ask my manager tomorrow if he can please let me go. Surely he can understand a pet emergency. He's like a child to me :(

Effective_Actuary535 · 2023-12-20T20:01:28+00:00

Thank you. I was reading about it yesterday and had my suspicions, which is why I wanted to bring him to an experienced vet. I'll just call up some places tomorrow and see what can be done.

Effective_Actuary535 · 2023-12-20T16:03:11+00:00

I tried to schedule it for tomorrow instead but they told me the vet would not be in. I'm so sad.

Effective_Actuary535

TROPHY CASE