Rivendell ChinchillasPlease note this page is not intended for replacement of professional medical advice or treatment for you animal. It is here for educational purposes only!
By reading or using any of the information on this page the site owner or author(s) are not responsible for you animal(s)! If your animal is sick please take it to the vet, this guide is to help educate on potential problems and symptoms as well as help offer tips on care before getting them to the vet, and after getting them home from the vet. It is in no way, shape, or form a substitute!
| GI Stasis- GI stasis is the stopping or very slow movement of the GI tract. A chin's GI tract is always working, so stasis should be a major concern with chin owners. If movement in the GIT stops or slows severely the intestine tissues can die, causing irrepairable damage. |
| Symptoms: Small or no poo's, mucus covered feces, hunching, straining, lethargic activity. Sometimes you may hear loud "growling" or rumbling of the gut as it tries to move. |
| Treatment options: Start simethicone (1 dropper
every 4 hours) immediately and call the vet. Abdominal massaging
and encouraging movement ( exercise time in a safe environment is
great). Be sure the animal is getting lots of fluids ( do NOT sweeten
water as it will only encourage the growth of undesirable bacteria in
the GI system), begin force/hand feeding, get probotics in there
(acidophilus or other), if needed whet the appetite with a some kale or
other fresh herb, cilantro, oregano, and peppermint, and fennel all help
promote digestional health (these are not a replacement for feed, just a
temporary option to get fiber and liquid into the GI tract).
Propulsid or Reglan or a combination of them may be given by your vet. These are motility drugs that will instigate contractions of the GI tract. If you suspect that there is an obstruction these are not recommend as nothing will be able to move out of the body, only increase the pain and severity of the blockage. Metacam is suggested to reduce pain. Remember that chins are prey animals and do not show pain easily. Antibiotics often slow the GI tract down and not are recommended unless you vet suspects that there is a secondary infection. |
| Cause: Reasons for stasis include stress, dehydration, pain from other illness (malocclusion), impaction (blockage of the GI system), lack of adequate fiber, or anything that would cause the animal to stop eating. |
| Prevention: Keep animals that are easily stressed out in quiet calm conditions and try to prevent stress, be sure that animals are eating sufficient amounts of fiber to "keep things moving", be sure they are drinking plenty of fresh clean water, make sure you are feeding a high quality pellet (beware of high protein levels, fats, and starches), and don't forget that exercise helps getting things moving inside and out! |
| Impaction - Impaction is a blockage in the GI tract, it can be formed from anything from plastic or something the chin may have gotten into when it was out for playtime or that it pulled in through the cage, to food matter or bedding. |
| Symptoms: Loss of appetite for pellets, small droppings tapering off to no dropping. Some animals will show a desire to chew on wood, paper, cardboard, or hay to get the fiber their body needs to push the obstruction out. |
| Treatment options: Start simethicone (1 dropper
every 4 hours) to prevent bloat immediately and call the vet.
Abdominal massaging and encouraging movement (exercise time in a safe
environment is great). Be sure the animal is getting lots of fluids ( do
NOT sweeten water as it will only encourage the growth of undesirable
bacteria in the GI system), begin force/hand feeding, get probotics in
there (acidophilus or other), if needed whet the appetite with a some
kale or other fresh herb, cilantro, oregano, and peppermint, and fennel
all help promote digestional health (these are not a replacement for
feed, just a temporary option to get fiber and liquid into the GI
tract). Laxatives may be prescribed by the vet, and surgery may be
required if the impaction will not move on it's own.
Propulsid or Reglan or a combination of them may be given by your vet. These are motility drugs that will instigate contractions of the GI tract. If you suspect that there is an obstruction these are not recommend as nothing will be able to move out of the body, only increase the pain and severity of the blockage. Metacam is suggested to reduce pain. Remember that chins are prey animals and do not show pain easily. Antibiotics often slow the GI tract down and not are recommended unless you vet suspects that there is a secondary infection. |
| Cause: Dehydration and low quality feed or a diet low in fiber and high in proteins, starches or fats can help cause impaction. Common foreign obstructions are things such as fabrics, plastics, cardboards (if eaten in high quantities), or anything that is not digestible. |
| Prevention: Be sure that animals are eating sufficient amounts of fiber to "keep things moving", be sure they are drinking plenty of fresh clean water, make sure you are feeding a high quality pellet (beware of high protein levels, fats, and starches), and don't forget that exercise helps getting things moving inside and out! |