I was out running errands for my Zoo yesterday, when this man shows up at the shop with a live trapped Chinchilla. Yes, you read that right. He claimed to have found the Chin in a parking lot somewhere else and was just dumping him on us, at the shop.
When I took the Chinchilla into my hands and snuggled him to me, I could smell the infection immediately. The front of my white tee shirt was quickly sporting some of the green googly goo oozing from his nose and mouth. The poor thing was even cold to the touch.. like his fur was chilled through.
So.. we called our local Exotic Vet and got him a rushed appointment. As I was driving across town, to the clinic, I was praying and pleading that the little one would make the trip.
The doc looked him over and confirmed what we already assumed.. severe dehydration, malnourished, congested lungs, overgrown teeth (growing up into his lip, actually), and a few other things.. along with a completely bald back and hindquarter.
He was given subQ fluids, an antibiotic injection and more to take 2x a day for the next 10 days, teeth trimmed, nails trimmed, instructions for handfeeding and pushing fluids/pedialyte, help with grooming ..and a song and a prayer from the staff, for him to pull through this.
On my way out of the clinic, I decided to call him Phoenix ..and the staff and other clients agreed that it was a good name for the little guy!
These were taken just moments after we returned home from the Vet visit, yesterday. He's tired and feeling icky after that ordeal, of course.
These were taken just a few minutes ago... and I can honestly say, I have never ever seen anyone so happy about a bowl full of dirt!
When I took the Chinchilla into my hands and snuggled him to me, I could smell the infection immediately. The front of my white tee shirt was quickly sporting some of the green googly goo oozing from his nose and mouth. The poor thing was even cold to the touch.. like his fur was chilled through.
So.. we called our local Exotic Vet and got him a rushed appointment. As I was driving across town, to the clinic, I was praying and pleading that the little one would make the trip.
The doc looked him over and confirmed what we already assumed.. severe dehydration, malnourished, congested lungs, overgrown teeth (growing up into his lip, actually), and a few other things.. along with a completely bald back and hindquarter.
He was given subQ fluids, an antibiotic injection and more to take 2x a day for the next 10 days, teeth trimmed, nails trimmed, instructions for handfeeding and pushing fluids/pedialyte, help with grooming ..and a song and a prayer from the staff, for him to pull through this.
On my way out of the clinic, I decided to call him Phoenix ..and the staff and other clients agreed that it was a good name for the little guy!
These were taken just moments after we returned home from the Vet visit, yesterday. He's tired and feeling icky after that ordeal, of course.
These were taken just a few minutes ago... and I can honestly say, I have never ever seen anyone so happy about a bowl full of dirt!
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