I hope it's OK to post prayer requests here.

My 8 year old chinchilla, Po, is poorly. Po is very special to me, as are all my rescued animals (my "babies"! ). He has been sleeping so far all this evening, whereas being nocturnal, he normally would have been up since dusk, dashing about his cage and demanding treats! He didn't even come out of his sleeping box for raisins, his favourite treat, tonight. I'm particularly worried about him as in chinchilla years, he's not ancient but is getting on a bit. He's been in perfect health since a baby, so this is very unusual. I'll get him seen by my vet tomorrow, though he hates going so that will be an ordeal - poor thing. Please remember him in your prayers, if you can spare the time.

Many thanks,

Suzanne

Tas will.

will do, love and light to you po and suzanne.

Sending good thoughts.

Ahh, done and on the way!

Will do so.

okey dokey!

Will do. Thinking of you.

Aw poor po. Hope he's better soon.

Sending positive thoughts for Po

E x

Good thoughts for you and Po. Hope all goes well at the vets.

Thanks to you all for your kind replies. Po was diagnosed with tooth problems last night which have ulcerated his tongue. No wonder he's been off his food! He's having a dental done under anaesthetic this afternoon. I've been syringe feeding him since last night as because he'd stopped eating, his guts had seized up. After his dental, he will be given an injecton to get them moving again, and the syringe feeding should help that too.

I'll keep you all posted.

BBest Wishes,

Suzanne

Of course that would account for Po's trouble. Chinchilla's, like rats, hamsters, rabbits, are rodents and have continuously growing teeth. If not worn down by gnawing on some hard material they will grow over long and stop it from eating.

The vet should easily sort them out by clipping or filing the teeth.

Glad to hear wee po's on the mend!!

Aw, the poor wee soul. Glad he'll soon be fixed up!

Good to hear its nothing too serious!

Po hasn't started eating of his own accord after his dental, which is a worry. Once chinchillas stop eating, it can be very difficult to get them to start again. A chinchilla not eating is an emergency as their gurs seize up really quickly.They need a constant supply of food, unlike carnivores such as dogs or cats, as they are grazers. I'm continuing with the syringe feeding, every 2 hours, and he has an appointment this afternoon at 3.45.

Thanks to you all for your good wishes,

Suzanne

HOw did he get on Suzanne?

Tree x

Fingers are crossed for him Suzanne.

Thanks for all your good wishes and for asking after him, Tree. He had an injection of something to restart his guts but still didn't eat of his own accord, so he went back to the vets this morning. His guts are still having difficulty getting restarted after being deprived of food for a while, despite the syringe feeding. He has now been prescribed the medication that he was injected with in syrup form, so that I can give it to thim twice a day at home. I'm to continue to syringe feed him - every 2 hours! It' hard work and poor thing gets very grumpy about the whole situation

Suzanne

Aw - fingers are still well crossed!

I think I can understand that, your tummy aches and your mouth hurts and every two hours someone wakes you up and puts a seringe in your mouth. Bless. I'd be grumpy too.

Hope that Po is on the mend thinking of you both hope the wee thing feels better soon.

temps

Ive got a geriatric hamster who has a skin tumour. Shes still eating and drinking and vet said that unless she is in pain, its best to let nature take its course. But she is really a little old lady and doesnt like coming out much now. technically its still winter adn she's till in her slow hibernation mode, but like your wee Po, she's grumpy at times and prefers to sleep, eat and tidy her wee house. Still, although shes the smallest member of our family, I know I@ll be just as upset as the kids when her time comes, tho hopefully not too soon. I try gicing her lots of wee treats nowadays, things she realy loves. Have you tried this with Po?
Well, fingers still crossed and will think of you when i light my candle tonight.

Tree (loves animals big and wee)

Sending support and light ((((hug))))

Sending positve and healing energies to all in need. I will keep you all in my thoughts and meditations. I know how you feel. Right now my own dog (mixed lab/spaniel) is feeling very poorly (almost 15 with prostate cancer) and there is going to be a very sad moment when we will have to make that great decision. That may have to be today as he appears to be in great pain ....

It seems that when we are in these extreme conditions that we suddenly realize that life is just too short and precious to make fools of ourselves, yet the way things are going out there in the outside world, it appears that we are all living in a world full of fools.

Johanna

Thanks to everyone for their ongoing support and especially to Johanna, for your kind words.

I am feeling at the end of my tether now. The feeds (every 2 hours) are tiring me out and they can't be pleasant for Po. He looks very sorry for himself, seems very depressed, and his fur is dirty and matted under his chin from dribbles during feeds. The problem is apparently his guts; they haven't re-started functioning since he stopped eating. He is on medication for that now. Meanwhile, time it ticking on, it's over a week since he ate anything of his own accord and he has lost 5% of his body weight in just 4 days. I guess I'm asking for prayers for me as well! I'm worn out, stressed out and at a loss as to what to do, other than to watch him fade away in front of me

Thanks for listening,

Suzanne

When Merlin (my cat) first arrived he was old and a bit run down and manky - especially under the chin. I swabbed him with olive oil on cotton wool - it cleans/freshens and may even help if they ingest it - he certainly got to licking and improved. Maybe some olive oil? Though it might be a bit laxative...
Hope he improves soon and also J's poor dog.
Sending love, BB Tasx

Well, I hope he does pull through, but, perhaps he is trying to say that its time to let go? Its never an easy decision to make, and your vet will really know best, but if he is old and iots been so long since he ate of his own acord, then maybe you should let him go? Perhpas it is what he really wants. Yes,we all love our pets dearly, but sometimes we have to do the hardest thing, and thats to realise that sometimes keeping them alive when they cannot function as they should (and I know this will spark a debate about people too) is actually doing more harm than good.
I really genuinely hope he does pull through, but if the worst happens and you do have to let him go, we ill eb here for you. Its never easy.

Tree

Have to agree I think Tree may be right. Its the hardest thing to do, but the greatest kindness. Po should consider herself (himself?) very lucky to be so loved and cared for that you would be ready to make the ultimate decision.

I had to have my beloved beagle put to sleep a couple of years ago; he was only 7 but had been suffering from epileptic fits and the day i made the decision he had been fitting every hour on the hour for two days. Even the sedation to calm down his brain patterns failed. My comfort is that I took away his discomfort and that he is now being a beagle pain in the backside in the afterlife.

Be blessed and my thoughts are with you and Po.

will pray for you at this time - I hope things turn out ok.

lol fizz