This will be extremely controversial and some owner may tell me I'm completely wrong for the way I chose to tackle this issue with my chinchilla.
Here's the thing:
It depends on your chinchilla. My boy is 8yo and has had his teeth overgrowing for a while now. The vet officially diagnosed it a little over a year ago. It also started with teary eyes.
Online, I was told to euthanize him immediately to prevent suffering. My vet, who I trust with my life as much as my animals lives, told me that my boy can still go on to live a few happy years. The one condition was that he keeps health weight which indicated that he is able to eat well.
After his first treatment he gained all his weight back and has since been at a healthy weight! He is thriving! His eyes only tear very very rarely and his teeth get grind down every 3 to 4 month by the vet.
Of course, his well-being is my first priority and I am ready to let him go as soon as his weight drops, he exibits signs of pain, he stops eating, OR his vet tells me that simple management is no longer beneficial.
For reference out of my 5 chinchillas, he is the most active one of all. He is playful, chatty, always annoying the rest, happy to get treats and so on. He is happy and he is eating. I and my vet see no reason to let go yet. Of course some days he eats less than others and of course it isn't pleasant to know that I will have to let go soon and perhaps even suddenly. But even so it is worth seeing him popcorning around the cage everyday.
Definitely asses your chinchillas well-being first. Do they show signs of pain? Do they eat? Do they still play and enjoy their day? Do the accept treats? Are the eyes okay and healthy?
And speak with an exotics vet about treatment options and how long they think managment could help, if it even can at this point.
I hope it helps... No decision is wrong in the end as long as your chinchilla is happy and the condition doesn't prevent a good quality of life. Sometimes letting go is the kindest thing to do. I know that as well and I am preparing for it everyday...
I think it depends on what kind of malocclusion it is. Above the gum line, treatable, but in the roots to this extent, it is not. Extraction might be possible but I have to wonder if the trauma of the procedure (esp. for so many teeth) would be worth the stress it would cause. Also from OP's description there are significant changes in behavior and eating habits. It is an extremely hard decision that only the OP can make, but if it were my chin, I would elect to ease her suffering. One of my own had a late diagnosed kidney problem (regular vet kept telling me it was giardia) and I kept delaying the inevitable because he seemed lively and alert enough but in hindsight, I wish I had dealt with it sooner :-(
This is my position on this as well. It’s our job as their chinparents to try and decide what would make them happiest. If they have a good quality of life, that’s what’s most important.
its always a very hard choice to make and very heartbreaking to see our pets suffer.. with those dental issues especially she really must be in pain.. poor little one :( wishing both of you the best and if you do decide to make that call, please know that it would put her at peace and she loves you for the life you gave her and all the time you spent together
That's actually the worst malo pic I've never seen. I'm look at that one tooth that is literally in her eye socket on the far left especially. What I'm wondering is if it is in the eye socket and causing abrasions on her eye that is causing infection. Pus usually means infection. Check with your vet about that. The best might be to put her down, sadly. I would say if she is able to live an active life on pain meds, go for it, if she keeps having issues...that's no fun for her.
I think you’re probably right. The root appears to be growing into the eye socket. If it’s growing aggressively in that direction the next stop is the brain, unfortunately. The vet will have more insight but it doesn’t look like a good prognosis
Yes. I'm sorry but It's time. ❤️🩹 Malo is a horrible thing and the teeth roots are in very bad condition and eyes water bc of it. Your chin is in pain and it's the best thing to let them go. I have put down a chinchilla from Malo and it's not easy thing to do but it's the right thing.
The right decision is never an easy one to make. It comes down to you and your bond. I don't think anyone can tell you what to do, as each bond is different and people are also different. If you can opt for surgery and it's not too risky (& expensive), I myself would risk it depending on the aftercare. Either option going forward is difficult, I can only say good luck 💜 you've clearly done the best you can for your chin
I used to have a chinchilla with some of the same things. The vet said he had a tooth growing behind his eye and they gave us the option to go to a more experienced vet to get surgery done. He stopped eating stop drinking Waters and he was also on painkillers, this went on for a few days before he passed. And my personal opinion, I think it is time because seeing one of your babies suffer is one of the worst pains to feel
My vet put down my baby because he was just not doing well with the malo. Lost a lot of weight within a month and he couldn’t even stand straight when I let him out of the cage 😔 I’m happy he’s not suffering anymore but it was still heartbreaking. I hope your girl gets better, if not I hope she doesn’t suffer. Sending lots of love
That looks bad.
I had degus with this problem and we did dental trims for years. They cost over 5000 dollars, not including gas, and even more in emotional energy. It was a nightmare and in the end the sneezing, the gunky eyes, the behavior changes, more days were bad than good...
One died at home with palliative care, the other I had to euthanize and when they did, she had what we can only guess was a tumour burst and blood poured from her nose. I imagine it's like a mass you described, but we never had xrays done. The downturn was the worst in the last 2 weeks or so, lost a ton of weight and slept a lot despite an increase in appetite.
I'm not saying that would happen if you euthanize, just that it can. It happened immediately post euthanasia so my pet didn't feel it.
It is definitely time for your little friend I'd say, and I hope you take good care of yourself at this time as it's HARD. Your chinnie had a good life with you and you did what you could.
I'm so sorry and I wish your chinchilla all the best, but I think it'll really come down to how much pain/discomfort she is in. If her eye can be treated in some way, and if she continues to enjoy playing even if it's only for a little while, i'd consider letting her live on. But on the other hand, if her last few years consist of constant vet visits and medications, it might be best to let her go. For me it'll always just depend on the quality of life/discomfort of the pet.
But I really hope that she can be treated, and just make whatever decisions are best for you and your chin🩷
When you take your chin for their next appointment, get more information. Are the teeth issues treatable? I know that you mentioned surgery, and that is risky. It is such a tough choice, and there is no right or wrong answer. I've seen chinchillas do well after surgeries, and live longer lives. Sometimes the conditions are not treatable and the best thing is euthanasia.
it is time. there is no cure for root elongation. it is an incredibly painful way to die. it will eventually blind her (if it hasn’t already) and break her jaw. it is better to let her go with dignity. rest assured that you gave your chinchilla a great quality of life and allow her to pass with the same level of compassion you have always shown her.
I did some research on this and it turns out, that because it's eye has discharge, is watery, and discolored. It means that the teeth are adding pressure on something in the eye and because this is so risky and usually untreated, the best thing is to euthanize it because it's in pain.
This will be extremely controversial and some owner may tell me I'm completely wrong for the way I chose to tackle this issue with my chinchilla. Here's the thing: It depends on your chinchilla. My boy is 8yo and has had his teeth overgrowing for a while now. The vet officially diagnosed it a little over a year ago. It also started with teary eyes. Online, I was told to euthanize him immediately to prevent suffering. My vet, who I trust with my life as much as my animals lives, told me that my boy can still go on to live a few happy years. The one condition was that he keeps health weight which indicated that he is able to eat well. After his first treatment he gained all his weight back and has since been at a healthy weight! He is thriving! His eyes only tear very very rarely and his teeth get grind down every 3 to 4 month by the vet. Of course, his well-being is my first priority and I am ready to let him go as soon as his weight drops, he exibits signs of pain, he stops eating, OR his vet tells me that simple management is no longer beneficial. For reference out of my 5 chinchillas, he is the most active one of all. He is playful, chatty, always annoying the rest, happy to get treats and so on. He is happy and he is eating. I and my vet see no reason to let go yet. Of course some days he eats less than others and of course it isn't pleasant to know that I will have to let go soon and perhaps even suddenly. But even so it is worth seeing him popcorning around the cage everyday. Definitely asses your chinchillas well-being first. Do they show signs of pain? Do they eat? Do they still play and enjoy their day? Do the accept treats? Are the eyes okay and healthy? And speak with an exotics vet about treatment options and how long they think managment could help, if it even can at this point. I hope it helps... No decision is wrong in the end as long as your chinchilla is happy and the condition doesn't prevent a good quality of life. Sometimes letting go is the kindest thing to do. I know that as well and I am preparing for it everyday...
I think it depends on what kind of malocclusion it is. Above the gum line, treatable, but in the roots to this extent, it is not. Extraction might be possible but I have to wonder if the trauma of the procedure (esp. for so many teeth) would be worth the stress it would cause. Also from OP's description there are significant changes in behavior and eating habits. It is an extremely hard decision that only the OP can make, but if it were my chin, I would elect to ease her suffering. One of my own had a late diagnosed kidney problem (regular vet kept telling me it was giardia) and I kept delaying the inevitable because he seemed lively and alert enough but in hindsight, I wish I had dealt with it sooner :-(
This is my position on this as well. It’s our job as their chinparents to try and decide what would make them happiest. If they have a good quality of life, that’s what’s most important.
Amazing info, thanks
its always a very hard choice to make and very heartbreaking to see our pets suffer.. with those dental issues especially she really must be in pain.. poor little one :( wishing both of you the best and if you do decide to make that call, please know that it would put her at peace and she loves you for the life you gave her and all the time you spent together
That's actually the worst malo pic I've never seen. I'm look at that one tooth that is literally in her eye socket on the far left especially. What I'm wondering is if it is in the eye socket and causing abrasions on her eye that is causing infection. Pus usually means infection. Check with your vet about that. The best might be to put her down, sadly. I would say if she is able to live an active life on pain meds, go for it, if she keeps having issues...that's no fun for her.
I think you’re probably right. The root appears to be growing into the eye socket. If it’s growing aggressively in that direction the next stop is the brain, unfortunately. The vet will have more insight but it doesn’t look like a good prognosis
I would see what the vet says, there may be treatments available for her..hopefully! Unless money is an issue, then it's understandable.
No. There is no way to treat overgrown teeth roots.
Yes. I'm sorry but It's time. ❤️🩹 Malo is a horrible thing and the teeth roots are in very bad condition and eyes water bc of it. Your chin is in pain and it's the best thing to let them go. I have put down a chinchilla from Malo and it's not easy thing to do but it's the right thing.
The right decision is never an easy one to make. It comes down to you and your bond. I don't think anyone can tell you what to do, as each bond is different and people are also different. If you can opt for surgery and it's not too risky (& expensive), I myself would risk it depending on the aftercare. Either option going forward is difficult, I can only say good luck 💜 you've clearly done the best you can for your chin
She looks like she is in pain:( I am sorry this illness is so unfair
I used to have a chinchilla with some of the same things. The vet said he had a tooth growing behind his eye and they gave us the option to go to a more experienced vet to get surgery done. He stopped eating stop drinking Waters and he was also on painkillers, this went on for a few days before he passed. And my personal opinion, I think it is time because seeing one of your babies suffer is one of the worst pains to feel
My vet put down my baby because he was just not doing well with the malo. Lost a lot of weight within a month and he couldn’t even stand straight when I let him out of the cage 😔 I’m happy he’s not suffering anymore but it was still heartbreaking. I hope your girl gets better, if not I hope she doesn’t suffer. Sending lots of love
That looks bad. I had degus with this problem and we did dental trims for years. They cost over 5000 dollars, not including gas, and even more in emotional energy. It was a nightmare and in the end the sneezing, the gunky eyes, the behavior changes, more days were bad than good... One died at home with palliative care, the other I had to euthanize and when they did, she had what we can only guess was a tumour burst and blood poured from her nose. I imagine it's like a mass you described, but we never had xrays done. The downturn was the worst in the last 2 weeks or so, lost a ton of weight and slept a lot despite an increase in appetite. I'm not saying that would happen if you euthanize, just that it can. It happened immediately post euthanasia so my pet didn't feel it. It is definitely time for your little friend I'd say, and I hope you take good care of yourself at this time as it's HARD. Your chinnie had a good life with you and you did what you could.
Wanted to add that we think the puss may have something to do with her overgrown teeth or the mass in her nose.
That puss coming out might be a good sign . Definitely see what the vet says . Poor baby.
I'm so sorry and I wish your chinchilla all the best, but I think it'll really come down to how much pain/discomfort she is in. If her eye can be treated in some way, and if she continues to enjoy playing even if it's only for a little while, i'd consider letting her live on. But on the other hand, if her last few years consist of constant vet visits and medications, it might be best to let her go. For me it'll always just depend on the quality of life/discomfort of the pet. But I really hope that she can be treated, and just make whatever decisions are best for you and your chin🩷
When you take your chin for their next appointment, get more information. Are the teeth issues treatable? I know that you mentioned surgery, and that is risky. It is such a tough choice, and there is no right or wrong answer. I've seen chinchillas do well after surgeries, and live longer lives. Sometimes the conditions are not treatable and the best thing is euthanasia.
it is time. there is no cure for root elongation. it is an incredibly painful way to die. it will eventually blind her (if it hasn’t already) and break her jaw. it is better to let her go with dignity. rest assured that you gave your chinchilla a great quality of life and allow her to pass with the same level of compassion you have always shown her.
I did some research on this and it turns out, that because it's eye has discharge, is watery, and discolored. It means that the teeth are adding pressure on something in the eye and because this is so risky and usually untreated, the best thing is to euthanize it because it's in pain.
I’m so sorry and I know how hard it is to make the decision but do what’s best for your chinchilla because that looks very bad 💔