Hi again everyone,

I started a conversation in the 'introduce yourself' section about our elderly chinchilla who is due to have his teeth filed under anaesthesia/heavy sedation. I decided to start a new thread here so as not hog the introductions section with his story. I have also just been informed that his appointment has been brought forward to tomorrow .

Since he has been off his food again over the last few days it has been decided to have him in earlier before he loses more weight since this will put him at even more risk during anaesthesia. He is a very active little fellow for his age and is otherwise healthy. He has had this done at least 3 times with an interval of around 6-8 months between visits. Every time it has been a huge worry that he won't come round but he has always surprised us by his recovery.

Thanks to everyone who has offered their best wishes for his appointment. I shall keep you informed of how he is doing.

Lindi

Hi Lindi,

Anesthesia is always a worry, but it sounds like you've got a competent vet and things have been fine in the past. I wish your baby well and safe recovery when he comes home. I'm just amazed at the age!

Anyway, sorry I haven't been on top of things here, I'm trying and I'm also still tweaking the forum as you can see. :eek:

Brad wrote:Hi Lindi,

Anesthesia is always a worry, but it sounds like you've got a competent vet and things have been fine in the past. I wish your baby well and safe recovery when he comes home. I'm just amazed at the age!

Anyway, sorry I haven't been on top of things here, I'm trying and I'm also still tweaking the forum as you can see. :eek:

Thanks Brad.

It is a different vet who will be doing the operation this time but all the previous doses administered are on his record so hopefully he will be fine. Jude is always present during the surgery so he can have the very best nursing care from his owner. As an anaesthetic nurse myself (humans) I know just how scary it can be. You just never know how someone will react. Plenty of surprises that's for sure!!

I thought you had been tweaking the forum! Rather you than me! I get by with basic PC skills, but am a self-confessed technical numpty

You are doing such a great job!

Lindi

Hi lindi and welcome to the forum, I wish you all the best for your chinchilla, hope all works out good, I know he means a lot to you,

Thank you Jojo

Lindi

Lindi,

Good luck with the vet visit......I know how worrisome it can be to have them "put under' for these type of procedures...

My last cat, "Mama" cat was around 22 -23 years of age when the vet said that her teeth were not in good shape and that she really should have a cleaning. Unfortunately, it would not have been possilbe if she were not put under. But, he felt it was too risky at her age, and so, she was put on antibiotic therapy to prevent infection.

I worry about my present cat Penny sometimes...she is 10 yrs. old now and her breath is not that great so I'm pretty certain that her teeth should probably be taken care of. However, she has had such a hard life and is SO skittish and frightened of going to the vet or really, anything out of her routine, that I hate to do it.....I suppose I will have to bite the bullet one of these days and have her checked out.....but so far, she seems to be doing well.

Again, good luck to you,

Linda

Thank you again Lin!

Since Jude is at the vet with him (she works there) I am just the sit-at-home worry wart today. I have not heard anything yet....but no news is good news I reckon!

I will give an update later on to let you all know.

Lindi

I have just received a message and a photo from Jude to say that he has come through the operation well. He is in his Oxygen tent and still very sleepy but doing well at present

Lindi

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Hi Lindi, I am so glad He is doing well! Looks a little sleepy yet But as long as everything went well, that is GREAT NEWS!! Thank you for keeping us updated! He is a DARLING !
[u]Sue

Thanks Sue.

He is home now but understandably still sleepy His teeth were really quite bad this time I'm told. He had to have 4 teeth extracted but these came out with ease. He also had the painful overgrowths (spurs) on his molars which were filed, and his incisors were trimmed back. He was also found to have lost 14 grams in weight.

His mouth will be a bit sore for a few days but he should start to get back his appetite soon.

Lindi

Oh poor baby!

Hope he's feeling better real soon.

Linda

Thanks Lin!

Lindi

I am glad he is home! I know you feel better too!

Hi Lindi,

What a relief that your little chinchin came through ok....I'm sure you were on tenterhooks all day waiting to find out how he was doing. Poor baby is right, seems so down in the dumps in that picture but I guess that is expected after all he went through this time!

Hopefully he will be just fine in a couple of days and starting to eat normally again. Thanks for the update.