chinnie diarrhea

Question
I have two 2-yr old chinchillas and they got diarrhea approx 4 weeks ago.  We took them to the vet and he gave Critical Care and a med to jump start the GI tract.  We did that for about a week and three days, them stopped.  I pulled the pellets and gave only hay, no treats.  Things got better.  Now, one of them is getting it again.  I make sure they have a clean home, clean H2O every day, good hay, etc.  I have not changed anything that would have caused stress or introduced any other changes.  I am worried to take them back to the vet because the day we got home on the last visit, one of the chinnies had the really horrible seizure.  I know that it was from the stress because she hates being handled, especially by people other than my husband and I.  I am not sure what to do but I want to do what is best.  Please help!  I have done a lot of research but am at a loss now.  Thank you for any suggestions you have or anyone that you could recommend me to speak with about them.  Have a great day and I look forward to your response.


Answer
Hi there Brookes!

Those symtoms could be coming from Coccidia or Giardia; which are 2 main parasites that Chinchillas get. A fecal test should be done incase there are any parasites in the GI tract.

The pellets could be the cause for the diarrhea too. For example some people have difficulties with their chinchillas getting diarrhea when using Mazuri Pellets.

So first a fecal test should be done so you can look for indications of parasites.

I would try to get some Albon Lose Dosage which is a preventative. This is found at a vets only. Another thing to give is a probiotic - Acidophilus. If you don't already have Acidophilus capsule you can find them at any local Health shop. Just break the capsule in half and sprinkle a little over their pellets.

Make sure to treat each chinchilla the same as you don't want anything to be passed to and from each one of them.

A great helpful forum to join would be: www.chins-n-quills.com

I hope this helped, let me know if it did or not :)

Mae.