I’ve been watching Mr Otto closely since he arrived at The Manor and it’s pretty obvious he has some problems.

Taking in rescues is never easy, especially when one does not know the chin’s history – it is always a risk. Sometimes problems are not initially apparent and a quick veterinay check is not sufficient to identify all the underlying problems/issues – although Otto was apparently initially veterinary checked when dumped he has several potentially serious problems – these really should have been spotted because they are fairly obvious - it’s a bit frustrating that they were not since he could have started treatment sooner. 

Anyway …………. I noticed that Otto had dark urine when he arrived (easy to spot because he has his cage lined with soft light coloured towels). Initially his dark urine could have been attributed to a little dehydration because he did not have access to water during ther show day (not normally a problem since chins don’t tend to drink much during the day anyway) but the dark urine has continued to be present. He’s not obviously dehydrated – the rough test for this is if you gently pinch the skin on the back of an animal’s neck and it remains in a tented position the chances are the animal is dehydrated. If the skin immediately returns to it’s original position (ie. flat) then the animal is considered to be sufficiently hydrated. 

 Also he continues to throw his weight a little onto his front feet while resting and is somewhat awkward when he mobilises (he looks like a clockwork toy when he runs and throws his right hip out).

So he went to see Jade today and he’s definitely got arthritis in his back legs – he’s been started on Metacam daily for that.  He’s also got signs of bumblefoot and a fluctuant /squishy (meaning there is fluid under the skin - i.e. a hidden ulcer) rear left foot which will need treating if it breaks open – If necessary I’ll be dressing that on alternate days to help with healing.

In himself, Otto is bright and seems perfectly happy – he’s a real sweety and he is bouncing about like a spring lamb at times and is obviously enjoying his heat mat, exercise (within limits) and the Manor life in general.  He looks like he’s probably been a breeding male at some point in his life – he has only a few digits on his front paws.

*cough* It’s all Roman and Jane’s fault. No really, it is. Well, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

At the Southern Show yesterday Roman and Jane were picking up 4 chins which Graziella apparently had dumped on her doorstep (along with 5 others) some weeks ago. In my capacity as “Oooh! Chinchillas with stories, I must go see” nosy person I wandered over to look at the little chinnies. Oh they are very sweet, all 4 of them but Graziella picked up one particular slightly dopey looking male standard who just sat in her hands. That was it, I held out my hands, had a soppy chin deposited gently in them, and was instantly smitten.

Roman just looked at me and smiled, as did Jane – clearly they both knew what I was going to say (am I that transparent?! – when I volunteered to take him home with me – he has bumblefoot and something wrong with his back legs (possible arthritis? – a bit like Gregg) and he is so docile that he will probably go in with Gregg as they are both gentle and very laid back. He’ll fit in with the other Manor Misfits very well

So, currently Otto (long story behind his name but Talie and I were discussing possible names all the way home in the car is in a temporary cage in my bedroom so that he is quarantined, monitored, and generally spoiled before I try and introduce him to Gregg in a few weeks time.

Here is the little fella

You can see he hunkers down and throws his weight onto his front – this will be to relieve the weight from his back legs

Otto Hunkered Down

He even puts his bottom into the corner of the cage so he can balance – Gregg also does this so they can balance.

Otto Sitting Up

His front feet are well muscled and “thick” as in spread out because he throws his weight forward.

Otto

Yes, yes, I know – I’m a sucker for a soft chin and a sob story – I can’t help it.

Well, Tonka is now just over 5 weeks old.

Thought you might like an update on his mischievous self.

“Mum won’t share her shredded wheat with me!”

“But I got my own anyway”

“Cheeky faced? Me? As if!”

“See? Butter would not melt………. ”

“Hello?”

Some chins have no manners “From A to B via any route possible – Including over Mum!”

Poor Bear – she will be glad when 7 weeks is up because I can see me needing to wean the little monster by then