I have a 4 year old male chinchilla. For the past few days he's lost A LOT of weight and i can feel all his bones! He won't take any treats and I haven't seen him eat any of his food. His nails are sharper than usual and he's had a couple of whiskers fall out. He's acting lethargic and I checked his teeth for chips but they seem fine. The fur on his bottom is yellow and he's been acting terrified of me. He has no eye or nasal discharge. All he does is sit in his little house all day and night. He's also been rubbing his abdomen on the floor. But i'm mainly worried about his extreme weight loss and major lack of energy. And my parents won't let me take him to the vet because "it costs money". I don't know what to do!!!

Chinchillas are prey animals who hide symptoms of being sick for as long as possible, so when they'r showing that many symptoms, it is a SERIOUS EMERGENCY! He needs the vet ASAP. I'd bring him tonight. Some vets will offer payment plans, but I believe most will not. I lost my boy, Sunny, in the pic. He was 1 and died right after Thanksgiving from a rectal prolapse and kidney stone. This is his story: http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/sh…

pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com

Losing a chin at such a young age is one of the most heart breaking things I've ever gone through, and I'm 27 and have been through much more than most 27 year olds out there. I expected to have him for at least 20 more years, my grandkids could've even met him. I was going to put him in my will so he'd be taken care of if something happened to me. One day he was playing and running like a madman, then the next he was bleeding, staying overnight at the vet, fighting for his life. 4 years old is much too young-your parents NEED to get some sense slapped into them.

Try thhe one above me. Also beg, cry, promise to pay them back, do whatever you can to get him to a vet NOW. With all those symptooms, he may not last much longer. For them to be lathargic and be losing so much weight, it's an emergency that needs to be dealt with NOW.

Right now, go on the forum that I posted, take the 5 min to sign up, and ask this again with a more detail-maybe even a pic of his yellow abdomen. They are amazing and helped Sunny a few times, like when he got his bladder infection, they diagnosed him. Theyy may be able to diagnose your guy, but the vet is still needed. They cn tell you if the vet did good though. They knew more than Sunny's vet and he had no gas pain becausee of them.

pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com

And call around for an experienced vet who can say they have already treated chinchillas before. Not that they haven't yet, but can handle it. It took me 5 calls before I found his, and she did a good job.

And yes, they cost money, but you will regret not forcing the vet and resent your parents for a long time. Do what you can to get him there as soon as possible. Right now, he's the most important thing-trust me. And there is no way around the vet! HE NEEDS ONE ASAP!

Good luck and I hope they'll do it. I had to borrow over $600 from my dad for Sunny, and I would've borrowed a LOT more if I had to, but he passed before the bladder stne could be removed. Don't let your guy go without a good fight.

And I'd like to know how this turns out-contact me or just post it on that forum. Good luckk again to you both. I'll be praying for the little guy.

Experience I wish I didn't have. After almost 2 months, it still hurts just the same. Losing them so young is wrong.

ok this might sound horrible but lets see if we can trick your parents into letting you take him to the vet. First i need you to call your local vets and find out pricing of a few things......

Regular/ sick pet check up
Blood Work
Fecal sample etc

Next ask your parents that if the chincilla dies can you get a different pet.... think of something they really wouldnt want like a snake. tell them the snake stays in a glass aquarium but petco is having a sale so its only a $1 for gallon and a 40 gallon can hold a full grown snake so it will never need a different tank. Maybe mention getting a stand for the tank but that might be a little bit more. Or you can go online and find out about reptile swaps in your area and tell your parents you want to go to one. Mention that the tank will need a screen lid and 4 secure locks so the snake cannot get out. next the snake will need a UV light and a regular heat light plus an under tank heater. A hide and a water dish. Then remind your parents that baby snakes eat more than adults and they eat rats and mice. frozen or alive etc. Lastly say well its almost $250 for a new pet snake or you take my chinchilla to the vet. ok sorry if it doesnt work but i really hope that helps lol