Cheech From Renee Cheech - heat exhaustion
Cheech lived with my daughter who is a college student. She loved Cheech very much although her busy schedule didn't allow her to spend a lot of time with him.
One hot night in August her electric went out in her apartment. She knew Cheech needed to be kept cool, so she put him near a fan. She knew the draft wasn't good for him, but she didn't know any other way to keep him cool. She called me in the early morning and went to help her find someone to repair her electric. It was getting hotter and Cheech was starting to look ill.
We were both so scared when we found him lying on his back in the cage. We both had little knowledge of chinchillas. I gently lifted him out of the cage and put him in the refrigerator. My daughter was telling me "mom, you're crazy" that is only going to make him go into shock or something". I thought she was probably right! He just didn't seem to be getting any better.
We rushed him to the vet only a few blocks away. They gave him a cool water enema, an injection to lower the body temp, and the last resort, they put him in the refrigerator!! I was amazed I possibly did something to help him. So was my daughter. She said "way to go mom"!
The vet said he could have some brain damage or internal organ damage. We were to take him home and keep an eye on him for a few days. Cheech is fine and dandy! He is normal and doesn't seem to be any worse for the wear. We are happy he came through. We love him!!
Received by email 27th October 2003 See also Why Chins Cheech
Azure Chinchillas - Keeping chins cool in the summer includes advice for emergency treatment
Chinwags - Keeping chins cool
Chinwags - Keeping chins cool without air conditioners
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