Papa is gone - how to help his son?

[blue105]

Our 18 yr old chin Papa passed away last night. He had started going downhill on Saturday. We took him to the vet, and what the vet did eased him and allowed him to sleep with his son Nino and relax, eat and play a little. We thought he might be all right, but he passed away overnight in his sleep. I guess we can't ask for much more than that, but it really doesn't make it much easier. His poor little son seems confused and lost. Has anyone had experience with how to help a chinchilla with grief?

I just wanted to thank everyone who helped us with advice on his recurring ear infections, introductions to other chins and many many other things. Their lives were all better because you helped.

My condolences and shared grief with everyone in this memorial forum.
Love
Barb

[Kansas City Chinchillas]

Papa had a good long life. To help Nino spend extra time with him. You might also consider giving him acidophilus for the next few weeks to help his digestive tract. The stress of loosing Papa may upset his tummy.

[Karin]

i am so sorry.... papa lived a long, happy life, and knew he was much loved... i don't have any help with the one's left behind, but just be there for them.. lots of time spent with them..
again, am so sorry you lost papa..

[blue105]

Thanks for the kind words. It helps a lot. Nino seems to be doing ok. He just seems to be more blah than usual. I'd love to hear from others who have gone through this chinchilla grief.

[blue105]

Just up feeling guilty... like I should have caught it sooner. It was gut stasis the vet thinks. We didn't get a necropsy. Thanks for listening.

[Gumby and Elmo]

I'm sorry to hear you lost PaPa, but he lived a good long life, I'm sure you're a very knowledgeable chin owner to have an 18 year old, don't blame yourself for anything, I wouldn't have gotten a necropsy eihter, just let the lil guy rest in peaace.
I'm sorry I can't help you with the grief part, I know chins can sense sickness from cagemates and so on, so I'm sure Nino knows whats going on, he just needs the time for it to sink in like you. Justgive him extra love.