Rivendell ChinchillasPlease note this page is not intended for replacement of professional medical advice or treatment for you animal. It is here for educational purposes only!
By reading or using any of the information on this page the site owner or author(s) are not responsible for you animal(s)! If your animal is sick please take it to the vet, this guide is to help educate on potential problems and symptoms as well as help offer tips on care before getting them to the vet, and after getting them home from the vet. It is in no way, shape, or form a substitute!
| Malocclusion -
Malocclusion is a painful and most often fatal disease that it common in
chins. Basically it works a little like this. Like other rodents chins
teeth continually grow, if not given something to gnaw on most rodents teeth will "buck out" and continue to grow. Chinchillas on the other hand
will begin to grow up from the roots and eventually through the jaw bone and
into the eye socket. |
| Symptoms: include refusing to eat, drooling, crying and/or pawing at mouth or eating, watery eyes, check for slobber under the front lip |
| Treatment options:Some forms of malo can be treated with proper diet and vet visits. More often than not though by the time symptoms show the disease has progressed to far to allow a good quality of life for the animal. |
| Cause: The most common cause for malo is genetics. Some malo is thought to be environmental and could be caused by poor diet, lack of chewing items, or injury (such as a fall, etc) |
| Prevention: May be maintained once started if caught early enough. Best prevention for malo is to know the breeding of your chin by getting it from a reputable breeder! Provide lots of items to chew on and well as various kinds and cuttings of hay to allow full motion of chewing to keep teeth in best condition. |
| Bloat -
Bloat is the build up of gases in the gastro intestinal system. Bloat is traditionally related directly to diet as well as other factors such as over all body weight, activity, and how often an animal eats. Chins who may have been off food for a while (either for medical purposes or simply refusing to eat) are more at risk for bloat as it allows the gas to build up in the GI system. Often if the gut fills with gas it has a tendency to twist cutting off blood flow to rest of the GI system causing the muscle and tissue to die. Chinchillas lack the ability to burp like humans do, so they have only one way to move the gas out! |
| Symptoms: Stretching, showing a lot of interest in abdomen, lethargic behavior, dragging hind legs, not eating, hunching, stomach feeling either excessively "mushy" or very firm (like an over inflated balloon), tightness and swelling of the abdomen or showing other signs of pain. Animals may show one or all symptoms. |
| Treatment options: Get that gut moving! Free
feed hay and pellets (no treats), also give acidophilus or other
probotic to help even out the bacteria in the gut. If the animal is not
eating on their own (this is common with bloat) hand feeding will be
necessary. Keeping Critical Care (Oxbow) or Critter Be Better (APD) and
syringes on hand is priceless in this situation!
Simethicone (baby gas drops) should be given to help reduce the gas in the GI system, one full dropper every 4 hours (yes that means getting up in the middle of the night). |
| Cause: Bloat is most commonly caused by imbalance in the GI track bacteria. There is always bacteria in the GI system but things like stress, sudden changes in diet, sugary treats, or lack of fiber can throw the balance off. Bloat is thought to also be genetic. |
| Prevention: Maintain a steady diet, avoid sugary treats and sudden changes to feeds. Always provide fresh hay for adequate fiber to keep everything moving! Acidophilus or other herbal additives can help promote good bacteria in the GI system and help prevent bloat. |