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!
| Internal Parasites - Internal parasites are living organisms that live inside the body. Being parasitic in nature they rely the on the host (infected body) to provide them with all the nutrients and things they need. There are different types of parasites that live in chins, primarily coccidia and giardia. |
| Symptoms: Loss of appetite for pellets, weight loss, and diarrhea. Bloody stools. Actual infection of internal parasites can only be determined by a knowledgeable veterinarian. |
| Treatment options: Contact you vet for an appointment. Be sure to take a fresh stool sample to the vet so they can check for parasites through a fecal analysis so they can determine if there are parasites and what kind so they can treat them properly. |
| Cause: Dirty living conditions or contaminated food or water can increase the chances of internal parasites. Some parasites can live in water, on hay, in bedding or in feed. Parasites can also be transferred from other pets or humans that have, or have been in contact with parasites recently and have not thoroughly cleaned their hands or clothing. |
| Prevention: Keep feed dishes and water bottles clean, and sanitize them regularly. Be sure to keep living conditions and bedding clean and remove soiled bedding, toys, or other items as soon as noticed. Be sure to wash hands frequently especially after handling sick or wild animals, or other animals in the house. Stool samples can be taken into your vet without an appointment in most places just for a check up if desired. |
| Ring Worm/Skin Fungus - Ring worm is a fungus that is highly contagious to both animals and humans. |
| Symptoms: Missing fur, red and scaly skin, itching. Ring worm is often located on the head, but can appear anywhere, and is worsened by moist warm air, such as humid environments. Ring worm has many various strains, but most have a incubation period of approximately 21 days. |
| Treatment options: After verifying the ring
worm, you can begin treatment by adding Tinactin to your chins dust, be
sure that each chin has it's own duster to help prevent un-infected
chins from becoming infected. If only one chin has signs move it's cage
away from the others to help prevent cross contamination, and treat the
other chins dust bath as a preventative. If all chins are infected they
can remain together, and share dust. Continue to treat the dust for
about 6 weeks, even after the ring worm has appeared to disappear.
Also you can use blu kote or Lamisil cream directly on the infected areas. Continue to treat for at least 7 days even if signs of infection disappear. If the infection is extreme see your vet immediately for higher powered medications. Be sure to sanitize all cages, scoops, bottles, and any other areas that the chin may have come into contact with. Remember that the fungus can cling onto dust and fly when chins are dusting. |
| Cause: Fungus can come with moldy hay, bedding, or food, as well as coming in with new animals from questionable environments. Be sure that everything is clean and dry, and all new animals come from reputable breeders or rescues. |
| Prevention: Keep the area where your animals are kept dry and cool. Some people use Tinactin in their dust bathes every six weeks or so as a preventative, especially if new animals have come into the environment or animals have been to shows. Be sure to have good air movement and ventilation. |
Note the circle like pattern, missing hair, and crusty sloughing. |