Deutsche Seite
Version française
Al sito italiano


Impressum
Sitemap

Chinchilla:  Most frequent diseases.   Vet Dr.Tiger gives information and advice.

Chinchillas are robust animals and resistant to disease.       They only seldom fall ill, if they are well kept and are fed       properly in a healthy way.       Most of the diseases can be attributed to faults of the pet       owner: Diarrhoea, constipation, spasms, dermatophyte       fungus, inflammation of the eyes, cold, infection, abnormally       growing gnawing teeth.       Hereafter the most frequently appearing chinchilla diseases,       as well as the causes and symptoms thereof.

Disease	Causes	Symptoms	Visit veterinarian?
Dermatophyte fungus (transmissible to human beings!)	Fungal disease	Circular hair loss, itching, scabbed skin, chinchillas frequently don't show any symptoms	Consult vet, disinfection of the cage, good hygienic conditions and cleanness
Airway affections (transmissible to human beings!)	Infections,bad posture, bad alimentation	Purulent nose discharge, profuse respiration, respiratory noises, fever, tiredness	Consult vet
Faulty teeth conformation	Hereditry conformation	Feed refusal, excessive mastication movements, emaciation, salivation	Consult vet
Inflations, gas	Sudden food conversion, too much green roughage	Inflated belly, motionless sitting around, flank recumbency	Consult vet, withdraw feed for 24 hours, analgesics
Constipation	Too dry food and too rich in protein, not enough water	No defaecation, crouching in the angle, softly wailing pitifully (in pain)	Consult vet
Diarrhoea	Faulty nutrition (too much green roughage), mouldy hay, infections	Diarrhoea, weakness, dags in anal verge	Diet, best hay, withdraw feed, tea

Self-Medication

The best self-treatment starts with an excellent alimentation, hygiene and cleanliness. The robust chinchillas will then seldom fall ill. In case of constipation and diarrhoea the food can - on the vet's instruction - slowly be changed. The check of the incisor teeth as well as the removal of hair knots (i. e. in the anal area of the male) can also be done by oneself, just as it is the case with the administration of drugs with a disposable syringe without a needle.

When to consult the veterinarian?

If one follows some rules and regulations, it is well possible that one never has to go to the vet's: The chinchilla needs absolute peace and quiet during the day and must have the possibility to sleep in his little sleeping house without being disturbed. This will protect him from getting nervous and he can stay in good health. Moreover, a clean and balanced feeding with absolutely fresh pellets and dry hay is of utmost importance. Fresh water has always to be ready and gnawing material must be given into the cage on a regular basis so that the chinchilla is in a position to always use his gnawing teeth which are steadily growing back. The cage must be kept clean. There ist first and foremost one case where the vet has to be consulted: When the incisor teeth are growing in an abnormal way or when they break off. This central gnawing tool is imperative for the animal.