Home, Site Index, Nibbles Online, Links
The most important thing to keep in mind is that by the time you notice your chinchilla is feeling poorly, they may have been ill for some time. If an infectious illness is suspected isolate them from other chins, then take them to the vet as soon as possible rather than try to guess what may be wrong and possibly giving inappropriate treatment. Information on this page is given so that you can try and make your chin a little more comfortable, in the event that you have to wait before you can take it to the vet.
Having said that chinchillas tend to be healthy animals. Problems that may occur include: overgrown teeth, diarrhoea, constipation, heat stroke, fur fungus, eye infections, colds, and hair ring.
Overgrown teeth are more common in older animals, other problems may be spurs on the teeth. If your chinchilla appears to be having difficulty eating, is reaching their paw to their mouth frequently, and particularly if you notice wetness around the mouth or on the chest then take it along to the vet as soon as you possibly can. These symptoms may indicate tooth problems which in some cases can require surgery - treatment is best undertaken before the chin loses too much weight and weakens through lack of food.
More details on teeth.
These can occur due to change of diet, too much fruit and vegetables, or through illness. Again a visit to the vet is in order. A chin with constipation may benefit from extra exercise, and an extra raisin; while in the event of diarrhoea the following may help: withhold all treats, offer your chin charcoal in the form of bird charcoal, or extremely well done toast (this aids digestion); and mini Shredded Wheat (the kind that is 100% wheat, no added salt or sugar). Another aid to digestion problems is to offer your chin some 'live' yoghurt (try strawberry or raspberry flavour) - but it is better to visit the vet to determine the problem.
If your vet prescribes an antibiotic, then 'good' bacteria in the chins gut will also be destroyed; a probiotic will be needed to replace it.
Chinchillas do not cope well in an environment where both the temperature and the humidity is high, particularly where the combined temperature and humidity are greater than 150, e.g. temp 80C and humidity 70%. Heat stroke can result in death, if you suspect a chin is suffering from heat stroke lower the temperature/humidity to safe levels, but be careful with the use of fans - chins do not like draughts.
See keeping cool in summer for more information on temperatures and tips for cooling if you do not have air conditioning.
If your chin has fur fungus the vet will prescribe an antifungal powder which can be mixed in with the bath sand - the fungus should start to clear in a few days. Do not confuse this with fur biting - some chins bite their own (or another animals) fur so that it appears short and bristly - it is thought this can be caused by stress.
If the chins eye is noted to be closed, and/or has a discharge coming from it then this may be an infection, or it may the result of a scratched eyeball. Until you see a vet you can make the chin a little more comfortable by trying to keep the eye open: make some tea (no milk, no sugar) and allow it to cool, damp some cotton wool with the tea and wipe the eye from the inside corner outwards to clear away the discharge.
Cold symptoms in chins are similar to those in humans, including the runny nose! Ensure your chin is warm enough and is continuing to eat and drink. If the chin has problems breathing or appears to have a fever then see a vet immediately.
Where both a male and female are kept, or where a male is not keeping himself clean, the male may develop a penile hair ring. This can result in severe discomfort and even death, it needs to be carefully removed, either by the vet, or yourself (if you are confident and have a friend to hold the chin). A little lubricant like Vaseline or KY jelly can help.