Cheeky Chinchillas - Keeping your pet chinchilla healthy

With the right care, environment and correct diet, a chinchilla can live for up to 20 years, although on average, most live to about 10 - 12 years. Chinchillas are generally quite sturdy creatures but there are some health problems to be aware of

The information given below is through research and my own experiences and is only a guide line.
If you are at all concerned about the health of your chinchilla, visit your local vet

Teeth

Chinchilla's teeth should be yellowish in colour and the top teeth should not overhang the lower set. One of the most common problems that chinchillas have, is with their teeth. This may be due to uneven teeth, overgrown teeth or sometimes spurs which grow and cause great discomfort to a chinchilla. The first signs maybe a discharge from the eye and then the chinchilla will start to eat less, eat softer food and as a result will lose weight. A chinchilla may also paw at his mouth and drool to a point that his paws and chest will be wet. The droppings may also be much smaller and of an irregualr shape.

Sometimes, there are no obvious signs and unfortunately, some problems are inherited. Help to prevent some dental problems by always providing a correct diet of pellets, good quality hay and suitable items to chew. Chinchillas need good quality hay to chew. Not only does it provide fibre, essential to your chinnie's diet, but it is also helps them to grind their teeth down.

If your chinchilla shows sign of having problems with his teeth, you must take him to see your vet.
It is not always apparent if there is a problem, so here again, are some of the obvious signs:

Drooling/wet chest
Watery eyes/discharge
Weight loss
Small droppings
Pawing at the mouth
Eating slowly and unable to chew food
Crumbled pellets

Looking after your chinchilla's teeth is VERY important

Heat Strokes

Poor air flow, excessive heat, bright sunlight and lack of water can cause heat strokes.
Chinchillas do not sweat like we do and so cannot cool their bodies down quickly, therefore the air about them must be cooled.
Temperatures above 75ºf can be fatal. Cool the animal immediately and cool the air. Air conditioners/coolers are best, but if only a fan is available make sure that there is a constant flow of cool air, otherwise you will only be circulating the already hot air in the room. Placing blocks of ice in bowls around the room will also help to cool the air.
If your chinchilla appears to be too hot, try a damp, cool cloth around his ears which will look very pink and try giving water. In severe cases it may be necessary to dip the chin in water - tepid NOT cold, then wrap in a towel

Is Your Chinchilla Cool? A few tips to keep your chinnies cool Keep the cage in a shaded area. Use air conditioning where possible. Portable air conditioners are ideal. Use blinds etc to reflect some of the heat. Never leave your chin in an enclosed 'hot' room. Freeze ice packs or freeze water in plastic bottles, freezer bags or put ice in containers and place these around the cage and room Marble slabs/tiles provide a cool area for your chinchilla; these are available in most large pet shops. N.B. Never let your chinchilla chew any of these items, as plastic etc is harmful to them Thank you to Wendy for this great tip ... Put your sand in a suitable container in the fridge to keep it cool. Your chinchilla will love his 'cool' bath

Seizures

Seizures can cause the chinchilla to become unbalanced making it difficult for him to stand or he may even appear 'dead' or have muscle spasms. These often occur in young chins, pregnant females or chins lacking in minerals, vitamins or calcium. They are sometimes referred to as 'calcium fits'. Cuttle fish is a good source of calcium and it may be necessary to add vitamin drops to the water. Seek advice from your local vet if you think your chinchilla has a deficiency. Make sure there is fresh food, hay and water each day.

Exhaustion and heat can also bring on seizures. Keep the chinchilla calm - the seizures do not usually last very long and he will return to normal. Do not let your chin get over excited.

Fur Biting

Chinchillas will sometimes start chewing at their fur. The fur will appear matted and wet and looks as if it has been cut short. There are various reasons for this. Some owners believe it could be genetic. Others, believe it to be due to stress, poor diet, noisy environments or boredom. It is not considered harmful to the chinchilla but will spoil the chin's appearance. Make sure your chinchilla is in a quiet, well ventilated but not draughty environment. Chinchillas are sensitive to stress and noise, so approach them in a quiet way, handle gently and provide active stimulation

Fungal Infections

Fungal infections can be due to poor housing and ventilation or spores from damp hay. There are two types of infection, one causes the fur to fall out and leave pink, irritated skin beneath, usually around the eyes, nose and genital areas. The other condition causes the fur to 'break', and as a result, the fur will look thin and shaggy and the whiskers may split and break off. The vet will recommend an anti-fungal powder to cure the infection

Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea can be due to overeating in young kits, incorrect feeding in adults or from eating contaminated food or hay. Remove any contaminated food if you think this could be the problem. Scrub his water bottle and always provide fresh water daily. A chinchilla can soon become dehydrated.
Sometimes, a chinchilla may suffer from diarrhoea through stress. For example, as a result of changing his environment/moving to a new home etc.
Try giving a little burnt toast or mix a little 'shredded wheat' into his food for a couple of days.
But, If the diarrhoea does not clear up within a couple of days, pay a visit to the vet.

Constipation

If your chinchilla is constipated, the droppings will be very hard and thin. This can be due to overfeeding, too many treats or perhaps not enough exercise. Make sure there is plenty of fresh water and hay. Try giving your chinchilla a couple or raisins and make sure he/she has exercise. If the problem continues, visit the vet, in case there is an obstruction

Hair Ring

Male chinchillas can sometimes get a ‘hair ring’. This happens when fur gets wrapped around their penis and the chinchilla is unable to remove it himself.

He might appear lethargic and eat less as it is very painful and he will appear to be cleaning himself all the time. If not removed, it can severely injure or even kill him. If you are confident enough, you can remove it yourself, if not seek help from your vet… immediately

If you remove it yourself you have to be very, very gentle ... get someone to help you.
You need to push back the sheath to expose his penis as the hair is usually wrapped around the base. You will probably see a dark ring where it is wrapped around. Have some luke warm water in a dish and try and tease it off....gently. Make sure you put his penis back afterwards and don't pull it out too far, otherwise you will hurt him. It is easier, if someone holds the chinchilla and another person do it.
If you are at all unsure, take him straight to your vet and he will do it for you.