4 Common Diseases Of Chinchillas

Chinchillas could be susceptible to illness if they are not properly cared for; once he gets ill there could be a down slide in health. The symptoms of their illness are so subtle that their illness is only noticed when their condition has worsened. Also chinchillas strive to mask any display of pain that makes them vulnerable and an easy prey.

So it is your responsibility as an owner to make sure that your pet chinchilla is healthy at all times; if medical intervention is required make sure your pet chinchilla is attended to by an exotic vet who is experienced in chinchilla care immediately.

4 common diseases of chinchilla are: 

Gastrointestinal Illness: This is a lack of gut movement caused by problems in the digestive tract that is caused by the blockage of something that is undigested or from an inappropriate diet. If left untreated it could prove fatal for your chinchilla. 

One of the signs is the bloating of the stomach that could be accompanied by the chinchilla becoming tired, losing its appetite and cluttering ones teeth when you push gently on the stomach.

Another sign that also is serious in chinchilla is diarrhea that is characterized by runny or mushy poop; it requires immediate attention from the vet as it could prove fatal for your chinchilla.

The other gastrointestinal illness is constipation that is equally fatal for the chinchilla. Examine your chinchilla's poop; it should be oblong, black and not round or light brown.  It should not look very dry. Signs of hair in the poop could mean there is a hairball blocking the intestines. If the constipation lasts more than 24 hours or he looks seriously uncomfortable, get your chinchilla to the vet.

Dental disease: The teeth of chinchillas grow throughout their lives and only giving them fibrous food and wood to chew on makes these teeth wear down normally. Malocclusion would result if these teeth do not wear out normally and consistently; this would make not only eating difficult and painful but could also lead to mouth ulcers and lesions. This is represented by symptoms like drooling and appetite loss. Only a vet can trim the pet chinchilla’s teeth and also teach you the procedure. 

Ringworm: Look for your pet developing scaly balding patches on his face, ear and feet; these patches that look like rings do not cause lasting damage to the chinchilla, but the pet could pass it on to you. You could also get it with the patches appearance being ring like. Take your pet chinchilla to the vet and wear disposable gloves while handling him. The exotic vet will prescribe medication to get rid of the fungus. 

Yersiniosis: Your pet chinchilla could pick up the bacteria causing this disease from the wild from other affected rodent species. Your pet could get infected by consuming infested feces, if his mother harbors the virus in the uterus or by nursing. It presents itself with symptoms like weight and appetite loss, depression, lethargy and either diarrhea or constipation. It is found that most infected animals do not survive though you may be lucky if your pet is saved by antibiotic therapy. Your pet chinchilla should be separated from other chinchillas in case he survives.

I am sure you would try to protect your pet chinchilla from these 4 common diseases of chinchillas.