| Also see: Initial Vet Examination Criteria and Detecting Illness Abscesses: Neutering article Bladder Stones in Perspective: Dental Health Death Throes: Memorials Fight Wounds and Skin Problems: Grooming, Fur and Skin Health Eye Removal: Sponsoring A Rescue Chinchilla on Rescue, Re-Homing & Classifieds Eyesight And Agility: Exercise and Play Handfeeding, Dental Problems: Nutrition and Dental Heatlh Online Vet Advice: Vet Resources Sometimes illness results when the immune system is weakened by environmental stress Always quarantine an animal that's sick with anything potentially contagious, ANY animal, whether it's your chin or another household pet because illness can spread between species. Even sick or injured chins NEED to keep clean, it affects their outlook and will to live, see Dustbath Massage Whenever a chin has internal health issues (pneumonia, digestive, etc.) or dental disease (including malocclusion), STOP all treats of a potentially hazardous (dried fruit with its concentrated sugar, nuts, seeds, etc.) nature until it is certain the chin has fully recovered. When a chin is significantly underweight or severely fur-bitten, he is more vulnerable to cold and drafts. Put a sheet around his cage (as described on Routines) and provide some cloth (a baby blanket of fleece in his house, a hammock, Cuddl-E-Cup with strap cut off, Comf-E-Cube, Chilla Pilla with The Day Bed) in his cage so that he can retain body heat, it's also a comforting convenience. In cold weather climates it may also be adviseable to provide a heated bed (such as Lectro Small Animal Heated Pad), which can be placed inside a pillowcase for the chin to sit on and stay warm. We've noted that chins with significant weight loss or fur loss are attracted to heater vents during playtime, this is because of loss of body heat. As long as the chin is able to move off the heated bed at will, there is no danger of him overheating himself.  DON'T KILL YOUR CHIN WITH "KINDNESS!" Chinchillas are normally very robust, healthy creatures, not excessively prone to sickness or disease. This article was written after hearing from several chinparents in the course of just a few short months; they all had chins whose condition had rapidly declined and they were languishing (or had recently died) as a result of their chinparent applying faulty forum advice. Forums are notorious for perpetuating myths of one alarming extreme or another and it's not uncommon to hear of a chin that sickened or died because their chinparent sought forum advice first rather than rushing their chin to an exotics specialist vet for immediate treatment. This article attempts to dispel some of that faulty forum advice and to guide chinparents in their decision-making while urging them to always seek the expertise of their vet first, because in the final analysis good intentions (soliciting advice from laypersons who may empathize and try to help, but who are not qualified professionals) are cold consolation for tragic results.
HEALTH ARTICLES (medical and anatomical, senior health and cataracts, veterinary articles, vital statistics) 
Pet
Insurance: Vet Resources
Online Medical Supplies: Supplier Sites Pet
Pharmacy by veterinarypartner.com: "features detailed information
on commonly prescribed pet medications. The interested owner can learn
how a medication works within the body, how the medication represents
an improvement on previously used treatments, and what side effects
one should be aware of. Understanding a medication and why it was
prescribed helps a pet owner understand the goals of therapy as well
as possible pitfalls."Medical and Anatomical Articles Animal CPR Not chinchilla-specific, however, in an emergency situation this page may suggest some useful options Abdominal Pain (Bloat), Colds, Pneumonia, Constipation, Diarrhoea, Soft Droppings, Eye Problems Fits/Convulsions, Infectious Diseases, Injuries, Shock (after any form of accident or injury), Fractures Azure Chinchillas Broken Wrist photo 1, 2, 3- if you suspect a limb is broken, see your exotics specialist vet immediately and be sure to get a painkiller prescribed, otherwise the chin may chew at the limb from pain.
Chinchilla
Brain Photos from U of W Brain MuseumChinchilla First Aid Kit: Chinnitude, Davidson Chinchillas, Granite City Chinchillas, Kingdom Chinchillas (.org), Nebula and Friends Diabetes Chinchillas4Life First Aid Kit, Hairballs, Fractured Bones, Antibiotic/Probiotics Ebony Dragon Chinchillas Illness: Prevention, RemediesThe Chinchilla Information Guide Heart Murmurs: CA Chins, ChinchillAZ.org Haematology and serum biochemistry in chinchillas David Crossley Homeopathy and Health Care: Articles addressing many conditions and their treatment Galens' Gardens Pancreatitis Chinchillas4Life Photos: Close-up of Pupils, Thumb, Hair Treasured Pets Farm Photos: Under The Microscope: Fur, Sperm Chinchilla Lexicon Pin (Repairing Break) in Leg X-Ray Post-Operative Care Following Surgery Davidson Chinchillas Respiratory Eyes of Texas Chinchillas Smoking, Ill Effects on Pets: Chinchilla Chat Line, Action on Smoking and Health, UOI at Urbana-Champaign Stomach Obstruction and Intestinal Gas X-Ray Tips for Treating Anticoagulant Rodenticide Toxicity in Small Mammals (.pdf) Viruses, Colds, Bacterial Infections Chin City Weight, photos of chinchillas at various weights Chinchillas2Home X-Rays, various x-rays in a case of undetermined illness Fuzzy Chins Senior Health and Cataracts (additional articles) Also see: Estimating Chinchilla Age, Chinchilla Eyesight and Agility Additional Articles Not chinchilla-specific, but insightful: Care of Your Senior Pet, Caring for Your Older Pet Chinchilla Cataract Photos and Articles: BelChin, Cheeky Chinchillas, Chincare Photo, Monty's Manor, Pets Corner- UK, Keeping Chinchillas as Pets- A Guide (photos), not chinchilla-specific: Cataracts- marvistavet.com, Cataracts in Dogs 
We've had quite a lot of experience
dealing with older
chins, those eight and older. From our research we learned that chinchillas
in the wild can live up to eight years, so it seems appropriate to
consider a chin a "senior" when he's reached his eighth
year in captivity. Chinchillas in captivity can live for 20+ years
but 10-15 is the average. Chins do mellow with age, and adult and
senior chins are every bit as capable of bonding
with people as chins that are younger.These are the health-related characteristics that we've commonly observed in the seniors we've seen, they seem to define the decline into old age: healing and fur regrowth slows significantly, unchecked callouses may have grown to form "flippers" on the sides of the feet, poor eyesight or cataracts may develop. Seniors may also get Nuclear Sclerosis, a hardening of the lens of the eye that makes it appear that there is a bluish-gray film in the eye's depths, as depicted in this photo of the condition in a dog. Cataracts can appear like a whitish cloudy film in the eye, or like a luminescent white disc. They reduce visibility and potentially cause blindness in the affected eye. Younger chins may also be affected, but cataracts are much more common to seniors. Since chinchillas are chiefly nocturnal (but can be crepuscular, i.e., active at twilight in morning and evening), poor eyesight or cataracts may not affect their navigating ability as much as one might think, however, it can cause the chin to be more easily startled, tentative, reactive or prone to gruff because the sense of sight does affect their perceptions and ability to cope. With older chins, fight wounds, fur slip, fur-biting or recovering from a surgical procedure can take a long time, sometimes months to heal, or in the case of fur, to regrow. It is extremely important to foresee and prevent injury in senior chins because they can die as a result of a wound or injury that compromises their immune system for the long period of time that it takes to heal, if it ever does in some cases. Immediate examination and treatment by an exotics specialist vet is imperative!! Wounds or injuries must be examined daily for healing progress and scrupulously treated according to veterinary instruction, watch wounds for abscessing because a longer healing time places seniors at a greater risk for complications such as infection. Veterinary Articles: General care and medical information, diseases, treatment, etc. 
BASIC APPROACH TO THE SMALL MAMMAL PATIENT www
version/ .doc
by Sharon Redrobe, BSc (Hons), BVetMed, CertLAS, CertZooMed, MRCVS,  Head
of Veterinary Services, Bristol Zoo Gardens
CHINCHILLA CARE www.
version/ .docby All Creatures Animal Hospital, Amelia, OH CHINCHILLAS
www version/
.doc
by Pet Care Veterinary Hospital, Virginia Beach, Virginia
CLINICAL APPROACH TO THE CHINCHILLA www
version/ .docby Heidi L. Hoefer, DVM, DABVP West Hills Animal Hospital, Huntington, New York
COMMON DISEASES OF PET CHINCHILLAS www
version/ .docby Companions Animal Hospital, St. Cloud, MN
ANTIBIOTIC AND PENICILLIN WARNING Also see: Probiotics and Prebiotics - What are they? by Azure Chinchillas BY CHINNITUDE Penicillin and Amoxicillin (Clavamox) have been shown to cause severe intestinal problems and even shut-down leading to death in a chinchilla. Lincomycin, Erythromycin, Ampicillin, Cephalosporins, Clindamycin are other antibiotics that should NOT be given to chins. FROM DRPETRA.COM Rodents are very susceptible to antibiotic toxicity. Man antibiotics, including penicillin and erythromycin, can be fatal to pet chinchillas. For this reason, owners should NEVER give their pet chinchillas medications without checking with their doctors first. Also, because of antibiotic sensitivity and other unique problems of pet chinchillas, make sure the veterinarian you choose knows how to properly treat chinchillas. BY HEIDI L. HOEFER, DVM, DABVP Chinchillas rely on a complex balance of microorganisms in the digestive tract to ferment non-digestible fiber. Any disruption in this system can change pH, interfere with motility, and promote bacterial overgrowth. Gram-negative bacteria and clostridial overgrowths can lead to diarrhea, enterotoxemia, and death. Avoid any antibiotic that has a selective gram-positive spectrum. This includes the beta-lactams (penicillins and cephalosporins), clindamycin, lincomycin, and erythromycins. ANESTHESIA Contrary to the myth that's a relic of the past, anesthesia is NOT a certain "death sentence." Of course there is SOME risk associated with "going under," but when a competent exotics specialist vet is applying chinchilla-specific knowledge to the process (as opposed to extrapolating from experience with other animals, as was sometimes done many years ago), then anesthesia is not a cause for great worry when used as needed. For instance, if a surgical procedure would be life-saving, then anesthesia must be risked, but if the vet simply prefers to anesthetize for x-raying because it's easier for him when the animal isn't struggling, then the "necessity" of that should be called into question. Our current vet does not anesthetize to x-ray and considers that, under normal circumstances, to be an unnecessary risk. Veterinary knowledge and experience has grown exponentially as the popularity of keeping chinchillas as pets has, so the key as always is to find an exotics specialist vet before your chinchilla has any problems, preferably a vet with chinchilla experience. We have had over three dozen trouble-free surgeries throughout the years (neuterings, hernias, intestinal prolapse, etc.) because the two exotics specialist vets we've used have been knowledgeable about exotic and small animal surgery, and because they had prior experience treating chinchillas. BY PAWTALK Isoflurane or Sevoflurane are acceptable sedative gasses. It is not commonly recommended to use injectable sedatives with small animals like chinchillas, in fact, it's generally inadviseable- any sedative will slow down the gastro-intestinal tract, but gas is less potent and wears off quickly. If an issue arises while the chin is under gas anesthesia only, you can put them on pure oxygen and wake them quickly. With an injectable sedative in their system, it's much more risky to administer an anti-sedative. A post-operative shot of Buprenex can be given for pain, as the author notes, "my chinchillas have had this administered after surgery with no noted side effects." EUTHANASIA FROM A NOW ARCHIVED ARTICLE BY ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY "Permissible methods of euthanasia include: pentobarbital sodium overdose, carbon dioxide inhalation and exsanguination under anesthesia." Medaille College Euthanasia Lecture Rabbit Euthanasia (.pdf) and Rabbit Health and Medicine Reference, for cross-referencing with chins HOUSEHOLD REMEDIES For retail chinchilla medical & health-related items, see suppliers .10cc, absolutely no more, of apricot brandy or apple schnapps, to numb pain in trauma situation Cornstarch (cooking kind) to clot a bleeding toe or small, superficial wound (always disinfect wounds FIRST!), acts like styptic powder (per Chinnitude) Emery Board (cardboard nail-filer), excellent for filing callouses on foot pads Feeding Syringe Hypoallergenic Moisturizers: Jojoba, Vitamin E oil, Aveeno, pure Aloe Vera, unscented Neutrogena Hand Cream Hypoallergenic Lubricant: Vaseline (petroleum jelly) Natural Tears for cleansing eyes Neosporin First Aid Antibiotic Ointment Purified Water for cleansing wounds SEIZURES/ FITS/ CONVULSIONS (articles, brain infection) Causes of seizures is detailed in Articles. It's important to note that there is a head shake or tremble, which sometimes involves the body as well, and this is something that chins may do when they're startled, frightened or apprehensive. This is not the same as a seizure or a convulsion, and it is a reaction that's situation-specific, such as when being picked up suddenly. The shakes can happen whether or not a chin is familiar with you and it's been noted by us and others that the black velvet mutation seems particularly prone to this. When a chin shakes, it's important to soothe him by speaking softly and reassuringly while holding him close, cuddling; to put him down and walk away would reinforce his fear. When you get a new chinchilla, he needs affirmation of your goodwill from the start, see: Initiating Bonding, A Hands-On Approach. Cold food, contrary to rare myth, does not cause fits. If this were true, we would have seen at least one good twitch from having fed literally hundreds (via our chinfamily that's numbered at over thirty since 2002, rescue work since 2000 and saving ranchies since 2004) of chinchillas with pellets straight from the refridgerator on a daily basis since 1997. Exercise has also been erroneously blamed for causing seizures, see the Pre-Existing Conditions warning on Chin-Proofing and Other Precautions. If you suspect your chinchilla has had a seizure, wrap him snuggly in a lightweight towel or blanket (no strings, fringe or loose weave) and take him to your exotics specialist vet immediately! ARTICLES An excellent resource for understanding seizures and epilepsy in small animals: Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine's Small Animal Fact Sheets, .doc Seizures have many causal factors, the most common include: overheating, malnutrition, calcium deficiency and a bloodsugar imbalance from feeding sugary treats too much, too often, and especially from giving them around (an hour before or after) exercise time, see warning. It is extremely important for chinparents to realize that the most common causes of seizures have to do with husbandry and environment concerns (select factor hyperlinks for detail), things that are directly controlled by the chinparent, who is responsible for being aware of how to provide competent care. There are several other potential causes of seizures in chinchillas, see these articles in addition to the ones below: CA Chins; Chinchilla Chat Line; Chinchillas Unlimited- 1, 2; Chinchillas2Home; Azure Chinchillas for Chinformative Forum; Pitter Patter Chinchillas; Priory Chinchillas, see Information> Health & Behavior> Fits; Spoiled Chins DOUBLE INFECTION OF THE BRAIN WITH FRENKELIA SPECIES AND TOXOPLASMA GONDII IN C. LANIGER BY J.G. MEINGASSNER & H. BURTSCHER Two caged Chinchillas that died with convulsions had a focal necrotic meningoencephalitis of toxoplasmic origin. Independently of and remote from this inflammatory reaction were several lobulated Frenkelia cysts up to 0.6 mm diameter in the brain. Morphologically and in the way they stained they resembled Frenkelia in various Microtus-species and in Ondatra zibethica. Although toxoplasmosis commonly is found in the Chinchilla this is the first report of Frenkelia in this species. Ecological considerations suggest that the Chinchilla might be susceptible to a Frankelia usually occurring in free living other species. CURING
GIARDIA(articles, oreganol article) Additional Articles and Information  CORRECTION
REGARDING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN FLAGYL AND LIVER FAILURE IN CHINCHILLAS
(previous ref) This quote courtesy of correspondence with CA Chins and reproduced here with permission: "This was supposition on our part [the connection between Flagyl and liver failure in chinchillas] that has since not been borne out to be true. It was just a fluke on one or two chins, and Dr. Johnson has used Flagyl successfully for other problems on chins without liver failure. It is being removed from our [The Joy of Chinchillas] book, and should be removed from our web page. Time is an issue here. The other problem for giardia is now that Albendozole not only no longer works but has side effects that Dr. Johnson is not happy with, and Fenbendozole is fast becoming a problem as well. We have nothing to combat giardia with right now but prevention." Every instance of the purported connection between Flagyl and liver failure in chinchillas that we have seen was taken from this single source; this retraction should be duly noted by those who still carry this mistaken information. Why
Distilled or Filtered Water is Best Article with information on
PREVENTING Giardia and other intestinal parasites
Giardia articles by: Bad
Bug Book, Chinchillaz.org,
Luv
'N Chins, II, also
see Internal
Parasites by CA Chins Giardia
studies: see Little Chincha's post on the Chinchillas Unlimited
forum
"About 30% of Giardia
isolates are resistant to metronidazole [Flagyl] now." (ref-
from article on cats
by Little, DVM)Some rumors have it that Giardia is naturally present in chinchilla intestines in minute amounts, but this is extremely doubtful, it is far more likely that this supposition has come about due to some people's inability to pinpoint the contamination source of their outbreak. It is very important to ALWAYS consult your exotics specialist vet, especially regarding something as contagious and potentially deadly as Giardia! Sickness or stress can compromise a chinchilla's immune system and make him more susceptible to contracting Giardia. Chinchillas are capable of contracting other parasites as well, such as Cryptosporidium, and parasites in amounts negligible to humans are sometimes present in both tap and well water. For this and other reasons, chins should be given only distilled or filtered water. The main symptom of Giardia will be VERY rank-smelling diarrhea. Because lack of adequate daytime sleep, an abrupt change in diet or other environmental stress factors can also upset the gut and cause diarrhea, notice how it smells and if it has a strong, nasty stench do NOT hesitate to take your chin to an exotics specialist vet because Giardia left undiagnosed and untreated is deadly! Giardia is transmittable to both humans and other animals, primarily by contact with the diarrhea, which can get everywhere on the affected chin's cage. With Giardia it is imperative to observe quarantine (see article) and extreme measures of cleanliness while treating the affected chin, e.g., wash hands with disinfectant soap whenever handling the chin or anything associated with him, clean cage accessories and chew toys daily by wiping them down with Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol Clean (read specifications), and clean the cage (bleach is recommended, read specifications) as often as possible, at least twice weekly. Observing these measures will help prevent the very real likelihood of reinfection. Oreganol Article By Chinchilla Lover's Haven NOTE: OREGANOL IS THE TREATMENT RECOMMENDED IN THIS ARTICLE, IT MAY NOT BE EFFECTIVE IN ALL CASES. We successfully ended baby Rascal's bout with Giardia by trying a natural cure. I diluted 16 drops of Oreganol, organic oil of oregano, in one tablespoon of unsweetened juice, I used V8 diet Berry Burst. I then gave him two tiny drops of that solution using an eyedropper and followed it by another two drops about three hours later. The diarrhea ceased within one hour after the second dose, but I wanted to be certain it was totally gone. So I continued giving one drop of the solution once a day for another five days. This was an extremely strong solution which he detested taking, and I think it probably stung his precious little mouth. In retrospect I don't think it needed to be that strong, I was just getting desperate because nothing I'd tried, even RX meds, was stopping the giardia and Rascal was wasting away. So although this worked for me, I believe and recommend that it would work just as well if you cut it down to 5 drops dilluted in non-sweetened juice and administered one drop of that solution from an eyedropper each day for 6 days. If I had to face this plague again, that's what I'd do.
Katalyst for Animal Wholeness, Inc: "Oreganol is a proprietary formula of oil of oregano. It has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, germicidal, antiseptic, pain-killing, and antioxidant properties and is suggested to kill yeast (candida) overgrowth, fungi, bacteria, parasites, relieve diarrhea, intestinal gas, digestive disorders, and bronchitis, ease pain and inflammation, and provide antioxidant protection. The extra strength Oreganol is three times the potency of the regular Oreganol and cheaper in the long run. It is safe to take on an empty stomach. It increases metabolic rate and can be helpful for weight loss. It is two-thirds as effective as morphine (analgesic/pain killing properties). "Watch for mild reactions when using this and other NAHS products in animals. You may see a change in stool color. It may get very dark because of the increase in bile production, indicating elimination of toxins, and flushing of parasites in the case of intestinal overloads. The stool may also have a foul odor for the same reason. However, this product should not cause diarrhea. If it does, reduce the dose. "Be sure not to stress the animal – i.e., if s/he won’t eat food with the oil stirred in, then fill an empty gelatin capsule (found at health food stores) with the recommended number of drops of oil, and hide in moist food or insert in back of throat. Oreganol can be given in a low prophylactic dose daily if/when the animal is healthy, to minimize incidences/reoccurrences of parasites, viruses, unfriendly bacteria, etc. Oreganol makes the environment hostile for these unfriendly internal visitors. After a few months, this product also makes the animal unpleasant for fleas, ticks and mosquitoes." PROTOZOAN PARASITES IN CAPTIVE CHINCHILLAS (Chinchilla lanigera in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil) Article Authors: Flavio Antonio Pacheco De Araujo- Veterinary Doctor, Professor of Protozoology at UFRGS; Ana Claudia Fagundes Gurgel- Veterinary Doctor, Master's Student at PPGCV, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS); Amanda Dos Santos Sartori- Undergraduate Student, School of Veterinary Medicine, UFRGS, and Scholarship Holder of FAPERGS grant Note: footnote markers were removed for easier reading, see source for bibliographical information ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to identify Giardia sp., Eimeria spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. in fecal samples of chinchillas, respectively raised on farms located in the cities of Gravataí and Porto Alegre (State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil), Giardia sp. was detected in 8% of 250 samples. The variables age (p = 0.47) and gender (p = 0.07), submitted to Fisher's exact test, were not related to the results obtained through the method of Faust et al. (1939) apud Hoffmann (1987). Oocysts of Eimeria spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. were not identified in any of the samples. INTRODUCTION Originally, chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) lived in the wild and fed on herbs in the Andean steppes, on tree shells and on leaves from bushes. They used to be a food source for the Chincha indians, as well as a pelt provider. Chinchillas are circumscribed to the Andean countries, in South America, and can be easily bred in captivity, with a life span of up to 20 years. They have been bred in captivity since the 1920s and are certainly a commercially profitable venture. In Brazil, the breeding of chinchillas has demonstrated improved quality and achieved a strong market position. The State of Rio Grande do Sul, in southern Brazil, has 200 commercial breeders. Giardiosis is the most common and the major parasitic infectious disease of chinchillas. Giardia spp are flagellated protozoans found in the small intestines of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians; they are believed to be the first human intestinal parasite to be identified. The mature cysts found in the feces are infective and resistant to adverse environmental conditions. Infection of new hosts occurs when these fully developed cysts are ingested with food and water. In water or in a moist, sunlight-deprived environment, the cyst may remain viable for up to two months. This flagellated protozoan may change from a harmless intestinal parasite to a virulent pathogen that can cause severe debilitation, leaving the host susceptible to all kinds of severe illnesses, which eventually result in death. Giardia lamblia usually becomes pathogenic when chinchillas are under stress, especially in the case of newly weaned offspring or in cases of imbalance of the intestinal flora. Changes in food and water supply, or planer shavings contaminated with feces of other animals, as well as changes in feeding conditions may trigger an outbreak of Giardia spp on a farm. Giardiosis is associated with stressful, overcrowding, and unhygienic conditions which favor the transmission of the parasite. Cryptosporidium has been recognized from the seventies onwards as the cause of enteritis in turkeys, cattle, in many species of fish and reptiles, and in humans. Cryptosporidium is also the major cause of acute gastroenteritis in immunocompetent patients. The zoonotic implications of cryptosporidiosis reinforce the fact that the water is the major route of transmission. Maximum control over water sources for consumption constitutes a public health problem. Yamini and Raju (1986) described cryp-tosporidiosis in a chinchilla with severe diarrhea. The histological analysis revealed several spherical structures that are characteristic of Cryptospori-dium spp. in the epithelial cells of the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon. Eimeriosis is also a contagious enteritis, caused by Eimeria species, which affects the small and/or large intestine, mainly of young animals. Eimeria chinchillae causes watery and hemorrhagic diarrhea, tympanites, and seizures. The host is infected by ingesting sporulated oocysts. There are no publications about protozoa in chinchillas raised in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The aim of the present work was to verify the occurrence of Giardia, Eimeria, and Cryptosporidium in chinchillas from commercial farms in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and to assess the positivity for these parasites based on their age and gender. MATERIAL AND METHODS Experimental design and fecal samples: The fecal samples were collected from experimental animals on three different commercial farms located in the cities of Gravataí and Porto Alegre, state of Rio Grande do Sul, in southern Brazil, between August 2002 and June 2003. The fecal samples of 250 chinchillas were collected from animals kept in individual cages, and were distributed into two groups according to their ages (< 12 months and > 12 months) and gender. The samples were stored on ice and taken to the laboratory, where they were maintained in a fridge at -8° C until their analysis. The study protocol was approved by the local Research Ethics Committee. Parasitological methods: Each sample was processed and evaluated using the methods of Faust et al. (1939) to detect the presence of Giardia; Sheather's method modified by Benbrook (1929) to detect the presence of Eimeria; and Ziehl-Neelsen staining method modified by Angus, to detect Cryptosporidium, all of them apud Hoffmann (1987). The diagnosis was based on the presence of Giardia cysts and Eimeria and Cryptosporidium oocysts in the feces by means of light microscopy. Statistical analysis: The results were analyzed using Fisher's exact test and INSTAT statistical package.
RESULTS Giardia cysts were detected in 8% (20/250) of the animals. Table 1 presents the 8% positivity for Giardia sp. in chinchillas with same age and gender. None of the samples analyzed presented oocysts of Eimeria spp. and Cryptosporidium spp.
DISCUSSION The present study is the first account of giardiosis in chinchillas in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, in southern Brazil. Although there is no occurrence of giardiosis in chinchillas in Brazil, an 8% rate is very important, due to its pathogenicity and possibility of transmission to other animals, as well as to humans that are involved in their breeding. In chinchillas, the presence of up to five Giardia cysts per field, observed through the method of Faust et al., is considered normal for the intestinal mucous membrane. By using the same methodology, we found an average of 11 cysts/field. No clinical signs were observed, nor was there any relationship between the consistency of the feces and the presence of cysts. In this study, 181 females and 69 males were analyzed, a normal proportion for this species, since the breeding of chinchillas is based on polygamy with one male for five or six females. When the positivity for giardiosis was compared among males and females, there was no significant difference (p = 0.07). A similar study conducted in dogs yielded a similar result as to the occurrence of giardiasis in male and female dogs. CONCLUSION The conclusion of this study is that there is no significant difference between the two age groups (< 12 months and > 12 months) (p = 0.47); nevertheless, some authors reported that Giardia sp is extremely frequent among young and confined animals, whereas others described significant difference regarding age group in dogs. The presence of Giardia cysts in fecal samples of chinchillas can be a source of infection to humans. Strict attention to hygiene and strong commitment to health practices are therefore very important so that the transmission of this zoonosis can be prevented. COMMON KIDNEY DISEASES IN SMALL PETS by Holly Nash, DVM, MS, for PetEducation.com NOTE: The following article is a general small pet article, only the first section specifically mentions chinchillas. See article for further information on the topic and always consult your exotics specialist vet in emergencies. Kidney disease (also referred to in medical terminology as renal disease) is common in many small mammals. Diet and husbandry can play a major role in preventing certain kidney diseases. What are the common causes of renal disease in small pets? Chinchillas: Kidney stones (uroliths) made of calcium oxalate can cause renal disease in chinchillas. The cause is presumed to be nutritional: moldy food, vitamin B6 deficiency, or a diet with too many plants high in oxalic acid (e.g., kale, mustard greens, and spinach). What are the signs of renal disease in small pets? The most common signs of renal disease include: *Depression and lethargy *Weakness *Increased drinking and urination *Difficult or painful urination if an obstruction (e.g., a kidney stones) is present *Loss of weight and appetite *Dehydration* Urine scalding in rabbits In acute disease, such as a toxicity, the signs occur suddenly and can be very severe. In chronic kidney disease, the onset may be very slow and the signs fairly non-specific, i.e., the animal is "just not doing well." Whether the disease is acute or chronic is typically related to the cause. How is kidney disease diagnosed? A diagnosis of renal disease is based upon the results of the physical examination, a complete medical history, a complete blood count, blood chemistry tests (including electrolytes, total protein, albumin, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine), and a urinalysis. Radiographs (x-rays) can be very helpful, and endoscopy, ultrasound, and sometimes a kidney biopsy may also be needed. How is kidney disease treated? General treatment includes fluid therapy, nutritional support, and possibly providing supplemental heat. The fluid therapy may need to be continued for the life of the animal. Periodic blood testing may be necessary to monitor the response to treatment and adjust it accordingly. Since bacterial infections can be a common cause of renal disease, or can occur secondarily, antibiotics are often included in the treatment regimen. The underlying cause of the renal disease needs to be treated, as well. Surgery is often necessary to remove uroliths. Dietary and husbandry changes are often necessary. PENILE HAIR RINGS AND PROLAPSED PENIS (photos and articles, hair ring removal, treating a prolapsed penis) Photos Feet Held Securely for hair ring removal Hair Rings: Chinnychinchins, Sunset Chinchillas Hair Ring Strangulating Penis, view above and below Prolapsed Penis Additional Articles Chinnychinchins, Chintasia: Jasper's Vet Visit, Pitter Patter Chinchillas, Spoiled Chins, Sunset Chinchillas Hair rings are wisps of fur that get wrapped tightly around the male's penis, which resides inside the penile sheath. If your male chinchilla is continuously cleaning his penis, this is *not* masturbation or "fellatio," he may have a hair ring that he cannot loosen by himeself, other times males may clean themselves daily because chinchillas in general are very clean animals. It is true that males may consummate during dominance mounting or use a stuffed animal as a surrogate female, but the sex drive in animals is about procreation, not recreation. So if your chinchilla appears to be cleaning his penis too frequently, PLEASE see the Hair Ring Removal instructions below, because a hair ring that is left untreated can strangle the organ, shut off blood flow and become a VERY serious health threat! Hair rings in single male chinchillas are rare because hair rings happen as a result of mounting (dominance or reproductive) another chinchilla. Pet chinchilla breeders routinely check their breeding males for hair rings. It's possible but very unlikely that a chin could get one from just cleaning himself, or from mounting a stuffed animal that he uses as a surrogate female. Males that are neutered and housed with either another male or female mount far less than unneutered males, decreasing the likelihood of their getting a hair ring.
Hair Ring Removal Sometimes the male is able to remove the hair ring himself, other times not, and sometimes a prolapsed penis will result from the males efforts to loosen (which irritated the penis, causing swelling) the hair ring. To remove a hair ring, start by washing and rinsing your hands thoroughly. Get a hypoallergenic lubricant, we recommend petroleum jelly (Vaseline). If that is unavailable you may try: Jojoba, Vitamin E oil, Aveeno or unscented Neutrogena Hand Cream. The male will finish the process and get some of the lubricant in his mouth, so it must be completely non-toxic. Have someone else hold the chin securely on his lap, bottoms up, and take a seat across from them. When working over these delicate parts, keep your fingers well greased with the hypoallergenic lubricant. GENTLY pull the penis completely out of its sheath, coating it with lubricant from your fingertips as you go. If a hair ring is present at the base of the penis, gently remove these wisps of fur, avoiding further constriction by pulling them away in small pieces. Once the hair ring has been removed, re-lubricate your fingers and gently massage the sheath back over the penis- if the sheath won't cover the entire length of the penis, that's OK! The chin will try to work it back in by himself later. DO NOT attempt to force the penis back into its sheath, definitely do NOT push on the penis AT ALL, it could be seriously damaged this way! Treating a Prolapsed Penis A prolapse is a penis that is dangling partway out of its sheath, sometimes it will appear bruised from knocking against the cage floor, usually it is red, swollen, and perhaps calloused. A prolapse can be the result of a hair ring, a prolonged aggravation caused by the chin trying to remove the hair ring, or intense irritation from the chin being too rough and rowdy during mating. It could take anywhere from one to three weeks for a prolapsed penis to return to its sheath, so follow these two steps and be patient: The chin should be put, alone, in a single level cage with no exercise wheel. Line the bottom of his cage with a dark-colored pillowcase (no strings, fringe or loose weave) that will need changed at least once daily. Out-of-cage exercise time on a carpeted surface where there are no obstacles that he could whack his penis against is just fine, and any recovery period is made better with some TV to watch during waking hours. This setup will prohibit the chin from mounting for either dominance or reproductive reasons, it will prevent further bruising and irritation to the penis, and the dark-colored pillowcase will make it easy to observe a wet spot that indicates the chinchilla is urinating properly. If you suspect that the chin isn't able to urinate, get him to an exotics specialist vet immediately! The main problem with a prolapse is that the swelling of the penis won't allow it to retract. For that reason, it's of great importance when treating a prolapse that you choose a product that will work best as a lubricant, not just a moisturizer. A lubricant will reduce the aggravating friction that occurs when the chin tries to work his penis back into its sheath, and eventually the swelling will decrease to the point that the chin will succeed and everything will return to normal. We recommend using petroleum jelly (Vaseline), for lubricating a prolapse because it will continue to be present even after some moisture (from the chin's mouth) comes into contact with it, plus it's a natural substance without man-made chemicals or additives (hypoallergenic) that could be harmful to consume. If petroleum jelly isn't available, try: Jojoba, Vitamin E oil, Aveeno or unscented | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
