Chinchilla Husbandry & Diseases Flashcards
What 3 pocket pets are a part of the hystrichomorpha suborder?
guinea pigs
chinchillas
nutria
What are the 3 main differences between hystrichomorphs and myomorphs?
- hystrichomorphs have longer gestation
- hystrichomorphs produce PRECOCIOUS offspring at birth
- hystrichomorphs have cellular membranes that close over the vaginal opening and only open during estrus and parturition.
what order are chinchillas a part of?
rodentia
where are chinchillas from geographically?
South America
Do chinchilla teeth continue to grow throughout their lifetime?
Yes – incisors and molars are open rooted and continue to grow throughout their lifetime.
T/F: Presence of a small bump on the first digit of the back foot in chinchillas is abnormal and indicative of bumblefoot
false – this is normal finding.
what is the lifespan of a chinchilla?
10-20 years (longest of the pocket pets)
T/F: chinchillas weigh less than guinea pigs
true
T/F: chinchillas are known for producing large amounts of urine
false – small outputs.
What is the normal appearance of chinchilla urine
can be yellow, orange, or red
Chinchillas are similar to hamsters in that they are nocturnal or crepuscular. How are chinchillas different than hamsters in regard to sleeping?
they are easily aroused and less likely to be aggressive
T/F: chinchillas exhibit a wide variety of sounds and this is considered normal behavior
true
what is the best way to handle chinchillas?
grab by base of tail and support there back end.
or wrap them like a burrito
what is the diet of a chinchilla?
they are strict herbivore hindgut fermenters.
They need to eat HIGH fiber, LOW energy diets + hay.
Why would a chinchilla NOT be happy if you kept them near an open window in the summer months?
they enjoy temps between 60-70, and can get heat stroke above 75-80 F. They do not want to be in direct sunlight.
T/F: wire cages are good for chinchillas
false – they need solid bottom cages. glass is NOT recommended though. they should be bigger vertically than horizontally.
How often to chinchillas need dust baths?
1-2x / week at minimum
remember not to keep the bath in the cage because they will use it as a litter box.
what type of wheel is appropriate for a chinchilla?
solid wheels or running discs that are NOT made of wire.
how do you sex chinchillas?
anogenital distance
Larger in males
how long is the estrous cycle in female chinchillas?
38-40 days
how long is chinchilla gestation?
111 days
T/F: chinchilla young are born precocial
true
they still nurse from the mom though, but begin eating solids around 1-3 weeks of age and wean at 6-8 weeks.
T/f: chinchillas have a vaginal closure membrane present when not in estrus or parturition
true
What location does fur chewing / barbering typically occur?
hindquarters and back
they chewer is the stressed individual.
what is the tx for fur chewing / barbering?
alleviate stress.
what is the cause of malocclusion in chinchillas?
inappropriate diet or lack of adequate chewing surfaces
when you trim malocclusions in chinchillas, what is different compared to other pocket pets?
their recovery is much slower and more painful. they may need supportive care.
what causes pododermatitis in chinchillas?
lack of soft, solid surfaces to rest on (wire cages)
what is the tx for pododermatitis in chinchillas?
antibiotics and drainage (if needed)
chlorhex foot soak
change bedding to something softer or add solid resting areas.
what is the tx for fur/hair rings in male chinchillas?
remove the hair with lubrication and water.
what is the most common skin disease in chinchillas?
dermatophytosis (ring worm)
what is the tx for dermatophytosis in chinchillas?
topical antifungal foot powder (tinactin)
how do you diagnose dermatophytosis?
skin scrape and microscopic eval.
what are 3 safe antibiotics in chinchillas?
- TMS
- chloramphenicol
- enrofloxacin
what is different about prognosis/tx for trauma or fractures in chinchillas than other pocket pets?
they are not tolerant of splints or external stabilization methods, so amputation is necessary in most cases.
T/F: degloving in uncommon in chinchillas.
true
