Chinchilla Husbandry & Diseases

Question 1

What 3 pocket pets are a part of the hystrichomorpha suborder?

Answer 1

guinea pigs
chinchillas
nutria

Question 2

What are the 3 main differences between hystrichomorphs and myomorphs?

Answer 2

1. hystrichomorphs have longer gestation
2. hystrichomorphs produce PRECOCIOUS offspring at birth
3. hystrichomorphs have cellular membranes that close over the vaginal opening and only open during estrus and parturition.

Question 3

what order are chinchillas a part of?

Answer 3

rodentia

Question 4

where are chinchillas from geographically?

Answer 4

South America

Question 5

Do chinchilla teeth continue to grow throughout their lifetime?

Answer 5

Yes – incisors and molars are open rooted and continue to grow throughout their lifetime.

Question 6

T/F: Presence of a small bump on the first digit of the back foot in chinchillas is abnormal and indicative of bumblefoot

Answer 6

false – this is normal finding.

Question 7

what is the lifespan of a chinchilla?

Answer 7

10-20 years (longest of the pocket pets)

Question 8

T/F: chinchillas weigh less than guinea pigs

Answer 8

true

Question 9

T/F: chinchillas are known for producing large amounts of urine

Answer 9

false – small outputs.

Question 10

What is the normal appearance of chinchilla urine

Answer 10

can be yellow, orange, or red

Question 11

Chinchillas are similar to hamsters in that they are nocturnal or crepuscular. How are chinchillas different than hamsters in regard to sleeping?

Answer 11

they are easily aroused and less likely to be aggressive

Question 12

T/F: chinchillas exhibit a wide variety of sounds and this is considered normal behavior

Answer 12

true

Question 13

what is the best way to handle chinchillas?

Answer 13

grab by base of tail and support there back end.
or wrap them like a burrito

Question 14

what is the diet of a chinchilla?

Answer 14

they are strict herbivore hindgut fermenters.
They need to eat HIGH fiber, LOW energy diets + hay.

Question 15

Why would a chinchilla NOT be happy if you kept them near an open window in the summer months?

Answer 15

they enjoy temps between 60-70, and can get heat stroke above 75-80 F. They do not want to be in direct sunlight.

Question 16

T/F: wire cages are good for chinchillas

Answer 16

false – they need solid bottom cages. glass is NOT recommended though. they should be bigger vertically than horizontally.

Question 17

How often to chinchillas need dust baths?

Answer 17

1-2x / week at minimum

remember not to keep the bath in the cage because they will use it as a litter box.

Question 18

what type of wheel is appropriate for a chinchilla?

Answer 18

solid wheels or running discs that are NOT made of wire.

Question 19

how do you sex chinchillas?

Answer 19

anogenital distance

Larger in males

Question 20

how long is the estrous cycle in female chinchillas?

Answer 20

38-40 days

Question 21

how long is chinchilla gestation?

Answer 21

111 days

Question 22

T/F: chinchilla young are born precocial

Answer 22

true
they still nurse from the mom though, but begin eating solids around 1-3 weeks of age and wean at 6-8 weeks.

Question 23

T/f: chinchillas have a vaginal closure membrane present when not in estrus or parturition

Answer 23

true

Question 24

What location does fur chewing / barbering typically occur?

Answer 24

hindquarters and back

they chewer is the stressed individual.

Question 25

what is the tx for fur chewing / barbering?

Answer 25

alleviate stress.

Question 26

what is the cause of malocclusion in chinchillas?

Answer 26

inappropriate diet or lack of adequate chewing surfaces

Question 27

when you trim malocclusions in chinchillas, what is different compared to other pocket pets?

Answer 27

their recovery is much slower and more painful. they may need supportive care.

Question 28

what causes pododermatitis in chinchillas?

Answer 28

lack of soft, solid surfaces to rest on (wire cages)

Question 29

what is the tx for pododermatitis in chinchillas?

Answer 29

antibiotics and drainage (if needed)
chlorhex foot soak
change bedding to something softer or add solid resting areas.

Question 30

what is the tx for fur/hair rings in male chinchillas?

Answer 30

remove the hair with lubrication and water.

Question 31

what is the most common skin disease in chinchillas?

Answer 31

dermatophytosis (ring worm)

Question 32

what is the tx for dermatophytosis in chinchillas?

Answer 32

topical antifungal foot powder (tinactin)

Question 33

how do you diagnose dermatophytosis?

Answer 33

skin scrape and microscopic eval.

Question 34

what are 3 safe antibiotics in chinchillas?

Answer 34

1. TMS
2. chloramphenicol
3. enrofloxacin

Question 35

what is different about prognosis/tx for trauma or fractures in chinchillas than other pocket pets?

Answer 35

they are not tolerant of splints or external stabilization methods, so amputation is necessary in most cases.

Question 36

T/F: degloving in uncommon in chinchillas.

Answer 36

true