Chinchillas

Question 1

Chinchillas belong to class Mammalia, order_____ and family ___

Answer 1

Order rodentia

Family chinchillidae

Question 2

True or false

Chinchillas incisors and molars grow continuously through life

Answer 2

True

Question 3

What is “fur slipping”

Answer 3

Very dense hair coat that is capable of letting go when frightened

A whole patch of hair will fall off

Question 4

True or false

Like rabbits and Guinea pigs, chinchillas produce cecotrophs

Answer 4

True

Question 5

What is different about a male chinchilla’s scrotum

Answer 5

They do not have a true scrotum, just an out pocketing of the abdominal wall

Question 6

How many cervices and uterine horns do female chinchillas have

Answer 6

2 cervices

2uterine horns

Question 7

Describe the mammary glands of chinchillas

Answer 7

Both sexes have 3 pairs of mammary glands

Question 8

Why is sex determination difficult in chinchillas

Answer 8

both sexes have a large urinary papillae which can be confused for a penis which makes sex determination difficult

Question 9

What is the average life span of chinchillas

Answer 9

10 years

Question 10

Like rabbits, chinchillas are often seen with malocclusions, ___ ___ and ___ problems

Answer 10

Jaw abscesses and GI problems

Question 11

Why are chinchillas prone to heat stroke

Answer 11

Adapted to a cooler environment and cannot dissipate heat well

Question 12

Why is trauma common in chinchillas

Answer 12

Very flighty and active and bones are long with a thin and brittle cortex

Fractured tibia is the most common seen in chinchillas

Question 13

Describe housing husbandry for chinchillas

Answer 13

Very curious, quick, agile and can jump very well

Need a large cage with a solid floor, hiding area, and different levels for jumping

Not a good idea to have connective ladders between levels -they cause engagement and injury But can have solid ramps

Keep in cool/dry area with no direct sunlight (65-75 F)

Put at least one side of the cage against a wall for less exposure and feeling of safety

Substrate: newspaper or aspen shavibgs

Use pottery for dishes (easy to clean and they cannot chew them)

Use a water bottle (clean and change daily)

Question 14

Why can chinchillas not use exercise balls

Answer 14

Causes stress and over heating and does not enable them to jump

Question 15

True or false

Chinchillas are great swimmers

Answer 15

FALSE

they cannot swim, be very careful around bodies of water

Question 16

Describe the use of dust baths for chinchillas

Answer 16

Use a shallow bowl or pan they can run in/out of and roll in

Offer 2-3 times per week

Buy chinchilla dust at the pet store

Question 17

Describe handling of chinchillas

Answer 17

Handle very gently (fur slipping)

Support body with one hand around the thorax and other hand supporting the rump with one finger wrapped around the tail

Can be lifted by their tail if needed (for frightened or less socialized individuals and will not cause fur slip)

NEVER lift by the ears
NEVER scruff
NEVER make a sudden grab

Use a towel on tables for grip

Question 18

Describe giving medications to chinchillas

Answer 18

Per os preferred over injections

Use the quadriceps for injections if needed (wet fur with warm water at injection site to help avoid fur slip)

Question 19

Describe blood collection in chinchillas

Answer 19

Veins difficult to access

Use lateral saphenous with a 25G needle and tuberculin syringe

Collect a max of 0.5 ml/100 g BW

Can use jugular or femoral vein or cranial vena cava for later volumes (these require sedation)

Question 20

Describe fluid therapy in chinchillas

Answer 20

IV catheters are difficult to place

SQ fluids: 3-4 mL

IO fluids: into the femur (requires sedation)

IP cavity: carful to avoid Ascites

Question 21

Describe general anesthesia in chinchillas

Answer 21

Mask down

Do not use premedication (causes muscle necrosis)

Only fast 2-4 hours (hypoglycemia risk otherwise)

Clean cheeks prior to GA

Difficult to intubate

Prone to hypothermia (provide a heat source during and post)

Wrap in a towel during recover (prevents them from bolting before fully recovered)

Question 22

What are the methods of urine collection in chinchillas

Answer 22

Cystocentesis
Free catch
Floor collection

Question 23

What should be used in radiographs of chinchillas

Answer 23

Sedation and positioning aids