Chinchillas Flashcards by Karalee Wagner

What is the binomial nomenclature of chinchillas?

Chinchilla langier

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Where do chinchillas originate?

Andes Mountains of South America in Peru and Chile

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What are chinchilla’s native habitats?

Cold and rocky slopes

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What is the average lifespan of a chinchilla?

10-20 years

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What is the external anatomy of a chinchilla?

Very dense fur covering the entire body, short front legs to support/hold food, and large powerful legs designed for jumping.

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How many hairs can come from each individual root of a chinchilla?

Up to 90

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What is the dental formula for chinchillas?

2(I 1/1, C 0/0, P 1/1, M 3/3)

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What type of roots do chinchilla’s teeth have and why is it important?

Open roots—grow continuously, the correct position is crucial.

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What helps distinguish chinchillas from each other?

Palatal ridges—similar to a fingerprint in humans

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A chinchilla’s stomach is similar to what animals?

Horse and pig

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What is the longest portion of a chinchilla’s digestive tract?

Jejunum

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Where is the cecum of a chinchilla located?

The left side, similar to other rodents.

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What is unique about the female reproductive/urinary tract of chinchillas?

No labial folds present

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What is unique about the male reproductive/urinary tract of chinchillas?

No scrotum, testicles are considered incomplete.

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When do chinchilla’s experience their first heat cycle?

3-4 months

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What is the gestation period for chinchillas?

110-138 days

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What is a chinchilla’s number of young per pregnancy?

1-3

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What is a chinchilla’s litter frequency?

1-2 per year

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T/F? Chinchillas are born precocial.

True

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If a chinchilla is not bred, how soon does a female return to heat?

q25-30 days

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What are the important aspects of a chinchilla’s husbandry?

Intolerant of heat and humidity, teeth grow constantly so they need ample objects for gnawing, and daily dust baths (1-2 inches deeps, do not leave in cage)

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What type of diet do chinchillas have?

Herbivores

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What are the key aspects of a chinchilla’s diet?

Large amounts of roughage, coprophagic, quality hay, pellets, SMALL amounts of fruits, veggies, seeds, and grains, and fresh water (bottle preferred over bowl).

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Are chinchillas susceptible to dental disease on all of their teeth?

Yes

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What are results of dental disease in chinchillas?

Ulcers on buccal mucosa and tongue

What are clinical signs of dental disease in chinchillas?

Drooling, pawing at the mouth, weight loss, poor coat, anorexia, decreased stool, constipation, and lethargy.

What are some causes of dental disease in chinchillas?

It can be genetic or they may not have enough roughage.

What can help treat dental disease in chinchillas? (ESPECIALLY in cases of hereditary problems)

Teeth trimming

What is the leading cause of skin disease in chinchillas? Give examples.

Poor husbandry—bite wounds, trauma, fur chewing, unthrifty coat, small cage, inadequate access to dust baths, or incompatible animals.

What is dermatophytosis?

Contaminated hay or bedding. Scaly circular areas of hair loss on the face, feet, and ears.

What can occur due to improper handling of a chinchilla?

Fur slip

What are common gastrointestinal diseases of chinchillas?

Choke, bloat, trichobezoar (hairballs), enteritis, and constipation

What are symptoms of a chinchilla choking?

Salivation, anorexia, and dyspnea

What are causes to bloat in chinchillas?

Inappropriate diet, sudden change in diet, dental disease, poor husbandry, stress, or pain

What are some symptoms of bloat in chinchillas?

Distended and painful abdomen, dyspnea, reluctant to move.

What can cause a chinchilla to have trichobezoars (hairballs)?

Excess fur chewing and low dietary fiber

What symptoms can chinchillas with trichobezoars display?

Lethargy, reluctant to move and anorectic (lacking appetite)

How can a chinchilla with trichobezoars be treated?

Fluid therapy, feline laxatives, increase dietary fiber (+/-), assist feed if necessary with Oxbow herbivore critical care.

What is one of the most important factors when discussing chinchilla care?

Proper diet

What is enteritis?

Inflammation of the intestines

What are causes of enteritis in chinchillas?

Not enough hay/poor quality hay, large amounts of pellets, fruits/veggies/treats cause a change in the normal flora of the GI tract.

What is a result of a chinchilla with enteritis?

Alteration of motility in the gut, pathogenic bacteria, parasitic infections, constipation, impactions, intussusceptions, and rectal prolapse.

How can a chinchilla with enteritis be treated?

Fluid therapy, pain meds, +/- antibiotics, +/- anti-parasitics.

What is pneumonia?

Inflammation of the lungs

What usually occur when a chinchilla has pneumonia?

Poor husbandry and animals housed in large numbers.

What are clinical signs of pneumonia?

Depression, dyspnea, and nasal discharge.

What does the treatment protocol for pneumonia in chinchillas include?

Antibiotics and nebulization

What neurological disease are chinchillas highly susceptible to?

Listeria monocytogenes

Is Listeria monocytogenes likely to be exposed to pet chinchillas?

What are clinical signs of Listeria monocytogenes?

Ataxia and circling, usually followed by convulsions and death

What is the treatment protocol for Chinchillas with Listeria monocytogenes?

No treatment, ineffective once clinical signs are noticed.

What penile disorder are male chinchillas susceptible to? How can a technician find this problem?

Fur rings, which is an accumulation of fur wrapped around the penis. A physical exam should include manually everting the penis from the prepuce.

What are possible secondary complications to fur rings?

Balanoposthatitis (infection of the prepuce and glans penis) and paraphimosis (swelling/inflammation of the prepuce and glans penis)

T/F? Chinchillas are not prone to heat stroke.

False, they are VERY prone to heat stroke

What temperature should be avoided in a chinchillas enclosure?

Any temperature above 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26.7C) with high humidity

Where should you avoid housing a chinchilla?

Near windows, direct sunlight, heater vents, and cars

What is Baylisascaris procyonis?

A nematode in contaminated hay, infecting the cerebrospinal fluid causing ataxia, torticollis, and paralysis.

Are there treatments for Baylisascaris procyonis?

Are chinchillas nocturnal or diurnal?

Nocturnal

Do chinchillas bite?

Yes, but rarely

What type of wire is suitable for a chinchilla enclosure?

Welded wire

What surfaces do chinchillas need for resting?

Flat, with no wires

Before doing a physical exam on a chinchilla, what should be ensured in the room?

All doors closed, room secure (ceiling tiles, under cabinets, etc.) before removing the patient from the cage.

Where should you hold a chinchilla?

One hand is at the base of the tail and hind legs while the other supports the chest and shoulder. Get low to prevent injury if the patient should jump.

TPR on a chinchilla?

97-102*F, 200-300BPM, 40-80RPM

Average weight of a chinchilla

400-600g. Females > males

What is the preferred type of anesthesia for a chinchilla and how can it be administered?

Isoflurane and sevoflurane via face mask or induction chamber

What are some types of injectable anesthetics for chinchillas?

Midazolam, diazepam, xylazine, ketamine, butorphanol, and acepromazine

What is the most notable difference in a radiograph of a chinchilla?

Fairly small thorax in comparison to the abdomen

Should fecals be done in pet chinchillas?

Yes, parasites are uncommon but still possible

Where is the cranial vena cava located in chinchillas?

Between the manubrium and 1st rib

What are the steps of a caval venipuncture in a chinchilla?

Gather your equipment (25g needle), feel at the junction between the manubrium and first rib, insert needle at a 45 degree angle pointed at the opposite foot. Draw back SLOWLY, vein is easily collapsible.

What are the sites for IV catheterization in a chinchilla?

Cephalic preferred, lateral saphenous is also possible

What are the sites for IO catheter in a chinchilla?

Femur or tibia, femur preferred due to size and location.

What needle should be used for IO catheterization in chinchillas?

22g spinal needle with heparin

What size needle should be used for subQ, IM, and IV medication administration in chinchillas?

25g, 25-28g for IV (lateral or saphenous)

How many mLs can be given IM for chinchillas?

<0.3ml/site

What are the steps to a euthanasia for a chinchilla?

Anesthetize first, administer euthanasia agent IV, may do IC if necessary.