Chinchillas Flashcards
Genus and species of Chinchillas?
Chinchilla lanigera (hystricomorph)
Hystricomorph in British English. 1. any rodent of the suborder Hystricomorpha, which includes porcupines, cavies, agoutis, and chinchillas.
Laniger = wooly
Chinchillas normally have white (depigmented) teeth. T or F
False. They are normally yellow-orange. Lack of color associated with calcium deficient diet.
List dental formula
Elodont 2(I1/1, C0/0, PM1/1, M3/3)
Females have a closed vaginal membrane that is only open at what times?
Estrus (2-4 days) and parturition.
During estrus, mucoid vaginal discharge and vulvar swelling develops. T or F
False. Only mucoid vaginal discharge. No swelling.
Length of gestation
~111 days
Weaning age
6-8 weeks
What testing models are Chinchillas used for?
Middle ear sampling using a transbullar approach
Most common bacteria causing conjunctivitis
P. aeruginosa, followed by Staph spp.
What is asteroid hyalosis?
lipid calcium particles that form in the vitreous humor as part of a degenerative process in older chinchillas
Most common urinary tract disorder
Urolithiasis. Cause unknown. Not caused by dietary calcium because of excess calcium excreted in feces of chinchillas
Paraphimosis secondary to balenoposthitis is caused by what bacteria?
P aeruginosa.
Paraphimosis can also be caused by fur rings
Phimosis (inability to protrude glans penis from prepuce) is commonly caused by what?
Preputial abscess
What 3 characteristics of the chinchilla make it ideal for otologic research (specifically otitis media)?
Large tympanic bullae, large tympanic membrane, short and simple external ear canal
Antibiotic commonly used to treat otitis media.
Azithromycin. Note: many biofilms in middle ear make treatment with antibiotics difficult. Always do culture and sensitivity. Usually P. aeruginosa
Ambient temperature range for chinchillas?
65-80F with low humidity.
Most common cause of ringworm
Trichophyton mentagrophytes.
Scaly patches of alopecia behind ear and on feet.
Can a UV light be used to diagnosis T. mentagrophytes?
No, it does not fluoresce.
Name a maladaptive displacement disorder of Chinchillas in breeding facilities?
Fur chewing.
Reduce stress.
Fluoxetine had limited help.
Common protocozol infection in research facilities (non-pathogenic)
Giardia duodenalis
Cyniclomyces guttulatus is a normal intestinal yeast in Chinchillas. T or F
True
What does it mean to have an anangiotic retina?
Neurosensory retina lacks blood vessels.
Chinchillas also can have a myelinated or nonmyelinated optic disc, they lack a tapetum, and have focal cupping of optic nerve.
They generally lack menase or dazzle response.
How many lacrimal punctae does a chinchilla have?
2 (rabbits have 1)
