Chinchilla is a rodent which inhabits the Andes mountains of Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. Chinchillas are bred in captivity since 1923 mainly for their hides. Today they are grown for two reasons: the pet and fur.
Chinchilla Nutrition
A number of preparations for the chinchilla pellets, but can not always find them at your local store. Suitable substitute food for chinchillas are granulated food for rabbit and guinea pig. Chinchilla eat while keeping your food with paws and throw it often and wasted a lot of food. To supplement their food can be given hay, but not lucerne because of its high calcium content compared to phosphorus. It is very important that any hay, which gives the chinchilla is clean, not a musty, dirty, or is treated with chemicals!
Dried fruit and nuts are very good supplement to the diet of chinchillas, and this is particularly true for the raisins. Fresh carrots and green vegetables can also be assigned to them, but do not overdo the quantities. It must be remembered that these dietary supplements must be less than 10% of food intake.
Chinchillas should be provided to drink water from bottles with valves. Water we provide them is clean, because many could easily become a source of infection.
Infectious diseases in chinchillas
Enteritis (intestinal infection)
Enteritis is one of the most common diseases in chinchillas. In many cases, can not determine the cause of it. In the same symptoms occurring with enteritis agents: bacteria, viruses and protozoa. The most frequent causes are Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium, E. coli and Giardia. Clinical symptoms of this disease range from depression to death. When chinchillas are often manifested diarrhea, but it is not compulsory symptom. Other signs of the disease are loss of appetite, partial paralysis, painful abdomen. The cause of enteritis can be determined by examination of faeces. At the first signs of the disease should seek help from a vet and start treatment, because very often the outcome can be fatal.
Pneumonia (respiratory infection)
Pneumonia is an inflammation of the airways. In chinchillas pneumonia are common and their causes are most often Bordetella, Pasteurella, Pseudomonas and E. coli. Wet and dirty cells are prerazpolagashti reasons for this disease. Clinical symptoms are leaks from the nose and eyes, loss of appetite and ruffled hair. The outcome of this disease can be fatal. At the first signs of the disease should seek help from a veterinarian and to begin treatment. Treatment includes supportive care and antibiotics.
Ringworm
Trichophyton mentagrophytes is a typical cause of ringworm in chinchillas. In this disease there is loss of hair and red lesions on the nose, feet and around the eyes. This is a serious disease and it seriously damages the hair of infected chinchillas. Treatment is prescribed by a veterinarian after evidence of disease.
Noncommunicable diseases
Drool
This condition is characterized by continuous leakage of saliva on the skin of the chin of chinchillas. Other symptoms include loss of appetite, mouth sores and loss of skin under the chin. The main reason is many adult molars. Mineral imbalance that leads to poor growth of molars leads to disease. Interim treatment includes trimming of the affected teeth and giving mineral supplements. Provision
of timber and mineral blocks for chewing can prevent this disease, but
it is uncertain because it is transmitted genetically.
In Chinchillas also met alone to chew their fur. Some of the main reasons for this behavior is boredom, dirty fur, dietary imbalances and hereditary factors. This is a major problem in the skin industry. To address this problem is necessary to ensure animal toys that they can chew.
High temperatures and high humidity is not tolerated by chinchillas. Most problems arise when the cell is placed in direct sunlight and poorly ventilated area.
