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[jamesd90]

I am relativly new at this and Im learning so MUCH from being a member on here! Thanks Guys!!! But quick question how often do you guys visit the vet just for check us? Its been worrying that Im not taking them enough! 

[jmdebb]

hi there, nice to meet you.. i don't think i've seen you before..

anyways, there are people that have had chins much longer than me, but this is what i have always heard [i say it that way because some times people do have different opinions and i am not one of those people that think i am always right]

anyways, they do not need vet apts, however, i have heard alot of people do take them once a year for a general check up and pesronally i think that is a great idea.

my next piece of advice is to make sure you have a really good exotic vet.. good chin vets are super hard to find.  when i was calling around for vet many years ago, i actually came out and ask.. how experienced is this vet with chinchillas and also expressed i wanted a vet that could handle more then just the "easy" stuff... [ i didn't care if they got mad or not, my chins life is worth more than if they get mad at me..lol] and ya know, no one got offended, and everyone was honest, and many of them told me they weren't that experienced, so i just kept calling until i found an experienced one.. you might know this already, but i rambled just in case...

[1newChinmom1]

I'm new here too, and have had a dilly of a time finding a vet.  When I finally found a few possibles, I visited their clinic. I asked their receptionist  (who had to go in the back and get a vet) exactly how many chinchillas had been seen by that vet, and for what reasons, and how long they had been at this clinic. I also asked for the hours of the emergency numbers & if the CHINCHILLA-EXPERIENCED vet would be available at this number, at all times.
Only one made it through all these questions.  A couple had never even HELD a chinchilla,    even though their receptionist had assured me on the phone that they had experienced Chin vets! 
Whatever you do, don't wait until you NEED a vet! Do your homework now, while you are clear headed and your new baby's life doesn't depend on it. 
Ultimately, ask yourself this question;  Does it feel right?
Would YOU want put your life in this vets hands? You should know your answer real quick!

The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know 

[jmdebb]

I'm new here too, and have had a dilly of a time finding a vet.   When I finally found a few possibles, I visited their clinic. I asked their receptionist  (who had to go in the back and get a vet) exactly how many chinchillas had been seen by that vet, and for what reasons, and how long they had been at this clinic. I also asked for the hours of the emergency numbers & if the CHINCHILLA-EXPERIENCED vet would be available at this number, at all times.
Only one made it through all these questions.  A couple had never even HELD a chinchilla,    even though their receptionist had assured me on the phone that they had experienced Chin vets!  
Whatever you do, don't wait until you NEED a vet! Do your homework now, while you are clear headed and your new baby's life doesn't depend on it.  
Ultimately, ask yourself this question;  Does it feel right?
Would YOU want put your life in this vets hands? You should know your answer real quick!

The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know  

ya know for just starting out, that is great advice. i was one of the ones that learned the hard way , on a sat when they weren't all open, it was an emergency and i started flipping out.. thats the day i also found forums and started to learn the correct day.  

anyways, i have to say i at least got lucky when i asked the receptionest they were alway good and truthful, i was told like i said ,,, they can just do general stuff.. okay.. thank you.. bye bye.. [i don't mean that sound rude, i was nice, i explained why and they totally understood]

anyways, i didn't really ask questions, but i think that is a great idea.. like do some research or ask us what type of questions to ask, and you can write them down and when you have enough to ask on, call one up or visit.. try to find a specialist.. but i will say this and its from personal experience.

just because its a specialist doesn't mean he's the best, and just because he's not a specialist, doesn't mean they aren't great.  bascially the problem i had with that one specialist, i think, was because he was just too darn old and he needed to retire.. i know in his day he had a good rep.. but boy did i have problems with him and if i wasn't paying attention, my noel would be dead.

i have since found another exoctic vets office, they do more exotics over cats and dogs from what they say.. its a 45 minute drive from me, and from what i hear from some, i'm lucky because some people have to drive 2 hours.  

I also have another vet, and this is the one i frequent, that isn't a specialist, and as a matter of fact she admits not many chinchillas come into that office, but let me tell you i would recommend her to anyone.. she is good, has always been right on the ball everytime i had a problem, plus has a great bedside manner... i love her!!!  and thankfully she is only about 20 min away..

have i bored you guys yet... i hope not..

okay one more thing..and again this one i can say threw experience as i said above, i really recommend finding one before you need one, because there are times, when you need to get to a vet NOW or it will be too late.. chins go downhill quickly sometimes.. i lost one because i didn't rush her to the vet and i will never forget that.  i should of gotten her there the second i noticed something wasn't right with her.. to be honest, i'm not sure why i didn't.  i did always hear go to the vet asap, but there is so much controversy with alot of things, i think i just thought she will be okay.  [i'm used to dogs and cats, if they get sick, they can wait a day or two before a vet appt and still be fine] so l learned again the hard way, that with chins, there isn't much time to seek care, they very easily can go downhill very very quick. i am not trying to scare you at all, i hope i am not, i am just telling you, so you or anyone else who reads this doesn't make the same mistake i did.. and i'm also not suggesting every time a chin acts funny, it's dying because i'm so not saying that either.. just saying it can and does happen

okay, i done!!!

jean

[Courtney]

I take them once a year for a full check up, blood work and all.

[Debbie.nl.ca]

I have never taken a chin in for a check up.
The only time I have is because of illness or injury I couldn't deal with on my own,and that has been pretty rare.
For the most part they are hearty healthy little critters when provided with proper care and nutrition.  

But yes making sure you have a good vet is the first step.

[wellmalt]

I am new here too and have spent the day looking for a vet in my area that has worked with chinchillas... I was surprised how few vets actually see small animals/exotics. It looks like I will have a choice between 3 (these are the ones I haven't called yet but I have heard that they do see chinchillas). A few vets had listed on thier website that they see exotics and small animals but when you call them they don't anymore. My chins are fine but I want to take them into a vet so I have a relationship with someone if they were to get sick.
Laura

[jmdebb]

unfortunately laura it is very very hard to find really good vets that have extensive knowledge when it comes to chins.. thats why i try to tell people if it comes up, to find one before they need one... ugh!!!  with all the exoctics that have been taken out of their natural habitit [which does bother me, i have to say that] you would think we would have more exoctic vets.. anyways... all we can do is the best we can do for them!!

debbie. i'm just curious, have you had many illness. just illnesses, not injuries..just wondering becasue of all the chins you have.. and i'm also wondering what do you think the average time span is for a chin to go before one might get sick. i mean i know no one can ever predict anything, and i know if you feed them right..etc.. they should stay healthy..etc, but i'm thinking that eventually someone will get sick... or is that wrong thinking.

like would it be normal to have some chins for like six or seven years and never have any problems at all? 

thanks