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[Chindodo]

my chinchilla's eye is looking weird. i read other treads but can't find the same problem. his eye is partially closed. it's about 1/3 of the original size. and the hair around the eye is balding... there is no obvious discharge from the eye. and his activity level is not any different. i was wondering if there is something wrong with his eye. 




and if someone could suggest a good vet. around Los Angles County or San Bernardino County (specifically around walnut, diamond bar area) that would great.

[mylittlechinchilla]

Is there any wetness under the chin?  Teeth problems can cause eye issues..

[Jo Ann]

   #1  Only a vet can tell you for sure and it does need to be checked, if for no other reason, your peace of mind. 

What you describe could mean the beginning of many problems or the end result of several.

I just got through with one similar to what you describe. 
With chin in hand the licenced exotic pet vet had to:
1. Check the eye visually ...
    a.  eye opening slightly larger than 1/2 the opening of the other eye
    b.  no sign of pus, redness, blood or open wound
    c.  but what looked like a tiny bit of swelling just below the eye
    d.  a slight loss of fur about 1/8" wide just below the eye
    e.  the eye itself looked ever so slightly foggy
2. He examined the teeth with a lighted scope similar to a miniature scoop that allowed him to see the rear molars without expanding her mouth to wide.
    a.  the color of the teeth were a perfect yellow-orange
    b.  the length of the teeth were good
    c.  the alignment of the teeth were perfect, front and back
    {BIG sigh of relief - no signs of malocclusion!}
3. He then did a die stain exam of the and found
    a.  no ulceration of the eye
    b.  no tumors or cyst
    c.  no lacerations
4.  He did find:
    a.  scar tissue probably from an old scratch or injury that had built up over time
    b.  she is blind or partially blind in that eye due to the fact part of the iris is not exposed to the light
    c.  the eye is slightly dryer than normal
Conclusion:
    As a safety precaution we are treating the eye with a topical antibiotic 3 x a day for 10 days.
    During the 10 days, she will not be allowed to have a dust bath.
    She will need eye drops 3 x a day forever, to avoid chances of infection by anything that might get into the eye.

We were extremely lucky that it was nothing very serious, BUT, it could have become serious, if she had not gone to see the vet. 
Without having the daily eye drops that she will need from now on, the eye could have been open to lots of complications.   
Because I did go and will make sure the eye is taken care of daily, she should have no problems.   

When in doubt ... check it out!

   Jo Ann

PS Take your check book ... that visit cost me $108 ... I feel lucky it was not more.

[Chindodo]

thank you very much for the response. i'm currently still trying to find a good chin vet, but he looks normal now. i'm still going to take him to the vet as soon as i find a vet i can trust so i can be sure that he is okay.

quick question, where could i get eye drops for my chin?

[mylittlechinchilla]

I don't think you will be able to get any eye drops without a vet.  It could be an eye infection or my best guess is teeth, if it is the teeth, I wouldn't waste any time.

[ABC Chinchillas]

some releaf may be provided by a wash cloth with warm water and epsum salt compress. You mix some epsum salt into warm water (slightly warm not hot) and dip the wash cloth in and hold it against the eye. This will not make the chinchilla better but may make it feel a little better. The eye could be so many things it could be a sinus infection, it could be an eye injury, it could be teeth issues until you get to a vet you won't know but that could help. saline eye drops wouldn't hurt either.

[Jo Ann]

   Finding a good exotic pet vet, that is familiar with chinchillas, is not always easy, that is why it is best to find one before you get your chinchilla.   

That time is passed and no sense in getting upset over spilt milk ... but ... now, that you know how important it can be, it is your responsibility to your chin, to find a qualified vet a.s.a.p.

Chinchillas in the wild would have to hide their injuries or illnesses or become quick prey for predators.  They still, to this day, have that same 'instinct' they formed decades/centuries ago.  In that time, it served them well  ... until they could heal naturally or find their own herbs they needed to get well ... but in today's time, it can cost them their lives if you do not see they get proper care immediately.

   I'm glad your chin's eye looks better now, but ... that may have been just a little warning that you need to find a good, chinchilla qualified, exotic pet vet now ... the next time you might not be so lucky.  When a chinchilla needs to be seen by a vet, it needs to be seen immediately, not later.    Tomorrow, could easily be 'the next time'.


   Jo Ann

[Jenova]

While we're on the topic of eyes, Snake has done something to hers. I checked on my girls and gave them some fuss but Chong started to get jealous so I took him out for a cuddle. I usually take him over to see Cheech so they can rub noses and I noticed Snake's eye was all swollen and closed up. It must have happened in a matter of minutes while I was in the room. It's both eyelids that are swollen and there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the eye its self thre is a tiny, tiny bit of gunk. I've been cleaning it with salt water and I intend to go to the vets if it doesn't clear up, I think she might just have knocked it... any ideas?

[Jo Ann]

   Swelling and 'gunk' (the gunk could be pus) are not a good signs.  Both can be a sign of infection and inflammation, neither of which are good for a chinchilla.  Swelling and possible infection that close to the brain is definitely not a good thing to have happen to your chin.  It needs to see an exotic pet vet a.s.a.p.

   Jo Ann

[Jenova]

I'm just about to leave for the vets now. It's started to look a little better but I' not gonna risk it. She is playing on it though... she's quite happy to open her eye until either me or my partner goes to have a look at her and then she closes it. Lol, they're such kids.