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[Chins]

I noticed Ridley (my black moasic) pushing his penis out and grooming it (?). My husband said that his penile area looks darker than Saurumon (white). I assume it's because he's a darker color.

Ridley really looked like he was servicing himself, I'm not sure if this is normal behavior.
He does not seem to be in pain. He's eating and drinking normally.

Sometimes he's really active-running around, playing. Other times though he sits quietly even when he's out in the playpen.

We've taken him to the vet a few times for conjunctivitis and general exam.
Please help!

[dianah]

it's perfectly fine. he's cleaning himself to prevent any hair rings or any nasties accumulating inside of his sheath. don't worry i never see mine do it but chinchi used to do it a lot at one point (that's how we figured out he was a boy - he was supposed to be a girl!)

if there's any smell, discharge or if the penis is protruding (when he's not cleaning it), then there's a problem.

[jmdebb]

i catch chinny doing it alot.   

you should also check yourself once a month, a hair ring caught on their penis can be dangerous.

here is a vid i found on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BafuUFuO-oA&feature=related

[Chins]

Thank you! That's extremely helpful 

I haven't seen him do it before so I was extremely worried. We're paranoid because he's been somewhat susceptible to illness. 
The video is great so helpful.

I will keep updating.

[BambiLove]

i catch chinny doing it alot.   

you should also check yourself once a month, a hair ring caught on their penis can be dangerous.

here is a vid i found on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BafuUFuO-oA&feature=related

oh my gosh that chinchilla is super cute haha he was just sitting there and let her do a hair ring check. My boy would always try to jump. Like 10 times per hair ring check. 

[jmdebb]

to be honest, i can't do it either, i have tried and tried, but to no avail

[Chins]

lol i tried to do it today. It didn't take too many tries but it definitely wasn't easy.

Any tips on how to make the check as painless as possible?

[Debbie.nl.ca]

It's not painful they just don't want you too. 

Most will get used to it in time and not struggle so much.
When I have a squirmy one to check I wrap him snug in a blanket or towel like a baby and open at the site.
Most of mine I can cradle on my left forearm, holding them between my arm & waist with their little buts in my left hand face up.

[Chins]

Hey, that's a good idea lol
Not sure how that will work with my 2 boys but it's definitely worth a try.

Thanks for all the advice.


Ridley peed on me tonight during play time, I saw the squat but didn't think he would actually pee on me. Saurumon was sitting by my hand so some of the pee got on his underbelly fur. I cleaned it up but I'm wondering if it'll smell?

[jmdebb]

It's not painful they just don't want you too.  

Most will get used to it in time and not struggle so much.
When I have a squirmy one to check I wrap him snug in a blanket or towel like a baby and open at the site.
Most of mine I can cradle on my left forearm, holding them between my arm & waist with their little buts in my left hand face up.

i would they would want us to do it  

my problem is that, okay i don't mean to sound gross but i don't know how else to word it, i have been able to get down there, but i just can't get it out.

[dianah]

 

i think maybe it's because the sheath is a little longer than the penis. you could try to find the end of the penis, 'grab' that bit and pull the skin down from there, then keep going lower down. does that make any sense?

[Chins]

haha yea. that makes sense given the anatomy.

It's difficult nontheless since they're so squirmy. 

[dianah]

squirmy worms! i must say, after having to administer a lot of medication to chinchillas who didn't like to be held or, in mae's case, who tried to bite anything that came near her when i got her (she doesn't do that anymore, she's a sweet sweet girl now), i have worked out just how exactly to hold them.
i find that if i sit on the floor and have them on my lap against my tummy, they feel safe that they're not falling and their back is 'resting' against me. i don't lie them down upside down like the video - that chin is soooo chilled out! - i have them upright, slightly leaning back and hold them firmly around the tummy (careful with the floating ribs!) with one hand and do the check with another hand while sticking my head out so i can see.

i know. not easy.