Author Jo Ann
of Luv 'N Chins II
Chinchilla Sickness
How Will I Know When My Chin is Sick???
You may think this is a 'dumb' question, but no, it is a VERY important one! Many times you do not know until it is too late to save your little one. In the wild, a chinchilla that showed any signs of weakness, injury, or illness quickly became easy prey for predators. To protect themselves they would instinctively 'hide' any obvious signs of illness or injury. Unfortunately, they have retained this instinct, even today.
Have a qualified exotic pet vet before you get your chin! Take your chinchilla in when it is well so that your vet will have something to compare it to if you have to take your chin in for an illness.
Pay close attention to your chin's habits. Their changes in habits may be the first signs of illness! Make it a habit to have a routine you follow daily ... even a minor change in the routine can cause your chin to stress-out.
Please heed the following 'early warning' signs:
(1) Give them a fresh, clean bottle of water about the same time each day ... note the amount they drank. Did the amount of water consumed equal 25% less than normal? This can be one of the early signs of illness.
(2) Give them fresh food once or twice a day depending on your normal routine. Are they eating 25% less than normal? This can be one of the early signs of illness.
(3) Do their ears feel warm or are the veins showing in their ears? If so, they have a fever ... another warning sign.
(4) Are the eyes bright and shiny? If they are dull, watery, or have a white mucous in them they are sick.
(5) Are they sitting off in a corner, not being active? Something is wrong. They could be ill. Or, if caged with another chin, being bullied by the other chin, if so, separate them before a fight/injury occurs and keep an eye on them.
(6) Do they run to the door for attention as usual? If not, this can be an early sign of illness.
(7) Are the ears and/or eyes droopy? This could very well be a sign of illness.
(8) Are they more irritable and fussy than usual? This, also, can be a sign of a less obvious illness ... one that is not visually apparent yet, but makes them feel bad inside to the point they do not want to be bothered with you or their cage mate.
(9) Are the feces (poops) abnormal? Soft or runny? Finding them mashed on top of their huts or shelves? (Burnt toast will usually stop this within 24 hours if it is just stress.) Are they small and hard? (Sour kraut juice is a natural laxative for chins.) Fewer in number than normal? (They could be becoming 'blocked-up'/impacted in their intestines and getting dehydrated ... get them to a vet A.S.A.P.!) The 'poop problems' are all signs of illness, some more intensive than others ... it usually depends on the duration of the problem ... if you can not 'fix' it in the first 24 hours, a vet is needed.
(10) Do they refuse a treat they usually love? They are sick!
Basically, know your chin! Anything out of the norm that is not up-beat and happy can be a sign of illness. Chinchillas are normally very healthy if properly cared for but they will, on rare occasions, get sick.
 | What and When to do Something
If You Think Your Chin is Sick |
Get them to a qualified vet IMMEDIATELY!!! Not tomorrow or later in the week ... NOW! By the time you realize your chin is sick it is usually already very sick! When a chin is sick, treatment can not wait or be put-off. As my vet said, “I thought Guinea pigs went down fast ... they have nothing over chinchillas. Chinchillas 'go-down' faster than any animal I know." ('Go-down' is just another term for getting sicker faster or dying.)
When you get your chin to the vet, be prepared to answer most or all of the questions under "How Will I Know When My Chin is Sick". If you take your chin in and say "It's just not acting right/normal." How is your vet to know what is 'normal' or 'not right' for your chin? Only you know that. Your chinchilla can not speak for itself ... you must be able to do so! Know your chin and its normal habits so you can help the vet get him/her well as quickly as possible! Show your chin you love it as much as it loves you!
|
|
