Your chinchilla should be alert, bright, eating well and drinking normally. With any other animal When they are young or old they are more susceptible to illness as their resistance is lowered.
 
When you handle your chinchilla, it gives you the opportunity to examine them for any signs of illness. From what I have noticed they are very good at hiding when they are ill but when you know what you're looking for and have got to know your chinchilla, then you know when they are not right in them self.
 
 Some things to watch out for:
 
 * eating or drinking more or less than normal
 * restless or lethargic - or a crouched, huddled appearance
 * their coat looks dull, is soiled or itchy. Check for cuts and lumps
 * discharge from their eyes or nose
 * soiling around the vent with urine or faeces
 * more or less urine being produced or is an unusual colour
 * a nasty odour that is coming from their ears, mouth or vent
 * having trouble eating, drinking and moving
 * finding it hard to breath / raspy noises coming from their chest
 
Common Illnesses
 
It isn't always easy to tell if a chinchilla is sick as they are very hardy creatures. They can suffer from numerous conditions and illnesses which is why it is important to notice any signs that the chinchilla is sick. This is helped when you handle your chinchilla and groom them as this is were you are more likely to notice any problems they may have.
 
Mouth Problems
 
Chinchillas teeth keep growing though out their life and have to have something to chew on. This helps wear there teeth down. When their teeth are over grown they are unable to eat and as with other animals, if they don't eat they lose weight which will cause more problems. They become weak and they can then become more susceptible to illness. They may dribble when their teeth are over grown it is best for them to go to the vets so they can have their teeth trimmed.
 
Runny Nose
 
if your chinchilla has a runny nose it means he/she has a cold. Keeping them warm and making sure they are taking plenty of fluid (plenty of fresh water) should get him/her back on their feet. If they do not pick up it's best to take them to the vets.
 
 
Eye Problems
 
A healthily chinchilla's eyes are clear and sparkling. If your chinchilla has any eye problems i.e. their eyes have discharge or the eyelids are inflamed and sore, they may have an irritation or possible infection and must be treated at the vets.
 
Fur Problems
 
Chinchillas fur is very dense. One of the problems is fur fungus which makes their fur limp and messy. Some worse cases can cause their whiskers to break. Your chinchilla will need to go to the vets who will properly prescribe a fungicide powder which is put in with their sand bath. They have to be kept on their own so it isn't spread.
 
Ear problems
 
A healthy chinchillas ears are clear. If your chinchilla has an ear problem then you may notice some discharge or your chinchilla pawing at his/hers ears. There may be a lack of balance and/or direction. You should take your chinchilla to the vets and do not let him/her have a dust bath till he/she is well.
 
Constipation
 
Chinchillas can get constipation though stress, change in diet or lack of water. There will be lack of droppings and looking bloated. Make sure there is plenty of water and fibre available, it all helps. Exercise is a good thing when they are constipated and offer the dust bath a bit more frequently. If you are still worried and there is no change see your vet.
 
Diarrhoea
 
this is quite common can mean they are over eating, getting to many treats or have eaten something bad i.e. hay or pellets. This can also be down to stress, to much green food or change of diet. Advice from the vet may be required to ensure your chinchilla returns back to a healthy state.

 

gif image is copyright chinchillaburgh do not copy

Fur Fungus treatment

I speak from personal experience

This is about spike a Hetro beige chinchilla, he had fur fungus but is now on the road to recovery.

Here I will give a quick recap on how I noticed it and what happened from there.

Here I will give a quick recap on how I noticed it and what happened from there.

Not long after getting Spike I went up to look at the chins. I wanted to make sure they were ok as it was a hot summers day. I noticed there was some fur missing on his nose, I wasn't unduly worried at all at the time, I thought it was with him putting his nose though the cage bars as he often does and was losing the fur through rubbing it. I went to bed that evening still not feeling worried about it.

When I checked him the next afternoon, I noticed a lot of his fur was gone and the skin was looking sore and flaky. On seeing this I took him to the vets, I must say, I wasn't impressed with them at all. All they did was pick him up and just looked at him, didn't examine him at all. The vet gave me some hibiscrub to bath him in telling me to continue regularly, which I did for a few days but it was not doing any good. In fact, he was  getting worse and was still pretty sore.

I then took him my local vet whom I thought was more helpful as they did a better, more thorough examination of Spike.  Spike was prescribed some pills which I had to crush fully and put in 10ths. Stuff a raisin with it and see if he would eat it. I am happy to say he was happy to take it.

My friend who has previously said she would like to have Spike, still wanted him and said she would continue treatment. I am happy to report that Spike is in safe hands and is making a full recovery in Brands Hatch with his new family.

I love a happy ending, don't you?

         

      with Fur Fungus     After Fur Fungus

 Spike

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