Living and Management The chinchilla undergoing treatment for metritis should be given proper care, including rest in a quiet and calm environment and a well-balanced diet. A veterinarian can give medicine that causes uterine contractions and forces out the infected debris. The rest of the time is spent playing and foraging. Now she is merging her two passions to create chinchilla expert care guides to help other chinchilla owners. Most people think that Alpha males among the chinchilla circle are very aggressive but this is generally not the case. UTIs can similarly make bumblefoot worse. Every chinchillas make a variety of different sounds use to communicate, and a good chinchilla owner needs to know what their chinchillas are trying to communicate to them. Many owners will simply trim their whiskers off to remove this aggressive nature. Chinchillas pee or urinate like any other animal. ).Many owners also note that their chinchillas can be naughty and will let out a high-pitched scream like this when they want attention, so its once again important to read your chinchillas body language once you enter the room. One sure sign that tells you a chinchilla is expecting babies is when you notice little red spots on their belly they are feeding nipples. Infections can spread around the body, so even a relatively simple or unimportant infection in the feet can cause sepsis. These are patches of skin and tissue that have died due to being put under constant pressure. Youll need new ones. Annual vet visits will help keep your chinchilla in the best health, but not all vets are trained in chinchilla care. Before we dive in, lets celebrate by learning some fun facts about these incredible animals:There are two species of chinchillas: short-tailed and long-tailedChinchillas hailfrom South America and arecommonly found in the Andes Mountains at altitudes 12,000 feet and aboveThey arepart of therodentfamilyThey arehindgutfermentersand produce two different types ofstool,one of which they ingest!Chinchillas were named after theChinchapeopleof the AndesWild chinchillas are listed as an endangered species due to hunting andhabitatdegradationChinchillas have the thickest fur of any land mammal with 60-70 hairs per follicle (humans only have 1 per follicle)They can jump 5-6 feet verticallyChinchillas should not get wet but bathe in fine dust/ash to clear away dirt and distribute their natural oilsA domestic chinchillas lifespan can be 15-20 yearsThey are scientifically the cutest exotic companion mammal (okay, this one is subjective but just look at them)Common ChinchillaProblemsOne characteristic that can set chinchillas up for a plethora of health issues is their highly sensitive digestive tracts. This quiz features questions on every topic of chinchilla care, from behavior to nutrition. If your chinchilla passed away and you found lots of blood around its cage, you could ask your vet for a necropsy. Chinchillas dont have periods, so you should never see blood around or coming from your female chinchillas rear end. When dietsdeviate from high fiber and lean towardsmoresimplecarbohydrates(sugars and starches),severalhealthissuescanarise.Dental IssuesChinchillasteeth areall open rooted which means they arecontinuously growing and need substrate to wearthem down. If you dont already have one, search online for a local exotic small animal vet who has experience treating chinchillas. You should take your pet to the vet if it has fresh blood in its fur. Is My Dogs Vagina Swollen? Theories about why chinchillas chew on their hair include stress, hormone imbalances, dietary deficiencies, underlying dental problems, boredom, the presence of other (parasitic or fungal) skin infections, and a genetic predisposition. Morgan has been a professional copywriter for over five years. In some cases, crying sounds like screaming as a chinchilla sound. This will be the basic first aid until you can get your chinchilla into a Vet with experience with small exotics. Female chinchillas dont have periods whether theyre in heat or not. Chinchilla Treats That WONT Kill Your Pet, What Do You Need for a New Chinchilla? This is a hard habit to break but can be linked to bad diets and simple boredom. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Odor wound smells bad. 1. As such, we recommend having one done if possible. From cuddly rabbits to energetic hamsters, on The Pet Savvy you can learn about the different types of small pets and how to care for them. You may find that in some cases, your chinchilla is lonely and that is the reason some owners make chinchilla-shaped pillows to keep their chinchilla company, especially if they do not have another chinchilla to bond with. Repeat this over and over again, and eventually your chinchilla will associate its name with getting a treat. Your email address will not be published. If you feed it as a frequent snack to your chinchilla, it will gain weight. During the earliest stage, your chinchillas feet wont be obviously hurt. These foot pads get hard when the chinchilla walks on solid or rough surfaces. Is plastic suitable for a chinchilla cage? Take our quiz and find out! They particularly attack the ears. Causes Ear injuries in chinchillas may be due to a bite from another animal or a self-inflicted wound, or exposure to extreme temperatures. This will cause your pet pain and further infections no matter what you do. Why is there blood in my chinchillas cage? You can keep your chinchillas fur relatively clean by dabbing it with a cloth, but bear in mind that it may be bleeding, so this wont get rid of all the blood. It can also point to husbandry issues like an inappropriate or dirty cage. I am Eddie, animal journalist and founder of ThePetSavvy. Doesnt like dust bath powder Blood in urine indicates a UTI. Drooling, discharges, difficulty eating, reduced appetite, and bald patches around the eyes and mouth are also signs of dental issues. It is not normal if they are racing and walking in circles. This means they are wide awake and ready for action. WebIf your female dog is experiencing a swollen and bleeding vagina, its often caused by a bacterial infection, anatomical abnormalities, cancer, or a hormonal imbalance. What was formerly only a blister now becomes an infected ulcer, a.k.a. But if a healthy chinchilla has no open wounds on its feet, then it wont catch them. Chinchilla Mansion Chinchilla Cage - Handmade in the USA! Rarely, two dominant chinchillas will not get along no matter what. As infection develops, it causes open wounds. The vet can find latent heart conditions, find any injuries, and make their best guess at why your chinchilla died. They're most active at dusk, night and dawn. Uneven bald patches could be a sign of fur biting due to bacterial infection, stress, or fungus. Thats why its so essential to catch bumblefoot before it gets too bad. Morgan also happens to be a chinchilla owner for many years. Females are surprisingly aggressive in a group with other females. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. For more in-depth information on dental issues in chinchillas, refer to our previousDental Disease blog.Gastrointestinal StasisBeyond the physical ramifications ofa dietlackingindietary fiber, serious physiological issues can arise from these inappropriate diets. Another sign that a chinchilla needs plenty of space will result in odd behavior like this. These include: A mixture of causes may be to blame. After the first week or so, she will actively court male dogs and will allow them to mount her. Happy chinchilla behavior and body language, Behavior and body language of an unhappy chinchilla, Understanding chinchilla dominance behavior. A chinchilla could theoretically live its whole life without bathing. Any chinchilla that has bitten you before may not learn to stop biting which can lead to an ongoing aggressive problem. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. This can occur in older chinchillas, even if theyre otherwise healthy (e.g. (I'm the one on the left). This sound is a sign to other Chinchillas and to you that they are happy and content and that everything is safe. Respiratory Infection. The vet can remove the blockage with a simple, in-office surgical procedure. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Change out any moist, wet bedding, and remove any high-particulate bedding. It's best to avoid putting any plastic in your chinchilla's cage. They can be aggressive towards other females and also their baby kits at times. Think you know everything there is to know about chinchillas? Listen to how they are breathing and if it is difficult for them. They can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Bumblefoot is a where the natural calluses on your chinchillas feet become too thick. The infection causes damage to the bladder and the pipes that connect it to the kidneys or the urethra, hence the blood. Worldwide shipping quotes available at checkout! It is often from the neglect that goes with not spending enough time with them. Chinchilla care is not always a walk in the park. If you check your chinchillas feet, you may see the slightest of swellings in its foot pads. What Is Gastrointestinal Stasis in Chinchillas? Feeding unsuitable, sugary snacks will over time lead to obesity and diabetes. Your chinchillas urine can have blood in it from a UTI, or it can appear bloody as it dries orange-red. Discover the joys of owning a small pet and get started on your journey today! Its easier to crush a tablet, mix the powder with flavored Sustacal or Ensure, then administer the mixture with an eyedropper. Due to extensive blood supply, an injured ear appears to be swollen, and redder and shows perfused bleeding. This is done through sounds and actions which allow you to see what they want to tell you. You will see signs she is pregnant with mood swings and more attitude-behavior changes. Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. It commonly occurs when the placenta and fetal membranes remain in the uterus leading to bacterial infection. LoveMyChinchilla is reader-supported. Damage to the ears is most common, followed by the tail, face and feet. Its a sign of affection that is traded back and forth between chinchillas. Is your chinchilla not moving? bacteria, protozoa, fungi, etc.) Here is a table of every common cause of blood in a chinchillas cage. [PICK TWO] Your chinchilla is sitting with its ears pointing back towards its back, rather than sticking up. More and more tissue can die and/or become infected. This could either be 'sleepy ears', or it could be a symptom that your pet isn't well. Infections. This can be due to illness or possibly failing organs. It sometimes means that they are perceiving some danger or something threatening, but not always. Common Chinchilla Health Issues Did you know that National Chinchilla Day is March 23rd? Theyll likely recommend antibiotics to prevent infection. Standing on their hind legs is a sign they are curious and excited to see what is happening. Shrieking is no doubt a sign they are very upset and stressed about something. Required fields are marked *. Or do you need a handy chinchilla reference guide? Most chinchilla owners use Bag Balm, a brand that specializes in intense moisturizers. Fighting can also cause open wounds elsewhere in the body, but this is less likely. This can cause damage to the nose, head, or any other part of the body. Friable wound (delicate wound tissue bleeds easily). Urine and water particularly can damage the skin, and the bacteria on the floor of the cage can then enter the wound, causing bumblefoot. Please note, comments must be approved before they are published. Since we've already covered three different chinchilla sounds and what they mean, let's take a look at the three umbrellas of emotions that your chinchilla may be trying to communicate to you.Although we'll only briefly discuss body language since we're focusing on vocalizations, body language is such an important part of the way chinchillas communicate and should also be monitored to discern how your chinchilla is feeling. The problem can start with a cage that is too small for them to move around.