Chinchillas.

Chinchillas

Chinchilla Caviomorph (New World hystricognath)
Rodent closely related to Guinea pigs Degus Porcupines Belongs to family Chinchillidae

Chinchilla Two species Native to South America, Andes Mountains
Chinchilla chinchilla (short-tailed) Chinchilla laniger (long-tailed, used in research) Native to South America, Andes Mountains

Chinchilla Chinchilla laniger Average weight 400-600 g
Range from inches in length Females slightly larger than male Standard color is a smoky blue-gray

Uses Auditory studies Infectious disease studies
Cochlear size and neural connections approximate human Large tympanic bullae allows easy surgical access Lack of susceptibility to naturally occurring middle ear infections Infectious disease studies Chagas disease Listeriosis Pseudomonas infections Pelt used for clothing

Behavior In native environment live in groups in rock crevices or burrows Predator-avoidance mechanisms Fur slip Spray urine at intruders Normally nocturnal; may engage in periods of activity during daylight hours Dexterous, grasp food with front paws Do not hibernate

Anatomic and Physiologic Features
Compact bodies covered with dense, velvet-like fur Coat grows in waves from head to tail Long bushy tails Four toes are present on all feet, each with a small claw Plantar surfaces of feet are devoid of fur

Large heads relative to size of body Long vibrissae Prominent eyes Bat-like ears Thymus gland is entirely intrathoracic

Dental formula 2(I 1/1, C 0/0, P 1/1, M 3/3) Teeth are open rooted, continuously growing Incisors are yellowish Molars are cream colored Oral cavity is narrow Mandible is wider than maxilla Palate is like the guinea pig’s Possess an opening, the palatal ostium

Gastrointestinal tract remarkably long Jejunum nearly fills entire abdomen Cecum is large Proximal colon is highly sacculated Terminal colon is smooth Cannot vomit Coprophagic

Sexing can be difficult as external genitalia are similar Female Prominent, cone-shaped clitoris Vagina has separate external opening between rectum and urethral openings Vaginal is closed by membrane except during estrus and parturition Bicornuate uterus, two cervices Three pair of mammary glands Two lateral One inguinal

Male Greater anogenital distance Larger genital papilla No true scrotum Testicles are located in inguinal canals or subcutaneously in the anal region

Hematologic values Lymphocyte is predominant white blood cell Seasonal effects Higher oxygen-hemoglobin affinity than other rodents and rabbits Urine pH 8.5 Able to withstand long periods without water Specific gravity often exceeds 1.045 Varying amounts of calcium carbonate crystals

Breeding and Reproduction
Puberty depends upon the sex and time of year chinchilla is born Female 4-5 months of age Male 7-9 months of age Main breeding season is between November and May Breeding Pair Harem system

Female (doe) Polyestrous Estrous cycle lasts on average 38 days Very selective in choice of a male (buck) Can be very aggressive towards male Breeding normally occurs at night Ovulation is spontaneous Vaginal plug is reliable indictor that mating occurred Has a postpartum and postlactational estrus

Gestation is lengthy, on average 111 days Female chinchilla does not make a nest Parturition Occurs in early morning Kits are born within several hours Dystocia is uncommon Litter size on average 2 Disproportionate number of males are born

Newborns Precocious Fully furred Have teeth Eyes and ears are open Dust bath should not be used with newborns Kits Begin to eat solid food within 1 week of birth Weaned at 6-8 weeks of age

Husbandry Housing Multilevel cages work well to accommodate their activity level Rabbit cages can be adapted Solid bottom cages with hardwood chips or recycled paper products are preferred

Husbandry Environment 61-700 F 30-60% humidity
10-15 air changes per hour 14 hours of light per day

Husbandry Sanitation Frequency of sanitizing primary enclosure depends upon type of caging Solid bottom cages, feeding and watering receptacles should be cleaned weekly, disinfected with chemicals, hot water, or a combination of both Suspended caging requires less frequent cleaning

Husbandry Environmental Enrichment and Social Housing
House in pairs or small groups Feeding twice daily Dust bath should be provided several times a week to help maintain a healthy coat Pumice gnawing stone or fresh tree branches can be placed in cage for gnawing enrichment Provide structure for hiding

Husbandry Feeding and Watering
Chinchillas should be feed a commercial pelleted chinchilla chow Guinea pig or rabbit chow is adequate, but the smaller pellets are more difficult for the chinchillas to grasp Adults eat on average g of food per day Food should be offered in a J-feeder or other elevated self-feeder

Husbandry Feeding and Watering
Good quality grass hay should be feed from a hay rack ad libitum Cubed hay can be placed on floor of the cage Dietary changes should be made slowly to avoid enteric problems Fresh, potable water should be provided ad libitum by bottle or automatic watering system

Techniques Handling and restraint
Respond best to a light touch and gentle approach Not aggressive biters, but will bite if agitated Avoid grasping the fur or roughly handling can result in loss of a patch of fur called fur slip To carry a short distance Lift by base of tail and place the animal on the opposite forearm, up against the body, with its head toward the elbow To restrain securely Grasp the base of the tail with one hand and place the other hand over the shoulders and thorax

Techniques Identification Cage cards for general identification
Individual Ear tagging, tattooing, or subcutaneous placement of microchip Dyes, markers or clipped fur can be used as temporary methods

Techniques Blood collection
Up to 10% of the circulating blood volume can be withdrawn from normal, healthy animals every 2-3 weeks Small amounts Cephalic, lateral saphenous, or femoral vein Ventral tail artery Larger amounts Jugular vein Cranial vena cava, transverse sinus or cardiac under anesthesia

Techniques Urine Collection Drug administration
Gentle digital pressure on the bladder Cystocentesis Metabolic cage Drug administration Oral Liquids can be given using a small syringe directly into the mouth

Techniques Drug administration Subcutaneous between shoulders IM IV
Lumbar Quadriceps Semitendinosus IV Use small peripheral vessels

Anesthesia, Surgery, and Postoperative Care
Withhold food for 6 hours prior to induction Atropine can be given to decrease salivary secretions Ketamine Can be used alone for noninvasive procedures or chemical restraint Can be used in combination with acepromazine, xylazine or pentobarbital for longer and/or more painful procedures Ophthalmic ointment should be used

Inhalation Isoflurane or sevoflurane with scavenging of waste anesthetic gases Face mask or nose cone used to maintain as chinchillas are difficult to intubate Use care during induction as chinchillas hold their breath, then take rapid deep breaths which can put them in a deep plane of anesthesia Ophthalmic ointment should be used to protect the eyes Use combination of reflexes to monitor depth of anesthesia

Use aseptic technique Minimize blood loss Support euthermia Circulating water blanket Postoperative care Recover animal on clean, dry paper or cloth towel Monitor postoperative discomfort opioids and/or non-steroidal agents can be provided Prevent hypothermia Turn nonambulatory animal every 30 minutes to prevent hypostatic pulmonary congestion Maintain hydration and nutritional levels

Imaging Techniques Many modalities have been adapted to use in small rodents Digital x-ray MRI CT PET DEXA

Radiography X-ray machine capabilities Restraint
High milliamperage ( mA) Low kVp settings Short exposure times (1/40 or faster) Restraint Sedate patient Use of tape, radiolucent tube, stockinette for positioning

Euthanasia Methods must be consistent with the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia and performed by trained personnel Inhalation anesthetic overdose Barbiturates 3-4 times the anesthetic dose given IV or IP CO2 Pre-sedation recommended Gas tank with flow gauge

Introduction to Diseases
Most laboratory chinchillas are free of viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi that cause clinical disease Most common causes of disease relate to husbandry and feeding inadequacies Chinchillas hide signs of disease as a survival mechanism Healthy chinchillas are active and inquisitive and carry their tails high over their back Ill animals have a dull coat and are indifferent to their surroundings

Bacterial Diseases Respiratory Disease
Pasteurella spp., Streptococcus spp., and Pseudomonas aeruginosa alone or in combination are causative agents Symptoms include Anorexia Depression Nasal discharge Dyspnea

Bacterial Diseases Respiratory Disease
Young are particularly prone to disease of lower respiratory tract or pneumonia Predisposing factors include Overcrowding High humidity Drafty housing Poor ventilation Stress Treatment Tetracycline family drugs are best choice

Bacterial Diseases Bite wounds and Abscess Formation
Seen in chinchillas housed in group arrangements Streptococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. are most commonly involved Treatment Drain wounds or abscesses Surgically debride if necessary Enrofloxacin or chloramphenicol are suggested for initial therapy

Bacterial Diseases Enteritis
Common finding that can usually be traced to poor management Number of conditions can be involved Colic Intussusception Diarrhea Mucoid enteritis Fecal impaction Rectal prolapse

Bacterial Diseases Enteritis
Pseudomonas spp., Pasteurella spp., Proteus spp., Salmonella spp., and Escherichia coli are frequently involved Onset is often acute Symptoms include Listlessness Dehydration Soft or liquid feces Absence of feces

Bacterial Diseases Enteritis Predisposing factors include Treatment
Sudden diet change Inappropriate or prolonged antibiotic use Overcrowding and stress Diets too low in fiber and too high in fat and protein Treatment Fluid replacement Antibiotic therapy with gentamicin, sulfonamides, or neomycin Keep chinchilla clean and comfortable

Bacterial Diseases Enterotoxemia
Clostridium perfringens type D reported to cause disease More prevalent in young animals 2-4 months of age Animals may be found dead without signs of illness or may have diarrhea and abdominal pain Has been prevented by immunization with toxoid

Bacterial Diseases Antibiotic Toxicity
Care should be taken in selection of antibiotics used Many agents can suppress normal gut flora and lead to overgrowth and enterotoxemia Antimicrobials with a selective gram-positive spectrum should be avoided Broad spectrum antibiotics used for short periods of time are less likely to upset the normal flora Treatment Supplementation with lactobacillus product Administer fluids and/or oral electrolyte solution

Bacterial Diseases Pseudomonas Infections
Chinchillas are very susceptible to Pseudomonas aeruginosa Most often involves contaminated drinking water Symptoms Conjunctivitis Otitis Pneumonia Dermal pustules Enteritis Mesenteric lymphadenopathy Metritis Septicemia with acute death

Bacterial Diseases Pseudomonas Infections Treatment Prevention
Gentamicin Prevention Chlorination or Acidification of drinking water Vaccination with polyvalent bacterin

Bacterial Diseases Listeriosis
Chinchillas are highly susceptible to Listeria monocytogenes Disease Common in fur-ranched not laboratory chinchillas Can be sporadic in colony or produce high mortality All ages are affected Encephalitic and enteric forms are seen Usually peracute with death occurring within hours after onset of signs

Bacterial Diseases Listeriosis Symptoms Treatment Anorexia Diarrhea
Depression Ataxia and/or circling Convulsions Paralysis Treatment Generally unrewarding as animals die so rapidly Chloramphenicol or tetracycline can be attempted Some success with autogenous vaccines

Bacterial Diseases Pseudotuberculosis
Yersina pseudotuberculosis can cause an acute or chronic contagious disease Acute form is manifested as septicemia Chronic form involves Anorexia Depression Progressive weight loss Intermittent diarrhea Enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes Sudden death

Bacterial Diseases Pseudotuberculosis Necropsy Treatment
Yellow-white foci of necrosis and caseous nodules are seen in the liver, spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes, and intestines Treatment Usually ineffective Tetracycline can be used

Bacterial Diseases Mastitis Fairly common
Should be suspected if neonates become restless and lethargic Mammary glands become painful and edematous Treatment Use antibiotic based on culture and sensitivity Local application of hot packs Foster neonates to another female or hand-rear

Bacterial Diseases Metritis
Proteus vulgaris, E. coli, Pseudomonas spp., and Streptococcus spp. are most often involved Usually precipitated by retained placenta or fetus Clinical signs Swelling and discoloration of the vulva White to brown putrid exudate Fever

Bacterial Diseases Metritis Treatment Oxytocin injection
Flush the vagina and uterus with saline Parenteral antibiotic administration Hand-rear offspring to prevent cross-contamination

Mycotic Diseases Dermatophytosis
Trichophyton mentagrophytes most common cause of ringworm Lesions can occur anywhere on body but typically appear as small, scaly areas of alopecia on nose, ear, and feet Ultraviolet light is not useful for diagnosis Animals with lesions should be treated promptly or culled due to zoonotic potential Treatment Oral itraconazole

Viral Diseases Few reports of agents causing disease
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus has been reported to affect chinchillas Chinchillas infected with human influenza A are a model for childhood otitis media Chinchillas are susceptible to human herpes virus I

Parasitic Diseases Intestinal parasitism is uncommon
Cystic subcutaneous masses caused by the intermediate stage of Multiceps serialis are occasionally seen and can be removed surgically

Parasitic Diseases Chinchillas normally harbor high numbers of Giardia in their intestines Stress and poor husbandry can cause numbers to increase and predispose animals to opportunistic infections Animals have intermittent illness with sticky black feces Albendazole or fenbendazole are recommended treatments

Neoplasia Uncommon in the chinchilla Few reports of occurrence

Miscellaneous Conditions
Malocclusion Commonly called slobbers Can be seen with the incisors or molars Chinchillas may have a selective appetite in early stages which progresses to anorexia and excessive drooling Causes fur around the chin, chest, and forepaws to become wet Treatment Trimming overgrown teeth with a dental bur or rongeurs under sedation Routine trimming of teeth is necessary Place gnawing pumice stone in cage Affected animals should not be bred

Choke Esophageal choke occurs when entrance of trachea is occluded Frequently involves a large piece of food or other foreign body More common in animals fed raisins, fruits, and nuts or that consume bedding material Animal may cough, retch, and struggle to dislodge the offending material Condition deteriorates rapidly if material is not dislodged

Constipation More frequent problem than diarrhea Chinchilla strains to defecate and produces only a few thin, short, hard pellets Feeding a diet too low in fiber is the usual cause Treatment Feed commercial, pelleted chinchilla diet Small amounts of apples, raisins, carrots, or lettuce and alfalfa cubes may help to resolve problem

Conjunctivitis Without signs of respiratory disease, usual cause is irritation from the dust bath or dirty bedding Treatment Ophthalmic ointment Improve husbandry Discontinue dust bath for a few weeks

Fur chewing Serious problem in chinchilla industry Exact cause remains unknown Appears to be a vice and occurs in certain lines Numerous incriminating factors Loud noises Improper diet Hormonal imbalance Poor housing conditions Stress Boredom

Fur chewing Affected chinchillas appear motley and have a lion’s mane appearance Hairballs are commonly found in stomach at necropsy Affected animals should not be bred

Fur slip Predator-avoidance mechanism Rough handling, agitation, or fighting can cause fur to come out in patches Underlying skin appears clean and smooth Release of fur occurs in response to the effects of adrenaline on the erector pili muscles Fur may take up to 5 months to regrow

Penile hair rings Males can accumulate a ring of twisted hair around the penis and under the prepuce Condition affects their breeding ability Treat by applying sterile lubricant to penis and prepuce and gently rolling the accumulated ring off

Heatstroke Chinchillas are very prone to heat stroke particularly if humidity is high Animals are usually found in a prostrate condition, panting with an elevated body temperature Treatment Cooling animal’s body with cold water Administer IV fluids to help stabilize the cardiovascular system

Fractures Tibia often involved as bone is longer than femur and fragile Caused by grabbing hind limb or when animal catches its leg in the cage Treatment Wire or external fixation stabilized by bandages is more effective than placement of an intramedullary pin Place chinchilla in small cage to limit mobility until the fracture heals

Chinchillas.

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