1. Chinchillas evilchinchilla.com

2. Order Rodentia, suborder Hystricognatha (Caviomorpha)*, superfamily Chinchilloidea, family Chinchillidae, subfamily Chinchillinae.

3. Distribution in the wild

4. Wild Chinchillas Once believed extinct, the only known wild Chinchilla lanigera exist in north central Chile (Jiménez, 1995). This endemic species experienced dramatic decrease in its population and range An estimated 21 million were killed in less than 60 years for the fur trade and the population has yet to recover (Albert, 1901; Jiménez, 1996). Chinchillas are endangered and protected by CITES (Glade, 1988; IUCN, 1972).

5. Chinchilla brevicaudata Critically Endangered Shorter ears and tail than

6. Chinchilla laniger Long ears Long tail Use in research facilities and pet industry

7. Important Info Closely related to Guinea Pig Uses Life span 10-18 years Anatomy Body conformation Teeth GI Short front legs with 4 digits Large rear legs with 3 digits Require dust baths commons.wikimedia.org

8. Anatomy

9. Dental Formula 2(I1/1 C0/0 PM1/1 M3/3)=20

10. Biology Body weight Male 400-500 g Female 400-600 g Body Temperature - 98.6ºF-100.4ºF Heart rate - 150 beats per minute Respiratory rate – 45-65 breaths per minute

11. Breeding and reproduction Puberty 4-18 months Seasonally polyestrus Male can serve 12 females Estrus cycle last 30-50 days Detection of vaginal plug either in the female or in the floor Gestation average 110-138 days

12. Say aahhhhh Normal litter size is two, but may be as high as six The young are born precocious, fully furred, with teeth and with their eyes and ears open

13. Behavior/Appeal Quiet, shy, docile, lively Relatively easy to care for Odorless, but they have anal sacs Masturbation in males Flight primary defense mechanism; rarely, they bite Active at dusk and night; can be active during day in captivity Video

14. Housing Group* or individual Recommended caging Large, multi-level cages Welded wire 3 functional areas Places to hide Substrate Temperature preferences- 50-68°F, dry Humidity between 30% and 60% Dust bath Commercial, prepared mixture; NO beach/playground sand Remove from cage when finished Water (Water bottle)

15. Dust bath Chinchillas have dense fur. Over time, oils and moisture collect in the fur. In the wild, chinchillas have no way to clean their fur other than to roll around in volcanic ash which acts as an absorbent. Chinchillas do not go into water. Nor should you ever bathe your chinchilla in water. Doing so would remove the natural oils which protect a chinchilla's skin and helps them regulate their body temperature. Instead, it is best to give them a bowl or container filled with "special" dust for them to roll around in. chinchilla bathing video google

17. Diet Eat mainly at night Specific nutrient requirements unknown Commercial diets 16-20% protein Recommended diets Grass hay (fiber) Small amts pellets Fresh veggies Salt block Gradual changes in diet Water (Water bottle) notwithoutmyhandbag.com

18. Diets cont.. Since chinchillas are grazers, provide a quality chinchilla pellet (which helps to keep teeth healthy) and loose timothy hay available all the time. You can supplement their diet with treats such as cheerios, bread, and a raisin or two, in moderation video

19. Enrichment Hard objects for gnawing Hiding places Exercise www.alexanderschools.org

20. Medical Considerations No vaccines recommended Physical exam/blood work recommendations Annual Cannot vomit (G-) Clindamycin, lincomycin, erythromycin, and ampicillin Penicillin Metronidazole toxicity potentially

21. Venipuncture Use 23-25 gauge needle

22. Medical Considerations Dental malocclusion Respiratory infections Abscesses, Fur ring in males Dr. Eckermann-Ross

23. Dental malocclusion In the normal jaw, notice the even alignment of the molars, and how the upper incisors overlap the lower incisors. Note too the gap between the incisors and the molars, also called the cheek teeth. So when the teeth are loose in their sockets, they can easily grow into the eye sockets, which are above the back three cheek teeth.

24. Hair Rings [Phimosis] A phimosis is where the glans of the penis is constricted. Any male mammal with external genitalia is in danger from phimosis or paraphimosis. The skin is very loose and folded to permit urination or erections. Worse still is the extensive gauzy connective tissue that is capable of swelling hundreds of times its normal volume

25. Internal Parasites Internal parasites that affect chinchillas are Giardia, Coccidia, Cryptosporidium and Tapeworms, Hookworms and Nematodes such as Roundworms and Pinworms. These parasites are all common in the GI tract, and in some fashion all of them decrease the absorption of nutrients in your animal. In the adult animal this is not as much of a problem as it is in the young, growing animal

26. Ringworm Ringworm is a fungal infection. It lives in the very top layer of the skin, the dead, sloughing cells, and does not invade the underlying, living cells. The form we see in chinchillas and rabbits is the body form, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and shows as a pink to red rash. It causes a loss of fur, with a pinkish rash and rough skin underneath

27. Respiratory disease (bacterial) Pausterella ssp., Bordatella ssp., Streptococus ssp., and Pseudomonas aeruginosa alone or in combination can cause respiratory diseases Symptoms may include anorexia, depression, nasal discharge, and dyspnea. Young are particular prone to respiratory diseases Predisposing factors include overcrowding, high hunidity, poor ventilation, and stress. Tetracycline ( 50mg/kg q8-12h PO) is the antibiotic of choice except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections for which it is best to use Gentamicin (2mg/kg q8h SC, IM, IV)

28. Questions??