Chinchillas

Question 1

Genus species name for chinchillas

Answer 1

Chinchilla langier

Question 2

Habitat

Answer 2

Cold and rocky slopes

Question 3

Average life span

Answer 3

10-20yrs

Question 4

Up to __ hairs can come from each individual root

Answer 4

90

Question 5

Short front legs function

Answer 5

To support and hold food

Question 6

Large powerful back legs function

Answer 6

Jumping

Question 7

Dental formula

Answer 7

2(I 1/1, C 0/0, PM 1/1, M3/3)

Question 8

When do chinchillas go into their first heat?

Answer 8

3-4 months old

Question 9

Gestation period

Answer 9

110-138 days

Question 10

Newborn chinchillas are precocial. What does that mean?

Answer 10

They look like mini mes of their mother and they are relatively mobile right away.

Question 11

Important husbandry tip for chinchillas

Answer 11

-Intolerant to heat and humidity
-Dust baths daily
-Chew toys

Question 12

Do chinchillas teeth have open or closed roots?

Answer 12

Open, teeth constantly growing so need ample chewing objects

Question 13

Nutrition

Answer 13

• unlimited hay (roughage)
• pellets
• coprophagic: consumption of feces
• SMALL amounts of fruits, veggies, seeds/grains
• fresh water at all times; bottle preferred

Question 14

List the common diseases for chinchillas

Answer 14

1. Dental disease
2. Skin diseases: poor husbandry, fur slip, ring worm
3. GI diseases: choke, bloat, hairballs, enteritis, consipation
4. Respiratory diseases: pneumonia
5. Neurological diseases: listeria monocytogenes
6. Penile disorders: fur rings, balanoposthatitis, parasphimosis

Question 15

Clinical signs of dental disease

Answer 15

Drooling, pawing at mouth, weight loss, poor coat, anorexia, decreased stool, constipation, lethargy

Question 16

Clinical signs of dermatophytosis (ring worm)

Answer 16

Scaly circular areas of hair loss on face, feet, and ears

Question 17

Define Dermatophytosis

Answer 17

Ring worm

Question 18

Clinical signs of choke

Answer 18

-salivation
-anorexia
-dyspnea

Question 19

Clinical signs of bloat

Answer 19

• Distended/painful abdomen
• dyspnea
• reluctant to move

Question 20

Clinical signs of Trichobezoars (hairballs)

Answer 20

• Lethargic
• Reluctant to move
• Anorectic

Question 21

Clinical signs of enteritis

Answer 21

• constipation
• impactions
• intussusceptions
• rectal prolapse

Question 22

Clinical signs of pneumonia

Answer 22

-depression
-dyspnea
-nasal discharge

Question 23

What is a fur ring?

Answer 23

Accumulation of fur wrapped around the penis

Question 24

What zoonotic diseases can chinchillas carry?

Answer 24

• Baylisascaris procyonis
• Dermatophytosis (ringworm)
• Salmonellosis

Question 25

What type of wire should you use for caging

Answer 25

WELDED wire only

Question 26

What does BAR look like in a chinchilla?

Answer 26

Twitching nose, tail alert and erect, thick, soft, and smooth hair coat, normal breathing

Question 27

How should you hold a chinchilla?

Answer 27

Hold the base of the tail and hind legs in one hand while the other supports the chest and shoulder

Question 28

Weight

Answer 28

400-600g (females>males)

Question 29

Temp

Answer 29

97-102ºF

Question 30

HR

Answer 30

200-300 bpm

Question 31

RR

Answer 31

40-80 rpm

Question 32

Chinchilla teeth have _____ roots

Answer 32

Open - grown continuously, correct position is crucial

Question 33

Describe the external genitalia of a male chinchilla

Answer 33

No scrotum, very small cone shaped urethra/penis

Question 34

Describe the external genitalia of a female chinchilla

Answer 34

No labial folds, the urethra terminates outside the vagina

Question 35

Are chinchillas coprophagic?

Answer 35

Yes, they at times they eat their own feces

Question 36

What are some reasons why chinchillas might develop a skin disease?

Answer 36

-Inadequate access to dust bath -Fur slip -Secondary to dental disease

Question 37

Which veins are commonly used for venipuncture

Answer 37

-Jugular -Cranial vena cava

Question 38

Which direction should you insert your needle into the vena cava?

Answer 38

At ~45º in the direction of the opposite back leg

Question 39

What gauge needle would you use for a chinchilla?

Answer 39

25-28 gauge

Question 40

Which bones can you use for an intraosseous catheter?

Answer 40

-Femur (preferred) -Tibia

Question 41

Where can you do IV catheter for a chinchilla?

Answer 41

Cephalic (extremely difficult due to size of animal)

Question 42

Where would you give an IM injection?

Answer 42

-Semimembranosus -Quadriceps -Semitendonosus <0.3 ml/site

Question 43

How often does a female go into heat if not bred?

Answer 43

q25-30d