Do chinchillas take fall damage?

Do chinchillas take fall damage?

Just because chinchillas can jump up high, that doesn’t mean they ‘always land on their feet’ or don’t get hurt when they fall. Chinchillas can hurt themselves falling from any height. If it then slips and falls out of the wheel—a matter of inches—your pet can break its toes, its feet or its ankles.

What do chinchillas do when they feel threatened?

Hiding places to get away from companions/escape if they feel afraid. Chinchillas must be able to avoid things that scare them. They¿re a prey species so must be able to hide in secure places, away from sights/smells of predators (e.g. dogs/cats/ferrets).

Can you grab a chinchilla by the tail?

Holding the center of the tail will result in a fracture or break. Holding the tip of a Chinchillas tail will result in a disconnected bone or the tip will rip off. Always handle gently by the base of the tail.

How often should a Chinchilla have a check up?

The chinchilla will need to be anaesthetised during the procedure and a short ‘day stay’ in the surgery will be necessary. A chinchilla with Tooth Elongation will also need to have a check-up every 6 weeks to maintain the length of the tooth and caution regarding tooth spurs should be maintained.

What happens if you hold a chinchilla wrong?

A chinchilla being handled incorrectly, or roughly will try to get loose by wiggling , kicking, and squealing. A vocal chinchilla may be scared or uncomfortable. Do your best to keep your chinchilla calm, and try to position your hand in the most comfortable place for your pet. Holding the center of the tail will result in a fracture or break.

What’s the best way to take care of a chinchilla?

This is best to keep your pet still to tag ears, clean wounds, or take a rectal temperature. Wrap your chinchilla up in a towel, not too loose that they wiggle out, but not so tightly that they cannot breath. This is best for administering medications, force feeding, to check ears, and to check teeth. Firmly grip the base of your chinchilla’s tail.

Why does a chinchilla not file its teeth?

A chinchilla may choose to not file the teeth due to pain that will then lead to an abnormal growth rate where all the teeth may not grow at the same length and at the same time. Tooth loss is also a major cause for elongation due to the loss of the opposing tooth.

When to know if your Chinchilla has a problem?

If a tooth problem is occurring, you will likely be able to spot the issue if your chinchilla is not eating as frequently, drooling, or showing bald patches around the mouth or eyes. Once you notice an issue with your chinchilla’s teeth taking place, be sure to consult a vet to get the situation taken care of.

What does it mean when a chinchilla is lying on its side?

If your chinchilla is lying on their side, it does not necessarily mean they are dying, but it likely means trouble. This could be a sign of heatstroke or another illness. If this is your chinchilla and it is a behavior that you typically have never noticed in the past, you need to be getting ahold of your vet as quickly as possible.

What does it mean when a chinchilla has bald patches?

Uneven bald patches could be a sign of fur biting due to bacterial infection, stress, or fungus. If you see bald patches along with sores, flakes, or skin irritation, your chinchilla could have a fungal infection, such as ringworm. Try not to confuse fur slip with uneven bald patches.

What happens to a chinchilla’s teeth if it gets infected?

Chinchilla’s teeth continue to grow at rapid paces like many rodents. If a tooth becomes overgrown, it can become infected. It is essential to make sure that your chinchilla’s teeth remain a healthy orange/yellow color and the teeth do not have any chips or curls.