What to do if the chinchilla does not eat or drink, determine the causes of lethargy and poor appetite

Treating constipation with medications

If your chinchilla does not poop after using natural laxatives, it is best to consult a veterinarian.
In case of severe constipation, it is necessary to check the intestinal permeability. To do this, take simple Vaseline oil and drop one milliliter into the animal’s mouth with a syringe every two or three hours. The procedure is stopped when oil begins to come out from the anus. The use of oil is not a solution to the problem, it is only one way to alleviate the animal’s condition and make sure that the intestines do not have severe congestion or volvulus. A more alarming symptom is that the pet does not poop, refuses any food offered, and does not drink. It is necessary to give a subcutaneous injection of two milligrams of a five percent glucose solution and eight milligrams of saline twice a day. You can also add half a milliliter of Veracol or Liarsin. The injection will support a weakened body and protect against exhaustion and dehydration. It would also be a good idea to give an injection of Catozal - 0.5 - 0.8 ml, and continue to feed the animal from the syringe.

To treat complex constipation, the following are usually used:

Five drops of Regulax per one hundred milliliters of water, soldered from a syringe,
Five drops of Duphalac through a syringe, repeat every 12 hours until visible improvement,
Vetom 1.1. The probiotic is given as prescribed by the veterinarian.
Vetom 1.1. can also be used after eliminating constipation to stabilize the functioning of the entire intestine. The drug is given twice a day for a week.

Constipation, which is accompanied by bloating, is more effectively treated by:

Sab Simplex - 0.5 milliliters two to four times a day,
Timpanol - as prescribed by the doctor.

Sometimes Espumisan helps. However, before using it, it is better to consult a doctor.

A very useful video for those who do not know how to properly give medicine to a chinchilla. It is especially useful for those who treat constipation, since chinchillas have practically no appetite at this moment.

You can alleviate the animal’s condition and stimulate intestinal function with the help of massage.

Do it in a circular, soft motion from the chinchilla's breast to the bottom of the tummy. The procedure takes up to three minutes and is repeated up to ten times a day.

Constipation cannot be treated with enemas or activated charcoal. All these procedures can bring visible temporary relief and after a short time turn into serious complications.

After intestinal function has been restored, it is necessary to establish a proper and balanced diet, but return the animal to food gradually

This is especially important for animals that have not eaten for a day or two. A large load on the stomach and intestines can lead to various serious consequences

It is also necessary to ensure the constant availability of clean and fresh drinking water. Active movement will be a good help to restore normal bowel function. The chinchilla needs to be let out more often or buy new cage toys.

Recovery after illness

If a chinchilla does not eat or drink for a long time and is in a lethargic state, it is not surprising that it will begin to lose weight. Therefore, it is important to monitor the balance and amount of feed. In this state, a chinchilla can easily bring itself to the point of exhaustion, after which it will certainly die. The duty of an attentive owner is to prevent such trouble from happening.

The animal may refuse to eat on its own. This will be caused by stress. You need to feed your pet with a syringe, and use various liquid porridges and decoctions as food.

There are courses of medications that will help restore liver balance after treatment. They are administered to the pet subcutaneously. In this case, you should not engage in self-prescription; it is better not to even touch medications without a doctor’s recommendations.

Non-contagious diseases of chinchillas

There are also diseases that cannot be transmitted from pet to owner. It's not about their animal origin. It is ironic that these arise mainly due to the fault of the owner, due to his inability to create suitable conditions of detention.

Below we will consider diseases that are classified as non-communicable.

Cold

In chinchillas, colds occur in case of hypothermia or blowing - exposure to a draft, moving the house to a cool room. When a chinchilla has a cold, it breathes heavily, its nose becomes wet, and sneezing and coughing appear.

To cure a cold, the owner will have to give the chinchilla an injection. The pet is given a five-day course of antibiotics.

Stress

Stress can appear after experiencing shocks. A stressful state is dangerous due to the possible development of more serious problems and diseases that can lead to the death of a pet. To overcome it, you will have to reconsider your pet’s life and start paying more attention to it.

Many chronic diseases and complications can develop from stress. Sometimes a chinchilla has a stroke due to stress, and sometimes serious pathologies appear.

Heatstroke

Such a nuisance can occur after overheating - for example, prolonged exposure to the sun. Emergency help in this case is to move to the shade and cool with a moistened (but not wet) towel.

Injuries

Various everyday situations can lead to injury. They can be of varying degrees of severity, so your doctor will advise you on how to properly correct the situation. Often it is necessary to immobilize the injured part of the body. Sometimes injuries can lead to death - an excellent reason to remember that care is important when handling a pet.

Sometimes an injection into the back paw is required to numb the damaged area.

What should the drinker be like?

In pet stores you can find a huge number of accessories for rodents: houses of different sizes and styles, toys, bowls, feeders and drinking bowls. How to make a choice in all this diversity? First, let's decide - what kind of drinking bowl does our pet need?

It doesn’t matter if you bought it or made it yourself, but the drinker must meet a number of simple requirements:

be closed;
have a reliable attachment to the cage;
have the required volume for liquid.

Types of drinking bowls for chinchillas and their differences

When choosing a drinking bowl for your pet, you can pay attention to the wide variety of types presented in stores. Let's find out!

Drip drinker for rodents. It is conveniently fixed on the bars of the cage. The main characteristics of this type: volume 100-200 ml, nipple made of stainless material, fastenings for fixation on the cage.
An automatic drinker is an inverted bottle with a lid. The lid is equipped with a metal drinking tube with a ball at the end, which prevents water from pouring out uncontrollably.
A nipple drinker differs from an automatic drinker by a valve on the lid, which must be pressed to get water.

When does a chinchilla become lethargic?

Chinchillas rarely get sick, but if this happens, you need to act immediately. A healthy chinchilla causes virtually no trouble and only brings joy to its owners, but you should always be prepared. The health of the animal is in your hands. The first symptom of almost all diseases is that the chinchilla has become lethargic.

To prevent diseases, it is necessary to carefully monitor the animal’s nutrition and maintenance. The animal should have a fairly spacious cage in which it can move freely. The room should not be hot. Fresh air must always be present.

In this case, under no circumstances should drafts be allowed. They can lead to a cold or even pneumonia. For a small animal this is a rather serious disease. With pneumonia, the chinchilla lies down

and breathes heavily.

This occurs due to poor air permeability. She often breathes through her mouth.

What to do if your chinchilla won't eat or drink

Chinchillas belong to the order of rodents. They have an excellent appetite. They are constantly chewing and gnawing on something. Always choose the most delicious pieces from the feeder. Therefore, what a chinchilla does not eat is

may be a sign of illness.

reasons for loss of appetite . These little animals are very picky. They may refuse food that is not fresh. Also due to the same type of nutrition for a long time. They get bored with the same food and therefore lose their appetite. They may also not eat their food because they are expecting something tasty from you. Such cases do not happen often, but you should not forget about it.

Quite often, chinchillas lose their appetite after experiencing stress. Stress can be moving or moving in with another person. In such cases, it is recommended to leave the baby alone and treat him with his favorite treats. Gradually he will begin to get used to it and he will definitely have an appetite.

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Loss of appetite as a symptom of the disease

If it’s not stress, then the reason is most likely the health of your pet. First, take a closer look at it. You need to understand if he has any other symptoms. The most common illnesses in chinchillas are heat stroke, dental problems and many others.

These diseases are the most common. You must understand that any disease can cause irreparable harm to your pet.

Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract is accompanied not only by poor appetite. Chinchilla does not eat or drink

is in a lethargic state and has loose stools. A chinchilla can also sneeze and rub its nose. Inflammation can be acidic or alkaline. Your veterinarian will be able to determine this and prescribe the appropriate treatment for you.

When to worry

Refusal to eat, lethargy and apathy are signs of many diseases. On hot summer days, dogs often overheat in the sun and suffer heatstroke. Hypothermia is no less dangerous. It usually affects dogs of small breeds and animals without fur. In cold, drafty conditions, you may notice that the dog is shaking. Other signs of hypothermia:

body temperature below +37.5 °C;
shiver;
slow breathing;
convulsions;
slowing heart rate.

Gastrointestinal pathologies

A dog may be lethargic due to various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. They are often accompanied by pain and cramps in the abdomen, vomiting, and diarrhea. Eating aggravates the painful condition, provokes a new attack of pain, so the dog tries to move less and refuses to eat. Only a veterinarian can make a diagnosis after examination and a series of examinations. A depressed state and loss of appetite are a reason to contact a veterinary clinic.

Poisoning may have the same symptoms as gastrointestinal diseases. Intoxication can be caused by poor-quality food, medications and toxic substances (rat poison, for example), household chemicals, etc. Yellowing of the eyeballs and dry skin should cause alarm. Poisoning is usually accompanied by an increase in body temperature. Refusal to eat is the first sign of intoxication, which requires contacting a veterinarian.

Viral infections

Another reason why you cannot ignore the behavior of a dog that refuses to eat and lies on the bedding all day is the danger of contracting viral infections. Distemper, viral enteritis and other diseases that can lead to death must be treated immediately. Without qualified medical care, puppies die in 90% of cases.

Other signs that may indicate a viral infectious disease are:

with distemper - photophobia, fever, ulceration of the mucous membranes, purulent discharge from the eyes, difficulty breathing;
with parvovirus enteritis - vomiting, loose stools with blood, increased thirst;
with adenovirus – redness of the mucous membranes, dry cough and wheezing, runny nose, vomiting;
with viral hepatitis - increased body temperature, severe thirst, diarrhea and vomiting, yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes, keratitis and conjunctivitis.

Important!

In case of infectious diseases, if a pet refuses food and water, dehydration quickly occurs. It can cause the death of the animal.⁠

Reasons for refusing to eat

Some chinchillas are very picky eaters and may refuse to eat if the food is not fresh, monotonous, or the animal is not in the mood. Also, a furry pet may refuse the offered food in the hope of getting a more tasty treat. Animals often lose interest in food after experiencing stress. A new home, moving, visiting a veterinary clinic, or moving in with a new neighbor can cause stress. In this case, it is better to give your pet peace, talk to him kindly, and offer him his favorite treats.

However, in most cases, refusal to eat signals a health problem. The most common of them:

Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (catarrhal),
Heatstroke,
Food poisoning,
Problem with teeth
Flatulence.

Catarrh

Catarrhal inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract can be of a cold nature, and also have an acidic or alkaline form.

Each form of the disease has some similar symptoms - refusal to eat, loose stools, accumulation of feces around the anus, lethargy. The cold form of the disease is characterized by yellowish feces; the chinchilla often sneezes and rubs its nose. With the acid form of inflammation, the chinchilla defecates very often, the feces have a sharp sour odor and are grayish in color. The alkaline form of inflammation is characterized by rare, but very loose stools that have an unpleasant smell of rot.

Treatment of the disease depends on the form of inflammation. Acid catarrh is treated with Syntomycin, which is given twice a day, 0.2 grams. A decoction of oak bark and a one percent tannin solution are also recommended. Alkaline catarrh is treated with drops of Salol, which are instilled into the animal’s mouth. A weak solution of ordinary potassium permanganate also helps. The cold form of the disease is treated with Biomycin. It is given twice a day, 0.2 g. It is also necessary to use nasal drops - one percent Furacilin or a 33% aqueous solution of Ecmonovocillin.

Any form of catarrhal inflammation requires a strict diet for the animal.

It is necessary to exclude everything except fresh and clean hay, as well as water. When the animal’s condition has returned to normal, they begin to give grated carrots, chopped oats and oat decoction. After this, regular feed is introduced.

Poisoning

Poisoning in a chinchilla can be caused by too salty food or toxic substances getting into the food. These include both poisonous herbs and various nitrates and other pesticides. Salt poisoning is characterized by refusal to eat, loud grinding of teeth, excessive salivation, severe thirst, and loose stools. The chinchilla becomes lethargic and refuses to make contact with its owner. Sometimes salt poisoning is accompanied by paralysis. Treatment for salt poisoning involves drinking milk or natural vegetable oil through a syringe. It is also necessary to administer 5% calcium chloride subcutaneously:

For young individuals - one milliliter,
Adults - three milliliters.

Poisoning can also occur as a result of eating poisonous grass or canopy, mold and rot along with hay.
Symptoms of poisoning vary depending on the amount of poison that enters the animal’s body. The most dangerous is severe poisoning, in which the chinchilla dies within two to three hours after feeding. Symptoms are severe diarrhea with a lot of blood, drooling, bloody discharge from the mouth, foam, refusal of food and water, convulsions, heavy and hoarse breathing. In case of acute poisoning, animals experience diarrhea or constipation (depending on the poison), bloating, the animal has poor coordination in space, and frequent convulsions appear. Poisoning can also be chronic. Symptoms are observed within one to two days:

Refusal to eat
Apathy,
Pale mucous membranes,
Loss of shine in fur
The animal is rapidly losing weight.

For successful treatment, the source of the poison entering the chinchilla’s body must be determined. In the first hours after the onset of symptoms, it is recommended to give the animal strong emetics (Anamorphine) or laxatives, and also be sure to rinse the stomach. For washing, use ordinary warm water, in which crushed charcoal (you can use activated) charcoal is dissolved. Flax seed decoction, milk or any dairy products also help well.

Poisoning is always accompanied by severe dehydration, so it is necessary to monitor the constant presence of water in the drinking bowl.

If the pet does not drink, it is given artificially from a syringe every hour.

Dental diseases

Most often, a chinchilla does not eat due to dental problems. Hooked teeth or malocclusion is a common and common disease not only in chinchillas, but in all rodents. First symptoms:

Poor appetite or refusal to eat,
Fast weight loss,
The animal chews each piece of food for a long time and thoroughly,
Selects only the smallest and softest pieces,
Profuse salivation
Inflammation of the tissues of the lower jaw.

A more serious stage of the disease is accompanied by lethargy, copious discharge from the eyes and nose.
The cause of the problem is a genetic predisposition to improper placement of molars in the oral cavity. This leads to improper grinding of the molars - the rubbing surface as a result of such grinding comes into contact with the grinding surface of another tooth at an acute angle. Long and very sharp hooks form on the surface of the tooth, which injure the delicate mucous tissue of the cheeks, palate and tongue. This causes severe pain to the animal and makes it difficult to chew and swallow food.

When the disease is advanced, the pet loses more than ten percent of its weight, bowel movements become rare and are often in the form of very loose stools, the animal constantly rubs its muzzle and tries to get something out of its mouth, often yawns, and shows restlessness.

Treatment is carried out by removing or filing the hooks. If the disease is advanced, then the correction must be repeated every 4 - 5 months until the bite is completely restored. The procedure is carried out only in a veterinary clinic and under anesthesia.

Flatulence

Bloating in chinchillas usually occurs when too much green and juicy food is included in the diet. Green feed (especially legumes - clover and alfalfa) cause strong fermentation and gas formation. The disease is also accompanied by noisy and difficult breathing. Characteristic cramps are heard in the tummy. The pet becomes lethargic and refuses food and water. In more rare cases, flatulence leads to cramps. After convulsions, the chinchilla’s body temperature drops sharply to a dangerous 34.5 degrees. Young and weak animals may die at this moment.

Treatment of flatulence involves the use of adsorbent drugs:

Espumisana,
Carbolena,
Activated carbon.

Magnesia and antibiotics have also proven themselves well: Etazol and Norsulfazol. They are given in 45 - 50 grams. You can also give Biomycin - about 20 grams. When treating flatulence, it is necessary to force the animal to move, since usually a sick chinchilla prefers to sit or even lie down. Movement is necessary to restore bowel function. A tummy massage, as well as an enema with warm and slightly soapy water, will also help.

On the first day after symptoms of the disease are detected, all hay and any remaining feed are removed from the feeders, leaving only water. On the second day, if the dynamics are positive, you can give the animal a little hay. On the third day - a little hay and granulated food.

Heatstroke

Keeping your pet improperly or living in a hot climate can lead to heat stroke. Overheating of the chinchilla's body is accompanied by:

Lethargy,
Refusal to eat
The animal doesn't drink
Breathing and heart rate increase,
The mucous membranes become pale.

Severe overheating can also cause convulsions, animals fall on their sides and lose coordination of movement.

Severe heat stroke can cause the death of an animal.

First aid is to move the chinchilla to a cool, shaded place with good ventilation but no drafts. You can place a damp, cold towel on your head. If heat stroke causes convulsions, it is necessary to give an intramuscular injection with a caffeine solution - no more than two milliliters, and in case of heart problems, no more than two milliliters of twenty percent camphor oil and about twenty milliliters of a twenty percent solution of ordinary glucose are injected subcutaneously.

Chinchilla diseases: symptoms and treatment

Digestive system

The digestive system of chinchillas is very sensitive, because the absorption of food in the intestines occurs with the help of intestinal flora, the animals cannot regurgitate food, and due to the absence of a gallbladder, they are not able to digest excessively fatty foods and saccharides.

Bloating.

Occurs as a result of overeating or impaired intestinal motility. The main symptoms are gurgling in the stomach, the animal is lethargic, apathetic, and stops eating. You can give the chinchilla a suspension of live bacteria (probiotics for guinea pigs or chinchillas) and make the animal move. Antibiotics and fatty foods should not be given.

Constipation or diarrhea

. The animal refuses water and food, moves little, feces become dry and small. Give the chinchilla more water (if she doesn’t drink, drink from a syringe without a needle, sometimes injections are prescribed). To improve peristalsis, give hay, vegetable oil, and soaked black bread. Sometimes constipation occurs due to hairballs: you need to brush your pet regularly and give them products that improve the digestion of hair. For diarrhea, you need to give liquid food, buy electrolyte solutions at the pharmacy; soft cereals and mixtures, as well as hay, are suitable for feeding. They give a decoction of rice, an infusion of chamomile, burnet, and oak bark. For gastrointestinal infections, Bifitrilak, Fthalazol, Liarsin, Vetom, Hilak Forte are indicated. It is imperative to disinfect the animal’s house, toys and drinking bowls. If diarrhea does not go away for 2 or more days, contact your veterinarian.

Intestinal parasites.

The most common types of helminths in chinchillas are Giardia, Coccidia, and Cryptsporidia. The appearance of parasites may be accompanied by diarrhea, weight loss in the animal, urination problems, drowsiness, and deterioration of the coat. Infection occurs through contaminated water and plant food. Medicines are prescribed by a veterinarian depending on the type of helminths: for lambiasis - albendozole, flagyl, fenbendazole, for coccidosis and cryptosporidium - sulfadimethoxine. Salmonellosis in chinchillas can occur without any symptoms and often ends in the death of the animal.

Intestinal obstruction.

The intestine is one of the most vulnerable places in the chinchilla’s body. Sometimes intestinal obstruction occurs - blockage from hairballs, plant fibers or accidentally swallowed objects

Chinchillas almost cannot tolerate surgical intervention, so it is important to contact a veterinarian in time - he will prescribe treatment. Symptoms – lethargy, the pet lies on its side, refuses food and water, it may become bloated, constipated

Skin diseases in chinchillas

Gnawing fur

The animals usually chew off their fur on the sides of the body. The exact reason for this behavior is unknown, but it is assumed that this is due to a lack of methionine in the feed or poor absorption of it. The cause may also be a lack of unsaturated fatty acids. A positive result is observed when methionine and pieces of lard are added to the feed. The lard is cut into rectangular slices and hung from a net so that the animals can bite them freely without dirtying the fur.

Ringworm

It is a contagious fungal disease that causes changes in the skin, leading to hair loss. Most often it starts around the nose, on the ears, and at the base of the tail. From the moment the first signs are detected, the chinchilla needs to be moved to another room, the affected areas should be lubricated with a mycodermin preparation, and the same drug should be added to the sand for bathing. The cage should be disinfected. The drugs Vacderm and Grisiofulvin give good results in the treatment of lichen. It should be remembered that lichen is much easier to treat in the initial stage.

Why doesn't the chinchilla drink or eat?

Poisoning in small animals can occur due to various nitrates that have entered the food, or too salty food. In this case, the pet completely refuses to eat. At the same time, the chinchilla drinks water

in large quantities.
How much chinchillas drink
depends on the severity of the poisoning. Also, when poisoned, they are characterized by grinding of teeth and copious amounts of saliva. Monitor your pet's diet very carefully, as poisoning can lead to paralysis.

Loss of appetite in an animal is the first symptom of the disease. If you find that your pet is not eating enough, be sure to contact a veterinary clinic or call a veterinarian at home.

This will save you time and give you confidence in the health of your chinchilla. Don't forget to monitor the condition of your pets.

When is it necessary to go to the doctor?

Dogs cannot explain and show a person what and where they hurt, so every owner should be attentive to his four-legged friend.

You must be able to recognize by external signs that your pet needs help.

If the symptoms of the disease are vivid and you cannot help the dog on your own, do not put off visiting the veterinarian.

In what cases do you need specialist help:

the dog does not drink or eat for a long time;
the dog becomes weaker, sleeps a lot, is apathetic and lethargic;
refuses to go for a walk;
body temperature rises;
the animal loses weight;
convulsions appeared;
there is no urination or defecation for more than a day.

The reasons for such behavior are both psychological and physiological.

In the article, I talked about the reasons why dogs refuse to drink and eat. Describes the dangers associated with insufficient food and fluid intake. She explained when it is necessary to contact a veterinarian. She gave the norms of water consumption for the animal.

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Why the chinchilla doesn’t eat, doesn’t drink and is lethargic, how to help your pet

Chinchilla owners know that these animals have an excellent appetite. They are almost always chewing something, looking for something to eat. Therefore, when the owner notices that the chinchilla is lethargic, has become apathetic, refuses to play, does not eat or drink, he begins to sound the alarm. This is reasonable, because such behavior on the part of a pet may indicate the presence of serious health problems.

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What kind of disease is this

Ringworm or dermatophytosis is an infectious lesion of the skin and hair of animals caused by a variety of pathogenic fungi. Conventionally, pathogens are divided into local microflora, which is always found on the skin of rodents (zooanthropophilic), and fungi that live freely in the environment (geophilic). Ringworm is often a collective name for fungal infestations, which differ in their general clinical manifestations.

Did you know? Chinchillas are one of the youngest domesticated animals; they have been actively bred as pets only since the 90s of the last century.

One of these is a focal nodular rash, which gradually turns into inflammation of the skin with characteristic papules. Ringworm is often not accompanied by pain or other unpleasant sensations, so it is quite easily tolerated by chinchillas.

Infectious diseases of chinchillas

Infections do not always occur outside the home. Inside its home, a chinchilla can become infected with one or another disease through drink and food, contaminated litter, insect bites (mosquitoes, bedbugs), or contact with another sick pet.

Infectious diseases are especially dangerous, since most of them lead to the death of a pet. However, it is worth noting that any virus can kill a pet if it is allowed to spread.

Infectious diseases that a chinchilla can contract are difficult to cure and can be fatal. These include.

Tuberculosis

Often, tuberculosis infection occurs after drinking contaminated milk or after contact with an already infected chinchilla. The disease is caused by a virus called tuberculosis bacillus. Usually in pets the pulmonary form is found, much less often - the intestinal one.

Tuberculosis is dangerous for humans. An infected pet is lethargic, refuses to play, does not want to take food and water, defecates with diarrhea, loses weight, coughs and sneezes, breathes heavily, and has shortness of breath.

Feeding chinchillas

Feeding is one of the most important processes in caring for pet chinchillas. Feeding chinchillas should be economical and as varied as possible, with the addition of natural vegetation.

By the nature of their diet, a domestic animal, like a wild animal, is a herbivore (phytophage), feeding on all parts of plants. Chinchillas get used to eating certain foods from an early age; they learn the skills of eating food from adults. This circumstance makes it possible to accustom young animals to eating one or another food that they have not eaten before.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of this disease is not difficult, so examination for the presence of pathology can be carried out in almost any veterinary clinic. To identify dermatophytosis, two radically different approaches are used:

examination using a Wood's lamp - the rodent is brought into a dark room and illuminated with a mercury lamp using ultraviolet radiation: in the presence of a fungal infection, the affected areas acquire a slight green glow;

microbiological examination - samples of exfoliated skin and hair are taken from a presumably sick individual, which are carefully examined under a microscope; the presence of a fungus can be confirmed if fungal mycelium and numerous spores are found on the samples.

Important! The Wood's lamp remains powerless if the chinchilla's skin is infected with trichophytosis, since it does not respond to ultraviolet light

Parasitic diseases of chinchillas

There are diseases that are caused by various parasites. Parasites include ticks, worms, lice and others. The fight against them is a fight for the living against the living, therefore you should not carry out treatment on your own. It is worth getting a doctor’s recommendation for any drug.

Different parasites attack different parts of the body. Common parasitic diseases in chinchillas.

Ectoparasites

Ectoparasites are parasitic organisms that affect the skin and hair of a pet. These include lice, ticks and lice-eaters.

Such an attack on a chinchilla is revealed by the presence of itching and anxiety, the pet becomes irritable. Further progression of the problem is characterized by constant scratching, baldness - the pet may go bald (the fur comes off in large tufts, the bald patches are large and visible) or chew out its fur, the appearance of many inflamed wounds on the skin, and comb-overs. Wounds tend to bleed, this is due to scratching by the pet.

Such troubles are treated using special collars for dogs and cats, or under veterinary observation in a clinic and treatment with special medications. It is impossible to neglect the problem of ectoparasites, because this is fraught with the development of anemia or even the death of the pet.

Worms

Chinchilla worms parasitize the internal organs. Typically these organs are the intestines, kidneys, liver, lungs. From time to time, inflammation occurs that is associated with the migration of larvae.

Parasitism of worms is based on the release of toxins, leading the animal to emaciation and intoxication. The affected chinchilla experiences diarrhea, constant lethargy and apathy. Chinchilla loses weight, parasites are found in excrement.

The infection is detected by testing the pet's stool. Treatment occurs with the use of antiparasitic drugs.

It is important not to neglect the problem of worms, otherwise the death of your beloved pet cannot be avoided. Animals that were once found to have parasites in their feces are already heavily infected and rapidly lose weight

It is worth understanding that any organ infected with parasites can fail at any time.

Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis is contracted through contaminated food, water, natural bedding, or contact with a sick animal. The disease is caused by the bacterium coccidia. It parasitizes the mucous membranes.

Externally, coccidiosis manifests itself as lethargy and apathy on the part of the pet, significant weight loss, diarrhea and constipation, and frequent intestinal bloating. In the body, the mucous membrane of the small intestine is destroyed. This disrupts the digestion process and many other vital processes. Chinchillas with coccidiosis often experience seizures and paralysis of the limbs.

Treatment of eye diseases

In any case, an animal with symptoms of the disease should be examined by a specialist to determine the causes and prescribe adequate treatment. This does not mean that your pet should be deprived of pre-medical care.

The following can be suggested as such measures:

Thoroughly clean the area around the eyes using a cotton swab moistened with warm boiled water.
Remove dried crusts of exudate in the corners.
The use of traditional chamomile infusions or tea is possible only after they have been filtered. Gauze or bandage folded 4-5 times will do.
You can wash your eyes with sterile saline solution.
Apply 2 drops of anti-inflammatory drops, for example Tsiprovet.

Remember that common diseases, no matter how rare they may be, may require additional examination and prescription of medications. Do not use medications intended for people or other pets. Susceptibility to drugs in rodents may differ, especially since selecting the correct dose of drugs requires certain knowledge.

What to feed your chinchilla?

Rodents should only be given water to drink. And, firstly, you need to understand that a chinchilla is a wild animal and boiled water is not suitable for it. Although some owners believe that you can even give your pet boiled water. It's a delusion. Secondly, although there are no microbes in boiled water, there are practically no useful substances there either.

The best water for a chinchilla is spring or well water. Bottled drinking or filtered water is also suitable. It is very important to realize that humans and rodents have completely different digestions and the need for micro and macroelements. Therefore, chinchillas should not be given fluoridated water under any circumstances.

Water purified by reverse osmosis must be additionally mineralized. To do this, an additional mineralizer is installed on the filter. If this is not done, then such drinking will harm the pet. Water purified in this way flushes out the minerals the rodent needs for proper functioning.

Chinchilla is lethargic, lying

If the chinchilla lies and does not move,

At the same time, she has no appetite, then this is definitely a disease. Which one exactly is difficult to determine. Only a veterinarian can do this. Under no circumstances should you self-diagnose or self-medicate.

Often the causes of illness are poor nutrition. If your chinchilla is lying

and is not active, then think about her diet. Nutrition should be of high quality and balanced. For this you can use special feed. Also, your chinchilla should always have access to clean drinking water. It is possible that your chinchilla is lethargic.

precisely because of lack of fluid.
This is called dehydration. In this case, the chinchilla lies on its side
constantly and breathes heavily. These animals really need to drink clean water. A large number of infections enter the body through unfiltered water. In the future, this will contribute to the development of diseases.

Helping chinchillas at home

Never be afraid to contact your veterinarian again. When it comes to your pet's health, you need to be very vigilant. Neglected diseases very often end in death.

Weakness is also an abnormal behavior of the animal. It is recommended to consult a veterinarian even for such trifles.

In addition, the service of calling a veterinarian to your home is now very popular. Qualified specialists will always provide you with quality medical care. Love your pets and take care of their health.

Requirements for the drinking bowl

You shouldn’t make a drinking bowl with your own hands; they already cost only 200-300 rubles and will serve you for many years. Chinchilla drinkers are purchased with a nipple, but it is not recommended to place a saucer of water on them.

Always keep an eye on the drinking bowl to keep your animal healthy:

The drinking bowl must be clean, wash it at least once a week
Make sure that the water does not bloom, otherwise the animal will quickly get sick.
During general cleaning of the cage, do not forget to disinfect the drinking bowl.

How long can a chinchilla live without water and food?

This is far from an idle question. It arises among owners when there is a need to leave the animal alone for a short time or take it with them when going on the road.

In their natural habitat (the desert highlands of the Andes), chinchillas are content with dew and moisture from their food. This adaptive reaction is due to the fact that in the mountains one cannot rely on scanty and infrequent precipitation as a constant source of water.

It is believed that a chinchilla can live without food for a week. If she has plenty of hay and water, then such a hunger strike will not harm her health. The animal can live without water for more than a day, provided that it receives plenty of succulent food.

The figures given are arbitrary; you can use them as a guide if necessary. But testing their correctness by experimenting with an animal is hardly humane. Don't deprive him of food and drink without good reason.

Almost the only reason for forced starvation of a pet is indigestion. In this case, it is recommended to feed hay without restrictions.

Even if the doctor has prescribed a complete hunger strike, there is no reason to deprive the animal of water. Water should be available around the clock, especially during illness or hot weather.

During transportation, when fluid intake has to be limited, you can give your pet a dried apple. The moisture contained in it will be enough for the animal to last for the duration of the trip. True, you shouldn’t get carried away with apples, remembering their laxative effect on the animal’s intestines.

What NOT to do:

- wait “suddenly the appetite is about to appear.” Cats should not fast for more than 3 days, dogs for more than 5. Even without taking into account liver lipidosis, as a formidable complication of fasting in cats, it is enough to mention the decrease in protective forces, the weakening of the intestinal barrier with the risk of infection by pathogenic bacteria and the death of beneficial microflora, a decrease in the number protein and albumin with the likelihood of “hunger edema”, etc. A whole cascade of pathological reactions will worsen the prognosis every day, while increasing the cost of treatment and the volume of necessary procedures. Therefore, the sooner you consult a doctor and the sooner nutrition is resumed (the cause is eliminated or drips/tube feeding are started), the higher the chances of a successful outcome.

– force-feed the animal from a syringe if there is vomiting or a completely categorical refusal. In such cases, the animal’s nutritional support for some time should be alternative (droppers, probes), because Many cats develop a sharply negative reaction to all “violence”, even to the point of gagging on food. This does not exclude frequent OFFERING food to the animal (from your finger, spread on the paw, muzzle, gums).

– in case of reduced or very weak appetite, give the animal medications with food (except in extreme cases, discussed with the doctor)

It is important to maintain and stimulate appetite as much as possible, and not change the usual taste and smell for the worse.

- this position can be disputed and is decided individually in each case, but in general, in many situations it is more important to restore and maintain appetite than to switch to a diet as early as possible. Therefore, for a cat with stage 3 chronic kidney disease (according to the IRIS classification) with hyporexia/anorexia, offering a renal diet is less justified than at stage 1, when appetite is preserved and long-term dietary feeding will have a positive effect.

There are exceptions (with a confirmed diagnosis of “acute pancreatitis”, giving tasty pork can turn into a tragedy), so check with your doctor what goodies you can choose from to stimulate your appetite! The strict ban also applies to frankly “junk food” – sweets, fried foods, etc.

– try to gain back the lost weight as soon as possible with increased nutrition. Weight gain rates should be controlled, especially in the first days of restoring appetite after a fast (especially a long one), when portions should be very small and frequent. Check the need for a special diet!

– if the animal has a reduced/lost appetite, do not try to feed the animal before the doctor’s appointment (even with small pieces)! You will definitely need blood tests, which are as reliable as possible on an empty stomach.

How much water does a chinchilla drink per day?

There are no clear recommendations in this regard. For each individual, the norm is determined purely individually and depends on:

on the animal’s well-being;
his age;
temperament and character;
climate and weather conditions;
season;
feed composition;
emotional state of the animal.

For example, chinchilla babies hardly need water during the feeding period. The liquid contained in mother's milk is enough for them. A nursing female drinks more than usual, which is natural in her position.

Adult rodents can drink less if they have enough moisture from juicy food - apples, pears, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, greens.

Calm chinchillas, older individuals or sick rodents consume less fluid than temperamental, young and healthy animals.

In winter, autumn and spring, chinchillas drink less than in summer. Some owners note a decrease in their pets' appetite in hot weather, while they drink more water.

On average, an animal drinks from 10 to 40 ml of liquid per day. To know how much water your pet needs, make a mark on the drinking bowl. Check the remainder at the same time 24 hours later. Taking readings during the day will not give the correct result because the chinchilla is active at night, during which time it eats and drinks.

How to accustom to a drinking bowl

Chinchillas are quite smart animals, so getting them used to drinking water is not that difficult. If you usually had a saucer, then you need to remove it and install a new drinker with a valve. Without your help, they are unlikely to learn to drink from it, so they need to be shown how it is done.

To accustom a chinchilla to drinking water, she must first trust you, i.e. be tame and afraid of you. Next you need to show the animal how to use it. Lure her to the drinking bowl and press the ball so that the water flows; the animal should watch you with curiosity. It is best to start training them after 1-2 hours, when you have removed their regular saucer, so that they become thirsty. Without thirst, the animal may not even come to you, because it has satisfied all its desires.

Repeat the training process several times until the chinchilla learns to pull the ball. Don't be disappointed if you can't get him to drink from a bottle on the first day. Just put the saucer back on them and repeat the exercise the next day. Be sure to show the chinchilla how and where to apply pressure so that water flows. They are smart and will quickly remember this, and when she drinks on her own for the first time, you can reward her with a treat.

You can very quickly accustom your chinchilla to drinking water if:

One of the animals already knows how to drink from a drinking bowl and the other will simply learn from him
Cubs learn quickly from mom

Why does the flower “female happiness” wither?

As a rule, the wilting of spathiphyllum is associated with five main reasons:

improper care;
container that is inconvenient for proper plant development;
unsuitable soil composition;
serious illnesses;
insect pests.

You can determine why your favorite flower is fading by its external signs.

Why did it drop its leaves?

Most often, gardeners are faced with the problem of drooping leaves; just yesterday, “female happiness” proudly raised the dark green foliage up, and today all the greenery has fallen and is tenderly hugging the pot.

Such a nuisance can happen to a flower for the following reasons:

Dried soil. The problem arises as a result of irregular and not abundant watering. In addition to an acute lack of moisture, the leaves also experience a lack of nutrients that enter the root system along with the liquid. As a result, the plates lose their elasticity, sag and turn yellow. Excessively dry soil can be identified by the crust that has formed on the surface.
Unsuitable liquid for irrigation. If you irrigate a flower with too cold water, its root system may experience temperature shock. Too hard tap water that has not settled is also not suitable.
Excessive irrigation. Spathiphyllum does not like drought, but abundant watering is also detrimental to it. If liquid stagnates in the pan, the root system may rot, and this in turn will not only cause the foliage to wither, but will ultimately lead to the death of the plant.
Drafts. Spathiphyllum, like any plant, loves warmth. Prolonged exposure to a draft or a cold room with frequent watering can cause its foliage to quickly wilt. Due to prolonged exposure to the cold, the root system of the flower dies and cannot be restored.
Incorrect transplant. Any plant needs a bowl that is ideal in size. Spathiphyllum is no exception. As soon as the flower reaches a certain size, it must be transplanted into a suitable container where its root system will develop correctly.
Unsuitable soil. Too dense and heavy soil with high acidity, as well as a disturbed drainage layer, can cause leaves to wither due to a lack of liquid that lingers in the soil and does not reach the roots.
Diseases and pests. Infection of spathiphyllum with aphids, thrips, spider and soft-bodied mites, felt mites, chlorosis or gommosis leads to deformation of the leaf plates, their drooping appearance and color change.

The whole plant has withered

Wilting of leaf blades is the first sign of incipient diseases or problems associated with improper care. If the cause is not identified in time and appropriate measures are not taken, the flower will shed its leaves, and wilting will spread to its trunk and rhizome, and this, in turn, will cause the death of the plant.

Most often, spathiphyllum withers completely due to rotting of the root system, which occurs as a result of infection by infectious rot or late blight, as well as due to violation of watering rules. The condition of the roots can also be affected by incorrectly selected soil, which will not allow the nutrients necessary for proper growth and development to pass through to them.

What treats does a chinchilla eat?

Animals, like children, love to be pampered a little, so you can give them an occasional treat. As treats, you can use raisins, finely chopped dried apricots, dried apples and much more, but only in small quantities. It is also recommended to give barberry and rose hips, as they have special beneficial properties.. Do not overuse nuts .

If you feed your chinchilla greens, you should definitely follow certain rules - the green leaves of clover and dandelion must be sufficiently wilted before serving. It is not recommended to eat a lot of potatoes and beets, and carrots must be washed first.

The presence of wooden chocks and dry branches in the cage also brings joy to the animal. The rodent likes to grind down its front teeth; it needs dry tree branches. It is better to use branches of ordinary trees rather than coniferous ones, as they contain various resins. In addition, on the market you can find special chalk stones that also serve as a mineral supplement.

Caution : It should be noted that the science of proper nutrition is quite inaccurate, so DO NOT HURRY to apply and experiment on your animals everything you have heard somewhere!!!!