The average Life Span of a chinchilla ranges from 8 – 10 years and they have been known to live for as long as 18 years. While it is of course important to keep your pet warm, it is also important to know that they can easily suffer and die from heat stroke; the best range of environmental temperature for them is between 60 and 75 degress farenheight and their body temperature should fall between 97 and 100 degress farenheit.

It is important to know your chinchillas life expectancy, his needed external temperatures and his optimum body temperature but watching these things and adhearing to what he needs to live a long and healthy life are not garantees that he will not become ill at some point in his life. You could be doing everything possible to keep him healthy, from proper feeding, to providing a healthy living environment, to regular visits with his doctor, but he may still become sick or injured.

Below is a listing of the illnesses most common for a chinchilla:
– Eye problems
– Ear, Nose and Mouth problems
– Pneumonia
– Diarrhoea
– Constipation
– Fur problems

We will discuss the basics of each of these health issues…..

Eye Problems

Healthy eyes are clear and glistening. If you notice any discharge, or the eyelids are inflamed and sore looking, it is a good indication that they are irritated and/or infected. This can be treated with medication you will obtain from your Veterinarian. If your chinchilla is rubbing or scratching at his eyes, you obviously won’t be able to stop him and will need to get to the doctor as soon as possible before irreversable damage is done.

Ear and Nose problems

– Ears
If your chinchilla is scratching at, or there is any discharge from his ears or if he shows difficulty with balance and direction, you should take your chinchilla to his doctor. When you get him home, do not let him take a dust bath until the Veterinarian gives you the “all clear”.

– Runny Nose
Discharge from the nose may mean that your chinchilla has a cold. Keep him warm and make sure that you provide a lot of fresh water. You can put pieces of carrot in a dish of water, he will get the extra needed water by eating the pieces.You can also place a cool-mist humidifier or vaporizer next to the cage, placing a towel over the back and sides of his little “home”. This should help clear the problem. If the conditions worsen, take your chinchilla to the vet.

Mouth problems

Your chinchillas is a rodents, and being such means that his teeth will grow continuously throughout his life. Therefore, it is very important to ensure that he always has something to chew and wear his teeth down on on. If the teeth become overgrown, it can make it very difficult for your pet to eat; he will lose weight and become weak and, therefore, more susceptible to illness.
Other signs that the teeth have become too long will be drooling, pawing at the mouth or swelling around the area. It may become necessary to take your chinchilla to the Veterinarian to have his teeth trimmed. Normally, this can be avoided by supplying the proper types and amounts of chewing materials.

– Malocclusion
Unfortunately, many chinchillas suffer from a dental problem known as malocclusion. With this condition, the upper and lower teeth elongate and the roots grow into the eye and brain. This is very painful for your pet and if it’s become severe enough, can lead to having to mercifully have him put to sleep.

– continued in the next post (1/14/10)