Consulting your veterinarian is always going to be the best defense against any illness your pet chinchilla may come down with; with a phone call you can speak with him or her about any symptoms, concerns or to just ask questions. It is also important to schedule regular check-ups for your little guy or gal.
Chinchillas are an exotic pet so a veterinarian who specializes in exotic pets is the best choice for you and your pet. The veterinarian and his assistants will also most likely offer you some literature and suggestions on how to improve the care and health of your pet chinchilla.
Even though chinchillas are normally very healthy, there is a good chance that at some point in his life yours will at the very least have some kind of mild form of illness. Chinchillas are quick, agile, sturdy and very active little creatures. But, do not let this appearance fool you; the chinchilla is really quite fragile underneath its soft furry little coat.
A chinchilla’s bones are fragile and therefore can be easily broken. If you grasp one too tightly you could hurt or even injure him. Most accidents are caused by rough handling; even though the owner does not mean to injure the pet, it does happen. Children, especially small children, should always be supervised while handling or playing with your chinchilla for this reason.
Some helpful tips to remember when you have a pet chinchilla are:
1.) Always be sure to first chinchilla proof any room you allow your pet to play in.
2.) Monitor and keep the pet in this area when out of his cage.
3.) Never allow your chinchilla to chew on anything made of plastic.
4.) Keep power cords up and out of his reach.
5.) Do not let your pet climb on anything unstable as it could fall on him.
6.) Never allow your pet anywhere near cleaning products or chemicals.
In considering number six above, there is something particular to note about small pet rodents; a classification under which your chinchilla falls. These little animals suffer extreme difficulty when exposed to the strong odors of chemicals. Your chinchilla breaths in and out rapidly, so he will all the more quickly breathe them in.
These “airbornes” can be very harmful to the health of your chinchilla and could even kill him if he is exposed to them for any length of time. Depending on the density or toxicity, irreparable harm could be caused in a matter of seconds. Also, being very inquisitive little animals, they may even lick the container sides or any “pooling” around the bottom. So, just as you would for a small child, put these types of product up and out of reach.