Download Chinchilla

Continuing Education
The Handling and Care of
the Chinchilla
Sabrina Timperman, DVM Chinchillas (“chins”) are generally gentle
This program was reviewed and approved by the
AAVSB RACE program for 1 hour of continuing
education in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB
RACE approval. Please contact the AAVSB RACE
program if you have any comments/concerns
regarding this program’s validity or relevancy
to the veterinary profession.
animals with playful and loving personalities, and their popularity as pets is growing
steadily. They have a very dense, soft coat
that made them very popular in the fur trade
for years, and they were often hunted for
their coats. The chinchilla’s natural habitat
is in South America high up in the Andes
Mountains. For a variety of reasons, including
diminished natural habitat and over-hunting,
the number of wild chinchillas are diminishing
in spite of efforts to protect them.1
Chinchillas are rodents, and like guinea
pigs, belong to a rodent group known as
caviomorphs. Caviomorphs have small
litters born after a relatively long gestation.
The average gestation for a chinchilla is 4
months, but the gestation of the most common species, Chinchilla langier, is 105 to
118 days. On average, there are 2 (1 to 6)
kits per litter. When the kits are born, they
are precocious with their eyes open, have
fur and look very much like miniature adults.
They are able to move around immediately.
This is in contrast to another group of rodents, myomorphs, which consist of rats and
mice. Myomorphs breed very rapidly and
have a shorter pregnancy of 20 to 22 days;
their offspring are altricious (entirely dependent on the parent) and are born naked.1
There are two species of chinchillas, but all
domesticated chinchillas are believed to be
Publication of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America
41
Continuing Education
Chinchilla, continued
descendents of the Chinchilla lanigera, the
long-tailed chinchilla.1
Physical characteristics
Chinchillas are the size of a large squirrel
and have small, compact bodies, bright
eyes and large broad ears that are used to
help the animal stay cool in warm weather.
They also have veins that are very close
to the surface of the ears which allow for
cooling of the blood, helping to prevent
overheating. They have a long, bushy tail
that helps to balance them while jumping,
hopping and running. Chinchillas’ strong
hind legs allow them to be very agile, and
they are known for their acrobatic and lively
antics, especially when they are young.
Their front limbs are shorter and have five
digits each with a blunt claw. They use their
digits much like fingers and hold on to their
food while balancing on their hind feet.
Like other rodents, chinchillas have strong,
open-rooted teeth that grow continuously throughout their lives. This can cause
problems when the teeth are not properly
aligned and their natural wear is disrupted.
A chinchilla is born with its teeth, which
start off white. As they age, the color of the
teeth changes from white to yellow.2 White
teeth in an adult chin are abnormal and
is evidence of a calcium deficiency.3 Due
to their constant gnawing and chewing,
healthy teeth are crucial for the health and
vitality of the chinchilla, and dental problems are one of the most common reasons
a chinchilla is taken to the veterinarian.
a penis. However, the anogenital distance
from the urinary papilla to the anus is closer
in the female than the male. A considerable amount of skin separates the penis
and anus in the male, leading to a larger
anogenital distance allowing for accurate
sexing.4 Adult females also tend to be larger
at 400-600 grams than their male counterparts with adult weights of 400-500 grams.4
Behavior
Chinchillas are nocturnal and crepuscular
(active at twilight or just before sunrise).
Because they are prey animals, they
are constantly on guard and can easily be frightened or alarmed. Chinchillas
love to move about and are usually good
climbers, jumpers and leapers. However,
traumatic fractures often occur when they
are startled, improperly grabbed by the
leg or if their leg gets caught in the cage
bars. It is not uncommon for a chinchilla to
be presented to the veterinary clinic with a
broken tibia.4
Environment issues
Chinchillas can be sexed by examining the
anogenital distance. The large urinary papilla of a female can often be confused for
Many of the problems seen in chinchillas
stem from inadequate or improper care; so,
a basic understanding of a chinchilla’s husbandry requirements is helpful in diagnosis
and treatment. The first thing a chinchilla
needs is adequate housing. It’s enclosure
should be large enough to allow for plenty of
jumping and climbing. Due to their nervous
nature, chinchillas do best when their housing is not approachable on all four sides. Putting the enclosure in a corner alleviates this
problem and acts to diminish their level of
stress, so that they are less likely to attempt
sudden escapes with resulting traumatic
injuries. The enclosure should always be put
in a cool, draft-free room. Chinchillas are very
susceptible to heat stroke and can easily
become overheated, making a cool environment crucial to their health. Solid floor caging is best as their feet can get caught and
injured in a wire mesh floor. They can also
develop hair loss and sores on their feet due
to wire meshing.1,2,3,4 A tile can be used for
cooling purposes and to protect their feet.
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The NAVTA Journal | Jan. / Feb. 2012
Its plush fur coat is one of the chinchilla’s
most appealing features. Its density is due
to the fact that each hair follicle has 50
hairs (humans have one hair per follicle.)3
As a result of this dense coat, chinchillas
aren’t prone to ectoparasites like fleas,
ticks, and mites, but they require dust baths
to keep their coats healthy.3
In terms of substrate, there is a wide ranging opinion on what makes the best floor
covering. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Many suggest bedding should
consist of soft wood shavings or recycled
paper bedding. Inappropriate beddings,
including cedar wood chips (which can
contain potentially dangerous resins), saw
dust (which is too fine leading to sneezing
and eye irritation) and newspaper (which
can contain poisonous chemicals) should
be avoided.1
As mentioned earlier, a dust bath is
required to allow the chinchilla to properly
care for its coat. Daily dust bathing prevents the fur from becoming matted with
oily secretions. Too much time in a dust
bath, however, can result in dry skin and
conjunctivitis. Chinchillas should be placed
in a dust bath daily or several times a week
but should not have free access all the
time. Commercial chinchilla dust is available
at many pet stores, and the dust should be
placed in a shallow pan at a depth of 1-2
inches, allowing enough room for the chinchilla to easily move and roll around.
Nutrition and Feeding
Chinchillas are herbivores and are classified as hindgut fermenters, like rabbits and
horses. The specific nutritional requirements of the chinchilla are not completely
known, but they thrive best when eating a
high fiber diet. Commercial pelleted diets
are available and the accepted formula for
chinchilla pellets are 16-20% protein, 2-5
% fat and 15-35% fiber.4 Pellets should be
formulated primarily from timothy hay. Hay
is also another essential component of the
diet because it helps to provide a high level
of fiber. Hay helps to wear down the teeth
and provides roughage to regulate stool.
Fiber helps to propel food through the
digestive tract. Inadequate levels of fiber
can lead to gastrointestinal disturbances
such as constipation. Small quantities of
fresh foods such as greens, dried fruits,
sunflower seeds and raisins can be given
as well. Excessive feeding of fresh greens,
Continuing Education
hay that is too young and wet and damp
hay that can contain molds can lead to diarrhea and a disturbance in the bacteria that
normally populate the GI tract. Sudden diet
changes can also predispose chinchillas to
diarrhea. Clean, room-temperature water
provided in a water bottle should always be
available.1,2,3,4
Clinical Techniques
Handling and Restraint
When a chinchilla is brought into a clinic, it
is very important to avoid creating an injury
or worsening an existing one, so proper
handling and restraint is a must. Never lift
a chinchilla up by its tail or ears, and be
aware that a chinchilla can lose a patch of
fur if it is roughly grabbed. This is called fur
slip and is a defense mechanism present
in chinchillas to protect against predators.
Following fur slip, the hair regrowth may
take as long as several months and may
grow in a slightly different color. Chinchillas
are skittish, so talking in a soothing voice
can be helpful. Moving in a direct, confident
manner is advised. When attempting to
remove a chinchilla from its cage, place one
hand under the chinchilla’s body or around
the scruff on its neck to support it and use
the other hand to grasp the base of the tail.
To carry the chinchilla while you are walking,
support it against your chest, holding the
base of the tail with one hand to prevent
jumping. The other hand should be used to
support the abdomen.4
Physical Exam
If possible, examining the chin from a distance before taking it out of its enclosure is
important to assess not only its demeanor,
but also its ability to sit and walk normally.
When doing a physical exam on a chinchilla, you must recognize what is normal and
what is abnormal. A healthy chinchilla has
bright eyes. It is alert, inquisitive, interested
in its surroundings and does not appear
overly groggy or sleep excessively. Its tail
is curled and carried high. Looking at all
aspects of the animal is important. Develop
a routine or check list in your head as you
Table 1 Venipuncture Hints 4,6,7
Site
Needle
Syringe
Jugular vein
22-25 gauge
1-3 ml
Vein is very superficial and skin thinner than guinea pig. Can take larger sample.
Restraint may stress the animal. If stressed, stop procedure. Can do under anesthesia.
Lateral saphenous vein
25-27 gauge
Insulin or tuberculin
Shave fur from the area and wet with alcohol. Venipuncture from several sites
to collect enough blood may be necessary.
Cephalic vein
25-27 gauge
Insulin or tuberculin
Shave fur from the area and wet with alcohol. Venipuncture from several sites
to collect enough blood may be necessary.
Cranial vena cava
22-25 gauge
1-3 ml syringe
Risk of subsequent traumatic bleeding into thoracic cavity or pericardial sac.
Femoral Vein
22-27 gauge
1-3 ml syringe
Located on medial side of the leg so more difficult to access.
Tail vein
25-27 gauge
1 ml syringe
Bleeder holds tail and inserts needle directly on the ventral midline one-third
to halfway down the tail. Advances needle at 30-40 degree angle. Vasodilate
by applying warm compress to tail.
examine the patient, starting at one end
and moving down the body, checking each
body system. Record all vital signs, including weight, temperature, heart rate and
respiratory rate.
A sick chinchilla may be quiet, listless, dull
or hunched in a corner. Usually, it avoids
contact with people. It may have hair loss,
weight loss or a loss of interest in its surroundings. Sneezing, wheezing, coughing
and nasal and ocular discharge are abnormal findings, just like in feline and canine
patients. Check for strong odors, sores or
pain on abdominal palpation. Auscultate the
heart and lungs. Examine the feces. Normal
fecal pellets are elongated, firm and just
barely moist. Look for evidence of diarrhea,
such as smeared feces around the anus,
or a lack of bowel movements indicating constipation. Drooling can also be an
indication of a problem, and an examination
of the teeth is crucial because chinchillas
often develop tooth abnormalities. Do the
oral exam last because this tends to stress
the animal, and stress can affect your physical exam findings.4 Again, teeth should be
yellow (because of iron deposition) and
properly aligned. To better visualize the
cheek teeth, use a speculum or otoscope
while an assistant restrains the animal by
supporting its weight in one hand and holding both forearms.4
Anesthesia
Many diagnostic procedures and treatments are more easily performed under
general anesthesia. Premedication with
sedatives can decrease the amount of anesthetic agents used and shorten recovery
time. It also helps to reduce stress and
anxiety caused by anesthetic induction.
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Chinchilla, continued
Interesting Facts about
Chinchillas1,2,3,4
1. Chinchillas are virtually odorless
most of the time.
2. Chinchillas have 20 teeth and are
born with their teeth.
3. Chinchillas can’t vomit.
4. Chinchillas produce two types of feces.
5. Healthy chinchillas pass more
than 200 fecal pellets a day.
6. Chinchillas’ incisors grow 5 to 7.5 cm
(2-3 inches) per year.
7. Chinchillas primarily eat and excrete
feces at night.
8. Chinchillas have two cervices
and three pairs of mammary glands.
9. Chinchillas are seasonally polyestrous
in the wild like the cat.
10.Chinchillas have an auditory sensitivity
similar to humans and large tympanic
bullae so they are often used in hearing
research.
Physiologic Values2,3,4,7
Average Life Span as Pet:10 years
Weight: M
ales 400-500 g
Females 400-600 g
Heart Rate: 200-350 bpm
Respiratory: Rate : 45-80/min
Temperature: 37-38 C (98.6 – 100.4 F)
Sexual Maturity: 8 months
Weaning Age: 6-8 weeks
Dental Formula: 2(I1/1 C0/0 P1/1 M3/3)
GI Transit Time: 12-15 hours
Chinchilla Taxonomy2
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrat
Class: Mammalia
Subclass: Eutheria
Order: Rodentia
Suborder: Caviomorpha or Hystricognathi
Superfamily: Chinchilloidea
Family: Chinchillidae
Subfamily: Chinchillinae
Genus: Chinchilla
Species: langier and brevicaudata
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Following premedication, induction can
be accomplished with inhalant anesthetics given via mask or induction chamber.
Intubation is difficult in rodents but is
indicated in procedures involving thoracotomy and those disrupting respiratory
neuromuscular signaling. It is also ideal
for oral/dental procedures. Pre-anesthetic
fasting is not required because chinchillas
cannot vomit. However, a fast of 1-2 hours
may be necessary to minimize the risk of
food being left in the mouth and carried into
the trachea during intubation.5 The inhalant
anesthetics, isoflurane and sevoflurane, are
the preferred agents for induction because
they allow rapid induction, recovery and
control of anesthetic depth.4,6 However,
parenteral anesthesia can also be used to
induce anesthesia.4 Various combinations
of drugs, such as ketamine and diazepam
or ketamine and xylazine or ketamine and
acepromazine, may be used.
Blood Collection
Once the physical exam is performed,
samples can be collected to help to evaluate health or narrow down the differential
list. Blood collection from a chinchilla can
be challenging. One of the most important
facts to keep in mind is how much you can
safely take from a chinchilla without hurting
the animal. An adult chinchilla has a total
blood volume of 27-48 ml (or 7 mL/100 g).
Approximately 7 – 10 % of blood volume
can be safely collected from a healthy
chinchilla, making a maximum single sample
volume of approximately 3 – 5 mls (or
0.5-0.7mL/100g) acceptable.4,6
Small samples of blood can be collected
from the cephalic and lateral saphenous
veins, but due to their small size and ease
of collapse, this approach can be difficult.
If these sites are to be used, it is best to
use an insulin or tuberculin syringe and a
narrow-gauge, short needle.4 The jugular
vein is the preferred site for collection of a
larger sample. Jugular venipuncture is best
performed under anesthesia to minimize
stress to the animal. By placing the patient
The NAVTA Journal | Jan. / Feb. 2012
in sternal recumbency, extending the front
limbs over the edge of table and the head
and neck toward the ceiling, you can better
visualize the vein.4 Blood can also be drawn
from the ventral tail vein. The chinchilla can
be restrained by holding its back up against
the restrainer’s belly with its ventrum toward
the person taking blood. The person taking
blood holds the tail with one hand and,
midway up the tail from the tip of the tail to
its base, inserts a small needle at a 3040 degree angle directly at midline. The
sample is collected gently, with the plunger
drawn back slowly.6 Table 1 lists some of
the equipment needed to collect blood.
Other tests
Cystocentesis, similar to the small animal
technique, can be performed to collect
a urine sample. This also is more easily
done when the animal is under anesthesia .
Normal chinchilla urine has a pH of 8.5 and
may contain some calcium carbonate crystals and squamous epithelial cells.7 Urine
does not often contain casts, bacteria,
erythrocytes and leukocytes unless there is
a problem.
If abnormalities are suspected, radiographs
taken under anesthesia are another useful
diagnostic tool.
Common Diseases Affecting
Chinchillas
Trichobezars (Hair balls)
Just like in cats and rabbits, chinchillas
can acquire a mass of hair in its stomach
and intestinal tract, called a trichobezar.
Trichobezars are common in animals that
are fur-chewing and often can be associated with a low-fiber diet. Clinical signs
include lethargy, anorexia, and abdominal
pain that causes a reluctance to move. The
treatment protocol may consist of IV or SC
fluids, gastric motility stimulants and force
feedings of a high fiber diet.4
Constipation
Inappropriate diet is one of the most common and important causes of gastrointes-
Continuing Education
tinal disturbances in chinchillas. Feeding a
diet with too many pellets and not enough
fiber is one of the leading culprits. Obesity,
inadequate fluid consumption and lack of
exercise can also contribute to the development of constipation. If the constipation is
not properly treated, it can ultimately lead
to rectal prolapse. Signs include straining
to defecate, with abnormal feces that are
small, hard and possibly blood tinged, with
fewer pellets actually being passed. Treatment involves increasing dietary fiber by
adding fresh fruits (such as apples), fresh
vegetables (such as carrots) and hay. If
dietary change alone does not resolve the
constipation, over-the-counter feline hairball
remedies can be used to lubricate the
feces, allowing them to pass more easily.
Also, motility enhancers such as cisapride
may be recommended if intestinal blockade
is ruled out. Weight reduction by increasing
the chinchilla’s level of exercise and eliminating snacks can also be beneficial.1,2,4,6,7
Gastroenteritis
This is a serious inflammatory condition
of the gastrointestinal tract that can have
both infectious and noninfectious causes.
The gastrointestinal tract of the chinchilla is
normally colonized by a number of beneficial gram-positive bacterial species that
are crucial to the normal functioning of
the digestive tract. If this delicate bacterial
environment is upset, or the normal flora and
fauna of the GI tract is altered, then harmful
or pathogenic bacteria can overgrow, leading to gastroenteritis. Noninfectious causes
include improper diet and inappropriate or
extended use of antibiotics. This leads to
an overgrowth of harmful bacteria (such as
Escherichia, Clostridium, and Salmonella). Infectious causes include protozoa, bacteria or
parasites. The disease can present in acute
or chronic form and can be difficult to treat.
Animals may present with diarrhea, anorexia,
bloating, lethargy, weight loss, abdominal
pain and death, which can be sudden. Due
to the complexity of the etiology, determining the exact cause can be challenging.
Diagnostics may include fecal flotation
and/or culture. Treatment includes supportive care with fluids, electrolytes, a quiet
stress-free environment, an analgesic for
pain management and perhaps a probiotic.
Additional treatment depends on the cause
and includes appropriate use of antibiotics,
antiparasitics and antiprotozoals.4,7,8
Malocclusion
Malocclusion resulting from uneven wear of
continuously growing teeth is another common disease of chinchillas. Incisors, molars
and premolars can all be affected by abnormal tooth elongation. Causes include genetics, infections, poor husbandry, improper
diet and trauma. The chinchilla can present
with anorexia, ptyalism (slobbering), pawing
at the mouth, changed food preferences,
dysphagia, weight loss, starvation and
death. To properly diagnose malocclusions,
radiographs or other imaging modalities
such as CT scan should be implemented.4
Treatment involves correcting the diet, teeth
trimmings, filing down of the spikes and
reducing crown height of the teeth.
Skin Diseases
Bite wounds, fur chewing, matted fur,
alopecia and other skin issues can all
be caused by improper husbandry. For
example, keeping chinchillas in a humid
environment or not providing access to a
dust bath can contribute to the development of matted fur. In addition, keeping a
chinchilla housed in an improper enclosure,
in a stressful environment (such as around
loud noises), housing too many chins in one
enclosure, or keeping two chins together
who are not compatible can lead to fur
chewing. A chinchilla can chew at its own
fur or its companion causing a coat that
appears moth-eaten. Although there may
be other reasons for this common cause of
fur damage, the belief that fur chewing is a
behavior disorder, due to different kinds of
stress, is the prevailing and most popular
theory. Since the causes of stress can be
multifaceted, treatment varies and most
often is centered on reducing or eliminating
the instigating stress.1,4,7
Another less common dermatologic condition that chinchillas acquire is dermatophytosis. Although the disease is uncommon,
it has zoonotic potential, so monitoring is
important. Dermatophytosis is also known
as ringworm and is caused by a fungus.
It can be introduced to the chinchilla via
contaminated hay or bedding. Trichophyton
mentagrophytes is the dermatophyte that
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45
Continuing Education
Chinchilla, continued
most often causes ringworm in chinchillas.4
Dermatophytosis produces scaly circular
areas of hair loss, seen most commonly on
feet, face and ears. To diagnose, a fungal
culture is required. Trichophyton mentagrophytes does not fluoresce under ultraviolet
light so a Wood’s lamp is not appropriate
for diagnosis. Topical treatment involves
antifungal shampoos and rinses. Systemic
antifungal medication, such as itraconazole,
ketoconazole and terbinafine, may also be
prescribed by the veterinarian.4
Heat Stroke
Since their natural habitat is high in the
mountains, chinchillas are very susceptible
to high temperatures and high humidity.
The ideal environment depends on both the
temperature and the humidity. As a general
rule, the environment is too warm if the
Fahrenheit temperature plus the humidity is
greater than 150. For example, a temperature of 85 degrees Fahrenheit + 70 %
humidity = 155, indicating the environment
is dangerously warm.4 Chinchillas are for
the most part comfortable in a temperature range of 63 to 77 Fahrenheit with a
humidity of 30 to 50 percent.2 If exposed to
elevated heat and humidity, a chinchilla may
develop heat stroke. Signs of heat stroke
include weakness, labored rapid breaths,
bright red mucous membranes, dehydration, swollen ear veins and reddened ears.4
The animal can become unresponsive,
comatose or present dead. Treatment
involves cooling the animal down safely by
immersing the chinchilla in tepid water while
making sure to keep its head above water.2
Giving fluids can also be beneficial; IV fluids are essential if the animal is in shock.
Treatment Techniques
Medications can be given by several different routes, including oral, intramuscular,
subcutaneous and intravascular. Hiding
medication in a raisin or other tasty treat
is one simple way of getting chinchillas
to ingest medication. Liquid medication
can also be squirted easily into the corner
of the mouth behind the incisors, while
46
subcutaneous injections can be put under
the skin in the neck and flank area. Intramuscular injections can be given in the
lumbar muscles. For both subcutaneous
and intramuscular injections, it is best to
use a 23 to 25 gauge needle.7 If fluids are
required, they may be given subcutaneously
in the neck region or intravenously though a
catheter in a peripheral vein. Catheterization
of peripheral veins is often easier to accomplish when the animal is under anesthesia.
These veins are small and hard to access.
As a result, sometimes it is necessary to
perform a jugular cut- down for an indwelling catheter.
Force-feeding a critical care formula or softened guinea pig pellets is sometimes necessary, especially if the animal is anorectic.
4,6,7
This, as well as other supportive care, is
a crucial component of the treatment plan.
Eliminating stress and providing the proper
husbandry and proper nutrition can go a
long way in helping the patient to recover.
At times euthanasia may be necessary, and
the preferred method is lethal injection.
Masking the patient down with an inhalant anesthetic prior to the intravenous or
intracardiac injection of euthanasia solution
is recommended.7
Conclusion:
Although chinchillas require very specific
care and maintenance, owning a chinchilla
can be a rewarding experience. Each
chinchilla has its own unique
personality, and the bond that
can formed through interacting
and caring for these animals can
last for years.
References
1. Alderton D. Animal Planet
Chinchillas. Neptune City, NJ: T.F.H.
Publication Inc.; 2009
2. Vanderlip SL. The Chinchilla
Handbook. Hauppauge, NY: Barron’s Education Series, Inc.; 2006
The NAVTA Journal | Jan. / Feb. 2012
3. Pavia A. Chinchillas. Neptune City, NJ: T.F.H.
Publications Inc.; 2009
4. Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW. Ferrets,
Robbits, and Rodents Clinical Medicine and
Surgery. 2nd ed. St. Louis, MO: Saunders;
2004
5. Bennett A. Small Mammal Anesthesia—Rabbits and Rodents. Paper presented at: Atlantic
Coast Veterinary Conference 2009; Urbana,
IL. http://www.vin.com/Members/Proceedings/
Proceedings.plx?CID=acvc2009&PID=pr532
31&O=VIN. Accessed September 21, 2011.
6. Harkness JE, Turner PV, Woude SV, Wheler
CL. Biology and Medicine of Rabbits and
Rodents. 5th ed. Ames, IA: Blackwell Publishing; 2010
7. Ballard B, Cheek R. Exotic Animal Medicine
For The Veterinary Technician. 2nd ed. Ames,
IA: Blackwell Publishing; 2010
8. Kennedy AH. Chinchilla Diseases and Ailments. Toronto, Canada: Fur Trade Journal of
Canada; 1952
Acknowledgements
Laurie Buell, MS, LVT
About the Author
Sabrina Timperman, DVM, graduated with
a B.A. in Biology from Wagner College and
attended Louisiana State University School
of Veterinary Medicine, where she graduated
in 2005.
Currently, she is an assistant professor at
Mercy College.
Continuing Education
Chinchilla Quiz
1. The chinchilla diet is best
described as:
a. Herbivore
b. Carnivore
c. Omnivore
d. Insectivore
2. The adult chinchilla should have
what color teeth:
a. White
b. Yellow
c. Gray
d. Brown
3.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Chinchillas are from which order:
Carnivora
Rodentia
Lagomorphia
Perissodactyla
4. The average life span of a
pet chinchilla is:
a. 2 years
b. 6 years
c. 10 years
d. 12 years
5.
a.
b.
c.
d.
7.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Chinchillas are very prone to:
Hypothermia
Heatstroke
Metabolic bone disease
Mites
8. The best place to collect a larger
blood sample from the chinchilla is
a. Cephalic Vein
b. Lateral Saphenous Vein
c. Jugular Vein
d. Ear Vein
9. The prevailing theory on the
cause of fur chewing is:
a. Parasitic
b. Infectious
c. Behavior Disorder
d. Endocrine Disorder
10. The following chinchilla disease
is zoonotic:
a. Fur slip
b. Mites
c. Trichobezoars
d. Dermatophytosis
This article is worth one continuing
education credit and will be accepted
for grading until December 31, 2012.
To receive credit, please complete the
quiz online at www.VetMedTeam.com.
*Due to updates and changes authorized by
NAVTA, the online quiz may not be the same
as the printed exam within the NAVTA Journal.
Read each question thoroughly and answer
it as it appears in the online exam. Please do
not simply copy your answers from the printed
version.
A wild chinchilla is considered:
Monoestrus
Diestrous
Polyestrous
Seasonally Polyestrous
6. A female chinchilla:
a. H
as a larger anogenital distance then
the male
b. Has a gestation of 20-25 days
c. Gives birth to precocious young
d. Gives birth to altricious young
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