Chinchilla Secrets

Chinchilla Secrets

A Comprehensive Pet Owner's Guide By Jessica Harrison (Edited by Prabhu Lazarus)

Copyright 2006 Geostar Publishing All Rights Reserved This eBook shall not to be copied in any form/ emailed/ distributed, in part/ full, without the written permission of the Copyright holders.

First Edition: February 2006.

Copyright 2006 Geostar Publishing All Rights Reserved

DISCLAIMER: This eBook is to be used for education only. Not to be used in lieu of advice from a licensed veterinarian and/or medical professional.

Tone Of The eBook

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hinchillas are cute, loving and occasionally mischievous - an adorable combination. Whoever said that "love is absolutely wonderful" must have been talking about a chinchilla

relationship. Spend a couple of minutes with one and you will agree that few creatures can be as appealing. Truth to tell, raising a chinchilla, is in a way setting the score right for the extent to which these cute little creatures were hunted for their little soft pelts. Thanks to the American, Mathias F. Chapman, the animals were saved from certain extinction. Chins - as chinchillas are affectionately known - are a runaway favorite because it is quite easy to raise them. And they are quite handy, generally well-behaved and don't cost much to maintain. Even if you didn't know anything about raising these cute little creatures, this book tells you all. Right from the different types of chins to selecting a healthy specimen, housing it, feeding it and even taking care of the health issues - this book is a single-source chin reference manual. This is an extensively researched book that has answers to questions you didn't know existed. The approach is structured and simple. It's a must for the rookie and the veteran alike.

Table of contents Introduction...............................................................................9 0 Selection.......................................................................................12 Colors.................................................................................13 Choosing a Chin...............................................................21 Checking out the Chin....................................................22 Cost of Chin.....................................................................24 Where to Buy a Chin......................................................25

Behavior......................................................................................26 Chin's Nature...................................................................26 0 Nocturnal Behavior..........................................................26 Vocalizations.....................................................................27 Basic Cry...........................................................................27 Shrill Squeal......................................................................28 Squawk..............................................................................28 Rasping and Snarling.......................................................28 Loud Cries........................................................................28 Chatter..............................................................................28

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Table of contents Sneezing...........................................................................29 Mating Call ....................................................................29

Chin and Children.................................................................30 How Chins Interact...............................................................31 With Other Pets.............................................................31

Feeding and Nutrition.........................................................33 What They Eat................................................................34 Commercial Pellets.........................................................34 Hay...................................................................................35 Treats...............................................................................37 General Feeding Pointers................................................38 Water...............................................................................38

Handling....................................................................................39 Grooming.................................................................................41 Shedding..........................................................................42 Fungal Growth...............................................................42

Training & Taming................................................................44

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Table of contents Housing.....................................................................................48 Sleeping House...............................................................50 Bedding............................................................................52 One Chin Or Two Chins For You?.............................53 Feeders............................................................................54 Dropping Tray................................................................55 Water Bottle ..................................................................56 Exercise Wheel...............................................................57 Chew Things...................................................................57 Perches and Shelf............................................................58 Cage Maintenance..........................................................58

Health.........................................................................................60 General Chin Health......................................................60 Chin First Aid Kit..........................................................60 Choosing a Veterinarian................................................62 Antibiotics Prescription.................................................63 Diseases and Illness in Chins.........................................64

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Table of contents Exercise for Chinchilla........................................................105 Exercise Wheel...............................................................106 Free Run Time...............................................................106

Traveling With Chins..........................................................110 Breeding...................................................................................112 Mating & Reproduction in Chinchillas.......................112 When Are They Ready To Breed?..............................112 Mating Period ..............................................................113 Litter Size.......................................................................113 Introducing Your Chins...............................................114 How Is This Done?........................................................114 Delivery..........................................................................118 Delivery Complications ...............................................120 After Delivery Care for Mommy Chin......................122 After Delivery Care for the Kits.................................122 What I Do With The Male Chin?................................123 Separating the Mother and Kits..................................125

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Table of contents Neutering.......................................................................125

Appendix:................................................................................127 Where to Buy Chinchillas.....................................127 Where to Buy Cages and Accessories........................133

Great Chinchilla Names.........................................134 Where to Find a Veterinarian......................................137

Meeting Other Chinchilla Owners....................138 Conclusion..............................................................................139

8

Introduction

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ust one touch and that's all it takes to know why this animal was once bred for its "soft, dense" pelt.

What has the body of a rabbit, the large ears of a mouse, and the tail of a squirrel? Chinchillas (chins) ofcourse. When nature was in one of its more generous moods, it made chins. Not only did it give chins the best of three worlds, it also gave them infinite variety. Chins come in all the colors from white to black. And each has its unique personality. There are no two similar chins whichever way you look at it. Origination - The Wild Chin These small furry creatures originated from South America. Their natural habitat includes the cracks and crevices in the Andes Mountain. Discovery and history are always interesting subjects, but not for the chins. These little fur balls were discovered by the Spanish in the 1500's. When they conquered the Chinca Indians, probably

Introduction

their richest booty was the pelts of soft-coated creatures. By 1800s, the chin's fur coat became one of the must-have items in the wardrobe of European royalty. By the end of 19th century, chins were going the dinosaur way - towards extinction. But fortunately, the Chilean government took steps to preserve them by passing laws to prevent their killing. Chins found their way to the US through Mathias F. Chapman, who brought them in 1923. Mathis, a mining engineer took interest in chins, when a native captured one, and took it to him. His interest in the Chins led him to seek permission from the government to capture chins and export them to the US. The story goes that Chapman had hired 23 men to capture chins and had managed to get 11 chins in 11 years. This was a feat considering that the chins were almost extinct. Other explorers who attempted this did not succeed due to the fact that they never allowed the chins to adapt to the newer climatic conditions and they therefore had no success in keeping the chin alive. These rodents made their debut in Los Angeles in February 1923.

Introduction

Initial pairs of chins cost as much as $3200 per pair - a stark difference from today's cost of $100-$150. Chin-breeding became quite successful and by the 1960s, the prices came down to the rates they are today.

Selection

H

ere are some bookish facts about your chin something's you may need to know from a zoological aspect.

Scientific Classification Kingdom:

Animalia

Phylum:

Chordata

Class:

Mammalia

Order:

Rodentia

Suborder:

Hystricognathi

Infraorder:

Caviomorpha

Family:

Abrocomidae

There are two species of chinchillas a) C. lanigera and b) C. brevicaudata. Though it is only the former that are kept as pets, it may be of interest to know the difference between the two. The significant difference between the two is in the tail - the brevicaudata chins are short-tailed while the lanigera are just the opposite. They are long-tailed.

Selection

Colors As the chin trade industry grew, the increase in demand for these small 'n' unique creatures gave rise to a new trend - color mutations. The original chin is standard gray, but the mutations that came about range from beige to black to white. When a standard gray is bred with black, beige or white, half the offspring should be of the same mutant color and the other half of standard color; this is known as dominant mutation. A chin is cute irrespective of its color. But if you are very specific about your pet's color, then this chapter will help you understand the different colored chins. The basic thing you need to understand is that you can identify the mutations based on the coloring of the body parts. These color differences are more prominent on their underbelly, ears, eyes, and paws and tail and are quite distinct from one mutation

Selection

to another. Gray Standard Gray Color/ Tone:

light to dark gray

Underbellies:

white

Eyes:

black

Ears:

gray

Paws:

black

90% of the chins are standard gray. A chin with black underbelly will breed a kit that is ebony. White Color/Tone:

pure white

Underbellies:

white

Eyes:

black

Ears:

gray

Selection

Paws:

white

Also known as the Wilson White, this mutation came from a ranch in North Carolina in 1955 and set a trend in the mutation of chins. There are permutations in mutations as well, like the pink-whites, white-mosaics, white-ebony, and white-violets. Now, these are all basically white with minor difference in shading. And remember do not let the white breed with white-pink, whitemosaic, white and silver-white. Pink-white/ Beige-mosaic Color/ Tone:

white with tan patches

Eyes:

red

Ears:

pink

This color mutation is mostly a result of breeding a Wilson White and beige.

Selection

Silver White Color/ Tone :

white with lots of mixed-gray hair

Underbellies:

gray

Eyes:

black

Ears:

gray

White Violet Color/Tone:

white with violet hue on the shaft

Eyes:

black

Ears:

white and violet mix

Tail :

violet at the base of the tail

White Ebony Color/Tone:

white with black shading or spots

Eyes:

black

Ears:

ebony

Tail:

ebony

Selection

This is a cross between a pure-white and Ebony. Beige Hetero Beige Color/Tone:

light cream beige to dark beige

Underbellies:

white

Eyes:

ruby

Ears:

pink

This mutation came about in 1955 in the Oregon ranch of Ned Jensen. Hetero beiges have one dominant and one recessive gene. Homo Beige Color/Tone:

lighter than hetero beige

Underbellies:

white

Eyes:

light red/pink

Homo beiges have two dominant genes. Consider yourself lucky if you find one of these, as they are not easily available.

Selection

Black Black Velvet Color/Tone:

dark black fading to light black

Underbellies:

white

Eyes:

black

Ears:

gray to black

Paws:

black

The black velvets are also known as Gunning Black because of their origin from the ranch of Bob Gunning in the state of Washington. Never mate two black velvets. This will prove lethal (due to their genetic deficiency) Brown Velvet Color/Tone:

brown fading to tan

Underbellies:

white

Eyes:

light red

Ears:

pink

Selection

This mutation is mostly a result of black velvet and beige pairing. Do not mate two brown velvets, as they cannot produce healthy kits. Homo Ebony Color/Tone:

shiny solid black

Underbelly:

black

Eyes:

black

Ears:

black

Ebonies are recessive mutations. So, if you want an ebony chin, you better carry a lot of money in your wallet, as they are rare and therefore a lot more expensive. Standard gray, white, or beige chins that have a black underbelly will mostly have an ebony offspring. Charcoal They are similar to ebony, with the only difference being in the coat shine. The charcoal chin will have a dull black coat compared to the ebony's shiny black coat.

Selection

Tan Color/Tone:

shiny solid brown

Underbelly:

brown

Eyes:

red

Ears:

pink

Paws:

pink

They are similar to ebony chins as they are from recessive mutations and are rare to find. Tans are a result of breeding beige to ebony. Violet Color/Tone:

steel blue color

Underbellies:

white

Violets are once again a recessive mutation from a ranch in Rhodesia, Africa. The violets are also known as Sullivan Violet. This name is because they are also bred at the Loyd Sullivan ranch in California.

Selection

Sapphire Color/Tone:

dark blue gray

Eyes:

black

Ears:

gray

No matter what color chins come in, they are charming and that's for sure! Choosing a Chin You can choose a chin based on its health and temperament. Animals are always scared of humans at first. So, please be careful and cautious with your actions and tone. If you are loud or move fast, they are bound to retreat and you may go back home without any chin. Do give the chin time to warm up to you. You could try scratching behind its ears. Chins love this show of affection. You would know that a chin has taken to you if it nibbles your

Selection

finger or sniffs you - because it is its way of showing affection. If you want to pick it up, you can place one hand under its body and pick it up by the tail or cup your hands to and pick it up. However, the former is advised as this ensures that the chin does not jump off from a height. If the chin does not squirm and squiggle in your palm, then it indicates a relative level of comfort. NEVER GRAB A CHIN BY ITS FUR. This is because chins have a release mechanism whereby they can shed their fur to free themselves. Because of this, the chin you pick up could fall from a height and this could prove fatal. Checking out the Chin You need to check for the following while picking your chin. (These subjects are discussed in detail in the health section). =

Absence of heart murmur

=

Check their stools under microscope for parasites

=

Clean and clear eyes

Selection =

Aligned teeth

=

Healthy fur coat

=

Dry, clean nose

=

Clean ears

=

Oval-shaped, solid droppings

=

Clean anus

These are just a few indications of a healthy chin. But, there are chances that your chin might fall ill later on. However, with proper care, many "chin related aliments" can be avoided. Common chin aliments are discussed in detail in the later chapter.

Selection

Cost of chin A factor you may want to consider is the cost of the chin. Different colored chins come at different prices.

Color

US Price (In US $) UK Price (In US $)

Beige

112

68

Black Ebony

156

166

Black Velvet

135

90

Brown Velvet

135

112

Charcoal

142

120

Gray

79

68

Pink white

107

160

Sapphire

107

120

Violet

173

120

White

165

73

White Mosaic

117

96

Note: The above prices may not be accurate figures, but are certainly indicative. Besides, there may be price differences between male and female chins.

Selection

Where to Buy a Chin Always buy your chin from a breeder. This is because a breeder would know the background of the chin and would have abundant chin knowledge. Pet stores stock many other animals and birds as well, therefore they may not be chin experts. A good breeder not only specializes in chin information, but also will also provide you with chin equipment and feed as well. Look for a pedigree certificate. Most pedigree chin generations range from generation 1 to generation 5. This certificate will also contain other details such as the color, date of birth, name of the chin and the breeder's code. (See the Appendix)

Behavior

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hin’s Nature Chins are extremely nervous. Strangers, noises or sudden

light agitates them. It is always best to keep them in a

secluded spot; you can see more of this information in the housing chapter. Look out and save your head from a bump because chins are excellent jumpers. They can jump up to 5 feet high. Chins are animals of routine and find it stressful even if there is a minute change in what they do every day. So, do not make too many changes in their routine: food-wise or habit-wise. Nocturnal Behavior Like owls, chins are nocturnal creatures and this means two things: You must be ready for some late night racket if you want to own a chin for a pet. You must be an evening person, i.e., active in the evenings so that you and your chin can play and bond well with each other

Behavior

Their nocturnal nature extends to their mating habits as well. This is why many chin owners are surprised to know that their chin is pregnant. Vocalizations Stand by their cage and hear the sounds they make and observe the actions that follow. Definitely, you cannot understand all the sounds at one go, but over a period of time and with a little experience you can interpret the sounds your chin makes. Here are the range of sounds your pet makes and its meanings. Basic Cry The basic cry in a chin sounds like a ‘click’; it does not literally mean crying. Chins use this among themselves to tell each other to stop doing certain actions or simply go away. E.g., a mother chin could tell her kit to stop biting her nipple with this sound.

Behavior Shrill Squeal Shrill squeal indicates pain or fear. The volume of this shrill varies with situations, i.e., it will diminish as the fear or the pain goes away. Squawk The kits squawk when they want to be fed or when they are feeling insecure. Mothers respond to this call by nibbling and nudging. Rasping and Snarling Chins do this when they are angry - mostly over food bowl or mother teats. Loud Cries Chins make cries, which are high pitched, repeatedly when they are agitated or excited. They could do this a minimum of 15-20 times. It's an “alert call” that they make when they notice something suspicious or when they are separated from their companions. Chatter This sound is emitted mostly after chins eat or when they grind

Behavior their teeth. If the chin makes this chattering noise without eating, it is to let other chins know that it's in a bad mood. Sneezing Chins sneeze if there is fine dust in their bath. Mating Call There are very minimal chances that you can hear the chin’s mating call. But if you must know, it sounds like hiccups and it lasts a few minutes.

Chin and Children

W

hen it comes to kids, it is better you do not let them handle the pet. Chins are too fast for kids, plus they are too fragile

to be handled by kids. Always be around to supervise their interactions. A chin is bound to get scared if a child makes jerky movements or handles the rodent roughly.

How Chins Interact We know that man is a social animal. Now, the question is, are chins social rodents? In this chapter, we will learn how chins interact and how they behave within their territories. In order to build a special bond with your chin, you need to figure out how chins mix and communicate. That is exactly what this chapter will deal with. You will understand two aspects of chin-interaction by the end of the chapter: $ With other pets $ With you With Other Pets Usually we face the dilemma of dog vs. cat, and with a chin in your house it's chins vs. any other animal. Chins do not get along with other pets such as cats and dogs. So, do not try to get them acquainted. It would be a bad idea to opt for a cat or dog as a pet if you have chin and the vice-versa.

How Chins Interact

Caution is always advised when you opt to have a chin along with other pets. Here you need to understand the interaction of two different pets and their compatibility. Cats may mistake your chin for a furry rat and make a meal out of it !!! Even if you think that your pets are getting along fine, do not leave them unattended. Always let them mingle under your supervision and this is especially true in case of their exercise time. The best way to ensure that your pets do not cause harm to one another is, by acquainting them with each other from a young age; this way they lose their fear and differences and will get along just fine with each other.

Feeding and Nutrition

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hins eat to live, i.e., their lifespan depends on what they eat. In their native habitats, Andes, chins are used to eating plants, grasses and seeds.

Given below is a general guide to foods for your pet. As the chapter progresses you will get more specific ideas as to what to feed your chin, but besides this, you can always apply the principle of this guide to feed your chin. Pick food that provides all nutrients. This is inclusive of water, energy, protein, (amino acids and nitrogen), essential fatty acids, minerals and vitamins. Food that is labeled “Association of American Feeding Control Officials” and “Animal Feeding Trials” are considered safe. Buy branded or recommended products as they are considered safe. Select food that has proper proportions of various essential nutrients. Choose food that is easily digestible by your pet. Check with your vet for feeding your pet besides the feeding

Feeding and Nutrition instruction provided on labels. What They Eat? Chins do not have many options when it comes to food, as their digestive system is extremely delicate. The lifespan of chins depends on their dietary intake. A good chinchilla diet consists of four parts: Pellets Hay Treats Water Commercial Pellets The commercial pellets or chin chow have very specific dietary requirements and this should be given in limited quantity (35 grams per day, which is roughly 2 tablespoons). The basic ingredients of these pellets are wheat germ, soybean oil meal, alfalfa meal, oats, molasses, corn and added vitamins and minerals. Do not try to reuse the pellets, as they may be contaminated, causing trouble in the

Feeding and Nutrition

delicate digestive system of the chins. If chin food is not available near your home, rabbit pellets that do not contain hormones can serve as a good substitute. However, do not feed cabbage, corn or lettuce (as you would feed a rabbit). These vegetables cause gas, which is fatal for the chin’s gastrointestinal tract. Hay Alfalfa and timothy are popular choice of hay for chins. They are available in loose or cubed form and can be given in large quantity, as it is and are very good for their digestive system. Hay provides the necessary fiber in your chin’s diet. However, they should be free of chemical sprays and mold. Give your chin fresh hay, which has been dried and cured thoroughly. To prevent mold formation, store in dry place. An adult chinchilla can eat a handful of loose hay or one pressed cube of hay each day. You can also feed the chin, untreated Bermuda grass, which helps to clear up any digestive problems.

Feeding and Nutrition Other Food Alfalfa meal Alfalfa meal is composed of chopped or cut fodder, which is either sun-cured or hot-air-dried. Hot-air-dried alfalfa is better as it is cut and then transported for processing unlike sun-cured alfalfa, which loses lot of nutrients because it is completely dried out in the sun and then sent for processing. Processing of alfalfa The alfalfa is loaded into a rotating, heated drum dryer. It takes 3-5 minutes to evaporate the moisture. Following this, a pneumatic air system evacuates the concentrated dry alfalfa into a hammer mill and the alfalfa is then ground to a uniform particle size, which is compressed into a pellet. The pellet needs to be lubricated to pass through a die. It is teamed for this purpose. Storing is done in tanks enclosed with nitrogen, which preserves the vitamins K and E, carotene and xanthophylls from oxidation. The

Feeding and Nutrition pellets need to be cooled before storage. Anti-nutritional factors in alfalfa: Saponins, tannins and coumestral are natural toxins present in alfalfa. Saponins have a bitter taste and might irritate the lining of the mouth and intestine. Coumestral is an estrogenic substance; this has certain effects in reproduction. Tannins inhibit protein digestion. Treats Apart from these two staple foods, chins love treats. The treat could range from an apple, carrot, orange, grape, raisins, nuts or celery. Do not try to pamper your chin and feed them more, even when they make doe eyes at you. Everyone knows that such cute chins are simply irresistible. But if you do so, it could be dangerous for your chin. chins are known to die from over-eating so restrain yourself and never ever over-feed your pet. Never make the treat the main source of nutrition.

Feeding and Nutrition General Feeding Pointers They cannot adapt to change and hence you should becareful with their eating schedule When you plan to change their diet, do so by mixing the old and new food at a half to half ratio. If you do not mix their food, they stop eating altogether Keep many chewy toys in the cage so that they can file their teeth, if their teeth grows long they will stop eating Check to see that the food is clean, chins may poop or pee in the food, eating this can prove fatal to their gastro-intestinal tract. Water Provide ample fresh water to the chins as, it is a very essential part of their digestion. Water left in the water bottle forlong periods can harbor bacteria, so change it everyday. You must also make proper provision for feeding your chin. There is more about feeders and water bottles in the 'Housing your Chin chapter.

Handling

A

s you know, chins are very anxious animals and get scared or become nervous easily. So, always handle them cautiously.

If you get rough or careless while handling your chin, it could stay away from you and severe all the relationship you had painstakingly built. And it does not end with that. It may take your chin a very long time to trust you again. So be very careful. You can tell the anxiety of your chin by observing its heavy breathing and squirming in your hand. The defense mechanism of chins is called fur slip where, it sheds fur in order to release itself and escape. This is not a good thing as fur slip damages the coat of the chin and may even prove fatal if the chin falls from a height. Chins are rarely known to bite in defense. In an agitated condition, your chin could bark or even urinate on you. The best way to handle a chin is to keep it close to your body - to support it - and then enclose it with your forearm. You can also keep your chin in your “cupped hands” and bring your hands close

Handling

to your body. Do not squeeze or stroke too hard, chins like to be stroked lightly behind their ears. The temperament of a chin is inherent. So, when you opt to buy a chin or breed chins, ensure that the parent chins have a good temperament because even with training and taming, an illtempered chin can never be brought under control. Keep raisins in hand while handling your chin. It is bound to get closer and calmer if it knows that there is a treat waiting for it if it behaves well. Learn to be slow and cautious with your chin irrespective of the number of times you have handled it.

Grooming

H

ow do you groom your chin?

Grooming a chin is easy because they do not have lice and other external parasites. To start with, chinchillas should never be bathed! And their fur should never get wet. So, how do you clean a chinchilla without water? Well, to clean your chinchilla you ought to give it a dust bath. It may seem odd giving a chin a dust bath to clean it. But this dust is alright. It's not the regular dust. It is “chinchilla dust” like “blue cloud” and can be got from any chin pet store. To bathe your chin, place a layer of dust in a dust bowl and keep it in the chin's cage for 5 minutes. Make sure that the dust bowl is big enough for your chin to roll in. The dust helps to remove oil and dirt from it healthy. You can dust bathe your chin twice a week. Never leave the dust bowl in the cage for long. Remove it after 5 minutes, or else your chin is bound to

Grooming make its fur dry by bathing often. They could also tend to poop and pee in the bowl and this is not hygienic for them or good for their fur. Dust can be re-used for 2-3 weeks, but do throw it away when the dust gets clumpy. Summer months are very hot and dry, and makes your chin's coat dirty very soon. So, chinchillas bathe more often in this season. Shedding Do not get worried if you notice fluff balls in the cage or uneven fur growth. This denotes shedding. Chins shed their fur every 3 months. Their fur grows again, beginning from the neck. Do not forget to comb your chin to remove dead fur. By doing this new fur will grow evenly. Fungal Growth Even though grooming the chin is a relatively easy task, one problem remains when it comes to fur care and that is tackling the fungus. Fungus is air borne and can quickly

Grooming spread through breeding, sharing dust baths or trays. This is especially true in the case of a humid climate. Ensure that there is proper circulation and good lighting to prevent fungal growth. You can find out if your chin has fungus if you see patchy hair revealing the skin as opposed to uneven hair. You can also look for scabs on skin (due to scratching from skin irritation). What you can do then is, add a little quantity of any anti-fungal powder in the dust to prevent fungal growth. It will help to do away with any remaining fungal germs and prevent the chins from getting infected again.

Training and Taming

N

ever push your chin into a relationship; this will only have the opposite effect on your pet.

The only way to ensure a friendly relationship with your chin is to condition it from a young age. However, it is very normal that your chin is not friendly initially. Do not be disappointed, it is probably just scared or anxious. Training and taming chins is a part of building that special bond. If you want the best of their attention, talk to them in the evenings; they are more active and fun to be around then. You can also win over your chin with treats like raisins (but never over-feed them with treats). Your chin might get scared if you pick it up or take it out of the cage initially. Be cautious and avoid this. Just remember that it will start the relationship on a wrong note. To begin with, simply sit next to the cage and offer treats. Do not

Training and Taming overdo the treats. If your chin moves closer to you, try to place your hand inside the cage; this will encourage your chin to explore. You can draw your pet to you with a raisin in your palm. After 2 or 3 days, your chin will be comfortable with your hand, so allow it to climb all the way to your shoulder. Avoid quick movements, as your chin could fall down. Finally, make sure your chin is kept as comfortable as possible and reward it suitably. Once you have established a relationship with your pet, then there is no looking back. Your chin needs at least one hour of your devotion, even though it is excessively enthusiastic to sit on your lap and play with you all the time. Chins give you their attention by climbing on you or running around you while you sit on the floor. Do not let your chin climb on you while you are standing. Sit down so that your pet can bond with you. This will also reduce any chances of your chin falling from a height (which is fatal for a small rodent like the chin). Chins also show their affection by nibbling, nuzzling, cuddling and

Training and Taming

more. And soon enough you can go to the supermarket with your chin in your pocket. Chins are intelligent; they respond to names and can be taught basic tricks like 'come here' and 'sit up'. The power to do this lies in your hand, actually the raisin in your hand! They are however rodents of routine; their interaction depends a lot on how you take care of them. If you upset the feeding and bathing routine, they may not respond well to your calls. Whatever you do, just make sure not to let a chin out in the open if your pet is not used either to you or the surrounding. Fun and Antics You really can't cuddle your chin or keep it on your lap or play fetch with it, but this certainly does not mean chins are not fun. There can be many instances when you and your chin can have a great time Like: Bath time Your chin is a “circus act” to look at during bath

Training and Taming

times. Watch your pet flip, roll and frolic in a dust bath. Toys Chins need as many toys as you can provide them to keep them from getting bored. Give them small objects that are easy to push around. Make sure that these objects cannot cause your chin any injury. Watch your chin redecorate the cage over and over again by moving its toys. The toys that you give it should only be a small wooden block or cardboard piece. In fact, this could also be used as a chew toy by your chin. Exercise Watch your chin go at the wheel. It might be exercise for it, but it is certainly fun to watch its quirky movements on the wheel. Free run time When you let your chin out in the open in an enclosed room, the scampering and scurrying can tickle you. You will be amused by the way it explores the room and goes around in circles discovering stuff.

Housing

H

ousing your Chinchillas The chin is a small rodent, but its living space is stateof-the art. The needs of a chin could blow your mind!!!

So, let us begin with cage location. Then we'll go what needs to be put inside a chin's cage. Cage Location Chins thrive in temperatures of 77 ºF. But temperatures above that may pose a risk and spells D A N G E R!!! If the temperature rises above 85 ºF, chins might suffer heat stroke. Therefore, ensure that you do not place cage by a heater, radiator or any machine that emits heat. Also, ensure that a chin's cage is well ventilated. A sure sign that your chin is uncomfortable is when its ears turn pink. If the temperature begins to rise, move the cage to a cooler location. And if that does not help, then turn on the air conditioner to cool your chin. Do not try to replace an air conditioner with a fan. As chins do not perspire, a fan gives no relief. There's no need to panic if you don’t have air conditioner. Place a

Housing

big pan of ice inside the cage and watch your chin snuggle and snooze off to beat the heat. If you have tried everything to bring the temperature down but did not succeed, then you are left with only one option and that is to let your chin sleep through the heat. It is only if it is awake and active that it is bound to risk a heat stroke. Chins don't adapt very well to change. So, make sure you do not change their location/environment often. Cage It is very important that the cage is 'chin-proof'. Wondering what chin-proof is. Well, chins have this amazing ability to squeeze through the tiniest of openings in the cage mesh. Therefore, the mesh-opening gap should be no more than 1 x 2 inches. When you have kits, reduce this by half i.e., 1/2 x 1 inch. This is necessary because kits are better climbers than adults. And they are inherently naughty. And they will do

Housing

everything possible to squeeze their way out of the cage. Another aspect of "chin-proof" is that the mesh should be made of wire, as a chin can chew its way out of plastic mesh. If the flooring is made of wire, ensure the flooring is made from pine boards. As for the size of the cage, 24 x 24 x 18 inches is considered good. A chin can move about comfortably in a cage of this size. Anything smaller than this will cramp your chin. However, you could always decide on a bigger cage. The size will of course depend on your budget and the space you can spare for the cage. An average cage should cost about $50 or more. Inside the Cage A chin's cage is normally equipped with the following:

Sleeping House Chins rest well in dark places. The sleeping house protects the chin from sunlight and draft. Plus, it provides privacy and makes a good chew toy. If you have kits, they will be well-sheltered inside the

Housing

sleeping house. You can make a sleeping house out of wood and keep it inside the cage. The wood should be organic and untreated - regard this as a rule of thumb while making the sleeping house. There are certain recommended woods like apple, pear, hazelnut manzanita, pine (phenol free) and willow, which are considered safe for this purpose. And some wood are considered the absolute no. They are orange, grapefruit, lemon, wild cherry, plum, walnut and cedar. These are unsuitable because of their aromatic or poisonous property. Regardless of whichever wood you choose, build the house with lots of love and care. Because it is here that your chin is going to snuggle and rest comfortably. Also be careful if you are using nails in the construction of the sleeping house. Nails that stick out of the wood can hurt your chin. You could even use a fish bowl for a sleeping house. In fact. this also adds to the decor of the cage. However if money is a

Housing constraint, there is always cardboard. Bedding Your energetic chin needs to rest after all that darting and dashing around. So, a nice cozy bed is an absolute necessity. A chin’s bed is made of wood shavings. The wood that you should avoid for making the sleeping house, must also be avoided while making a chin's bed. These woods are considered dangerous because they contain a natural aromatic chemical called phenol. Phenols are commonly used as disinfectants. Phenols are poisonous, acidic compounds. When inhaled they have a direct side effect - the liver and respiratory systems are damaged making them susceptible to infection by microorganism. Other side effects range from chronic respiratory disease to asthma. Human beings are also prone to these side effects. Woods like cherry, apricot, and peach contain cyanogenic glycosides. In simple words, they release cyanides during digestion. Wood shavings of any of the other recommended wood will do well.

Housing

Pine is an easily available wood. You can use it if it is untreated and kiln-dried. One Chin Or Two Chins For You? It is not a hard and fast rule that a chin must have a companion, though it is only common to see owners keep chins as a pair. The way chins interact with one another depends on how they are caged and more specifically cage conditions. If you opt for a single cage for two chins, they better be females, as they are accommodating. Introduce the two female chins when they are young, as older female chins might not get along well with each other. (This also depends on the individual personality of each chin.) Caging two male chins will be a problem, if the cage is not big enough for both; male chins could fight over territories and turn aggressive. However, two male chins will get along with each other if they are from the same litter.

Housing Chins of the opposite sex when caged, get along well with each other. And if they hit it off, kits (baby chins) are guaranteed. However, if you keep more than two males chins with a single female, it is certain that they will fight with each other for the female. Whether you are trying to breed two chins or simply house two or three chins in the same cage, you need to introduce them as explained earlier. Introducing refers to giving time so that the two Chins are acquainted with each other. If you want to bypass the introduction procedure, opt for chins from the same litter. This will save the worry about them getting along. Feeders If you had all the time in the world, you would hand feed your chin every time and every day. But we all know that, this is quite unlikely. Therefore, a feeder is a better option. There are plenty of feeders available in the market, but the hopper

Housing style feeder is best suited for rodents. Hopper feeders are those that are attached to the outside of the cage. The chin will stand on its hind legs and take out as many food pellets as it wants to eat. This will ensure that the chin does not waste food or urinate in its food. If you choose to keep a bowl instead, make sure that the bowl is heavy enough so that your chin does not topple it over. Otherwise, not only will the food be spilled, but your chin may contaminate the food and consume it as well. And this, as you can guess is not in the chin's best interests. Dropping Tray Make sure the chin's cage is equipped with a tray for its droppings. You can choose between cages that have a drop-in style tray or a pull-out style tray. Pull-out trays are known for their safety - they cause fewer accidents and as the cage does not have to be opened – as in the case of the drop-in trays - there is less chance of drafts. Pull-out trays are therefore a better option.

Housing A chin’s cage needs to be clean and hygienic to prevent sickness. Newspaper has good absorbing properties. As such, it makes cage cleaning easy. You can simply throw out soiled newspaper and replace it with fresh paper. To neutralize bad odor, sprinkling of baking soda in the “pee corner” will do the job. Pine shavings are great substitute, if you do not have a wire bottom cage. Disinfecting the cage every 2 months is recommended. This is especially true in the case of a sick chin. An unhygienic cage would complicate its recovery. Water Bottle Chinchillas should have been named chewchillas. They chew through almost everything. You must take great care with each and everything you place inside the cage. And remember they must be chew-proof to the extent possible. The water bottle is no exception to this rule. Do not keep a plastic water bottle inside the cage. If you do, it is guaranteed that your chin will chew through it and there will be no water left in the bottle.

Housing

However, if you do not get anything else other then a plastic bottle, ensure you protect the bottle in a metal casing or buy a good quality plastic bottle that cannot be gnawed at. The bottle can also be fastened to the cage like the feeder. If you hunt in more shops, you may get a glass bottle which works great, as it is completely chew proof. Wash these bottles with soap water and rinse every time you refill. Exercise Wheel Wheels inside the cage serve two purposes: entertainment and exercise. Chins need a minimum of 20 minutes of exercise everyday. There is more information in chapter 8 about chin exercise and wheels. The cost of an exercise wheel is about another $25. Chew Things Chins have 20 teeth - 4 incisors and 16 molars. They constantly need to gnaw to file their growing teeth. Besides their sleeping house, chins need chew toys to grind their teeth. Wooden blocks, tree bark and tree

Housing branches are easily available and can be used for this purpose. Apply the same precaution in the choice of wood as in the case of the sleeping house and bedding material. Want to provide your chin with more options? Then you can place empty toilet paper rolls, Popsicle sticks, pumice stone or cardboard inside the cage. But whatever you place, make sure it is not too small to be ingested by the chin. Perches and Shelf Invest in a shelf or perch inside the cage and watch your chin jump and jig. As mentioned before chins are very good jumpers, so your chin will enjoy ledges and perches, plus your chin gets to rest its feet from wired floors. This is another outlet for your chin to release its abundant energy. Remember, the perch is not spared from the chin’s tooth and they like to gnaw on this as well. Cage Maintenance It does not take much to maintain the chin or its cage.

Housing Following some general rulers and pointers of cage maintenance ensures that you provide a healthy surrounding for your chin to live in and help it stay healthy and fit. The primary aspect of maintenance to be borne in mind is to keep the cage warm and damp-free. If your chin has peed on the cage floor and the cage smells of ammonia, it is an indication that the cage needs to be cleaned. Other pointers to keep in mind are: Change water in the bottle everyday Dispose uneaten food General cleaning of cage to remove dust and dirt Disinfecting cage once a week with soap and water Washing the toys and wheels

Health

G

eneral Chin Health

What follows would give you a very “general idea” of your pet’s health. As you read on, you will know more

specifically about what can affect your chin and how it ought to be treated. Now, this is just a very general guideline. Always take your chin to the vet once you provide the initial treatment that gives your chin the much wanted immediate relief. This chapter will give you a good idea of how to identify and handle a health complication immediately. If the condition is complicated in nature, do not attempt to medicate or treat the chin without any prior knowledge of the procedure. Refer the animal to a good vet who specializes in treatment for rodents. Chin First Aid Kit Organize the following items in a box; this makes emergency treatment easy and fast. Ensure that you understand the use of every item and treat your chin appropriately. You can judge the use of these items by studying the treatment for various diseases/illness. Vet wrap

Health Kaopectate Critical Care Benebac Eyedroppers or infant nasal syringe Cornstarch Tinactin Foot Powder Nutrical Blue Kote Petromalt Gauze Heat pad Infant formula Sterile gloves Clean towel Sterile scissors

Health WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR CHIN Life Expectancy

10 - 15 years

Average Weight (grams*) Temperature (ºF)

Female 550 - 800 Male 450 - 600 50 - 75

Heart Rate (Beats per minute)

100 - 150

Respiratory Rate (Breaths per minute)

40 - 80

PREGNANCY IN FEMALE CHINS Length of Pregnancy (days)

105 - 118, average 111

Litter Size

can start from 1 and go up 6. Average is 2 - 3

Weaning Age

6 - 8 weeks

Choosing a Veterinarian The first requirement that has to be met while choosing a vet is the experience in treating rodents. Vets who have good knowledge about guinea pigs and rabbits are the best choice Your vet should also be accommodating and make house calls if necessary and should be gentle while handling your chin.

Health There may be little or no success if you choose a vet who has no specialization in rodent care. Besides this, you will also need to check the facilities available at a vet's clinic. You could also go by the recommendation of other chin owners. It is a safe bet and you could benefit from their experience. Overall, here are some basic questions to which you should seek answers before selecting an appropriate vet for your chin: Has the vet treated rodents before? What’s the kind of experience the vet has? Has the vet done surgery? What’s the success rate of the surgery? What anesthesia does the vet use? Does the facility have equipments for X-ray and other lab needs? How effective is the emergency care? How do others recommend the vet? Antibiotics Prescription Vets know what antibiotics to prescribe for what ailment. But for

Health your information we give below a list of antibiotics that are considered unsafe for chins: Penicillin Cephalosporins Clindamycin Lincomycin Erythromycins As chins have a complex digestive tract, these antibiotics can throw the pH off balance, leading to bacterial over-growth. Gram-negative bacteria and clostridia over-growths can lead to diarrhea, enterotoxaemia, and death. DISEASES AND ILLNESS IN CHINS Anorexia/Malocclusion/Slobbers As emphasized earlier, chin’s teeth needs constant attention. You must provide chew toys to ensure that they are regularly filed, else your pets will suffer from dental problems. Malocclusion is a condition where the tooth over-grows. An oral

Health examination can diagnose this problem and this includes skull radiographs to examine the crown surfaces and roots. (Chins may have to be sedated at times depending on the extent of damage and pain caused due to this problem.) Symptoms Drooling on fur Slobbering Inappetance Loss of fur Watery eyes Sores in mouth or abscesses Food falling out from the mouth as they are unable to chew Causes Genetic defect Excessive growth of molars Sharp objects trapped in the tooth

Health Mineral imbalance, especially calcium Poor dental alignment Treatment Clipping affected teeth Including essential minerals in the diet Antibiotics for the abscesses The tooth may have to be extracted if the pain and infection is just too much. This can be done under sedation. During treatment, syringe feed your chin as mastication becomes very painful then. Euthanasia is sometimes recommended for chins under chronic pain. Prevention Provide sufficient chew toys like wood or mineral block for the chinny to constantly file its teeth and ensure that there is ample roughage in the diet of your chinny. And do not breed chinny’s with this genetic defect. Abscesses Abscesses are infections caused by cuts or other injuries. If they are

Health not attended to immediately, they may get contaminated. Causes Baby chin biting mommy chin while nursing Sharp projections Chins fighting with one another Treatment Antibiotic therapy for 3 - 5 days Disinfect the cage thoroughly Prevention Remove any sharp projections in the cage that might cause injury and separate chins that fight with one another. Bacterial Enteritis (Intestinal Infection) Chins are know to have a weak stomach and are highly prone to intestinal problems. Enteritis is the infection of the digestive tract, where non-digestible fiber is not fermented.

Health Examination of the faces by fecal flotation, direct smear and culture reveals the causal agent. Causes Depression Diarrhea Loss of appetite Partial paralysis Painful abdomen Tooth grinding Possibly bloated abdomen Crying or moaning Lethargy Treatment Antibiotic therapy Supportive care Bacterial supplements like milk-free acidophilus

Health Anti-diarrhea medicines like Kaopectate or blackberry leaves Chins with severe infections can be put on IV fluids. Bloat This can be easily confused with constipation, as the symptoms are similar. Symptoms Chin is listless and tired Feels uncomfortable Has a bloated belly Loss of appetite Weight loss Dropping has brownish mucus covering Causes Feeding of excessive greens Feeding un-matured hay Treatment

Health Regular exercise 1 ml of milpar liquid. Give this thrice every day until you’re chinny’s health improves. Prevention Regular exercise Feed only the well-matured hay Broken or Frozen Tails Symptoms Tail looks jagged Tail is cut half way Causes Rough handling Door closed on the tail Tail breaks if the chin tries to escape through cage wires Cold weather Treatment

Health Separate this chin from the other chins Apply antibiotic to prevent infection Broken Teeth Causes Jumping or falling hard on a surface Chins sometimes break their teeth while trying to free themselves from wire mesh Treatment File the broken tooth to remove jagged edges Give a liquid or “soft diet” till the chin can chew normally Prevention Do not keep the chin at heights from where they can fall and hurt themselves. Bumble Foot This is a condition where the foot of the chin becomes red and swollen. It is the “keratinized tissue” that makes walking painful for your chin. Remember that you need to get this condition treated as

Health soon as possible, else the infection will spread to the bones and the blood stream. Symptoms Sore cracked feet Bleeding Foot is red and swollen Causes The causal agent, Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that enters the foot that has cuts or abrasions caused due to the wire flooring in the cage. Treatment Antibiotics must be given Antiseptic/disinfectant like Nolvasan solution can be used to clean bumbles. Blue Kote or purple spray for skin infections can be used once a day. Bedding in the cage should be changed. Treatment will yield results only in 2 months, though the signs of healing will show up in 2 weeks.

Health Prevention Ensure there are perches for your chin to rest on when it is tired from scampering. Insert a wooden board for flooring Clean the cage and bedding to prevent harboring of bacteria. Coccidiosis This is also a protozoan like Giardia that affects the intestine of the chin, more specifically the lymph system. Causes Transmitted through fecal-oral route Water Poor immune system Poor cage sanitation Host insects that get the infection and pass it on to the chin Symptoms Weight loss

Health Increased or decreased appetite Severe diarrhea Dehydration Occasionally there is hidden bleeding Treatment Oral medications such as Sulfonamides Foods with high nutritional value Plenty of fluids Cage to be sterilized Boil food containers and water bottles every day Prevention Disinfecting the cage and accessories is important Ensure you keep control of insects inside and near the cage Constipation Constipation can just happen and in most cases it is more uncomfortable for the chin rather than life threatening.

Health Symptoms Chin may be uncomfortable Stretch up on hind legs Shows lack of appetite Small and thin dropping seen Causes Excess treats Pregnancy Lack of exercise Treatment In some not so serious conditions, it can be treated with raisins and prunes Syrup of figs - one teaspoon 1 ml of liquid paraffin per day Prevention Regular exercise

Health 1 - 2 tablespoons of fresh pellets per day Convulsions/Seizures Chins are known to have seizures, fits or convulsions, and this happens without any specific symptoms at times. Symptoms Chin appears lifeless Limp or temporary inability to move Muscle spasms/tremors Contortions Causes Constipation Female chin getting pregnant at old age Heat exhaustion Starvation Lack of minerals (calcium or vitamins) Excess salt

Health Too much of exercise Toxin infection Treatment In case of deficiency, add vitamin and mineral drops to water. Reduce intake of salt Feed the chin with cuttlefish to increase calcium content To balance out salt content, give a mix of 70% cranberry juice and 30% water for 3 days. Prevention Never exercise your chin for more than 20 minutes Give fresh food Don’t treat it too often Cryptosporidia Causes A protozoan from the Coccidia group, which inhabits the epithelium of the digestive system causing lesions and cuts in the

Health lining. This is a very infectious protozoan; the vet who is examining the fecal sample must destroy the cyst in formalin before checking under the microscope as infection can pass to humans very easily. Symptoms Lack of absorption Diarrhea Weight loss Dehydration Blood in stools Treatment This is effective only to prevent secondary infections. Fluids need to be administered, as there will be a case of dehydration. Supportive care should be given. Prevention Sterilize cages and utensils/food dishes thoroughly Boil water for 20 minutes to kill germs

Health Cuts/Abrasions Chins tend to fight and give a scar or two to one another. Usually, these scars are nothing much to worry about. They are fatal only if the bite or the cut is caused by some other animal. Treatment Bath in saline solution Avoid dust baths till the wound has healed and dried out. Sterzac powder will help prevent any infection while it heals. Prevention Separate chins that don’t get along with each other. Dermatophytosis/Ringworm If you breed a chin for pelt, then this is a very serious issue as the pelts you get will be damaged. Symptoms Hair loss Scabby red lesions on the nose, feet, and around the eyes

Health Crust flaky skin around eyes and ears Chins keep scratching a lot Causes Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis are the typical agents of ringworm. Infection from other pets Treatment Administer Grisofulvin as prescribed by your chin’s vet Dust bath with 1 tablespoon of Captan added Oral treatment of Itraconazole (5mg/kg), dosage: one per day Anti-fungal powder Diarrhea Chins are prone to have diarrhea, and this again is due to their sensitive intestinal tract. In severe cases, starve the chin for 12 hours and give it only water. You need to keep track of how often your chinny has this problem, because a regular condition of diarrhea reflects parasite attacks like

Health Giardia or Coccidia If your animal has Giardia, then ask for Albendozol, which kills the parasite in 3 days of the treatment. Your chin may suffer loss of appetite, but this will fix itself and there is nothing much to worry about. You have to take diarrhea seriously as persistent diarrhea can lead to prolapsed rectum. Symptoms Chin is weak Loose droppings Weight loss Dehydration In severe cases, droppings will be covered in mucus or blood Causes Excessive treats like raisins or prunes Infections like bacterial, protozoan or parasitic Change in diet (excessive green, low fiber content)

Health Old hay or water Weaning of food not done properly Diarrhea may be bacterial, or dietary in origin Stress (new home or environment or being pregnant/lactating) Giardia, Coccidia or other parasitic infestations Algae in drinking water Treatment Well-done or even burnt toast or shredded wheat cereal Fresh pellets and water for 24 hrs No hay or treats Kaolin liquid (1 - 3 ml) can be given for 2 days Children’s Cherry Kaoepectate (kaopectate elsewhere in the article check ) 1 ml/cc for 1 - 2 days A 50/50 mix of unsweetened cranberry or apple juice with water will help to prevent dehydration. Prevention

Health Fresh balanced diet (vitamin and mineral blocks as supplements) Moderate treats Eye Injuries and infection Causes Fight between chins and scratching Splinter or some foreign body in the eye A symptom of another ailment Symptoms One or both eyes are sticky Swollen Milky discharge Matted fur around the eyes Eyes are shut Treatment Apply antibiotic ointment in the eye twice a day. Remove the dust bath for a week.

Health Prevention Ensure that there are no foreign objects in the cage. If chins are known to fight, train them to get under control or isolate them. Fractures/broken Bones It is common among chins to fracture their tibia - a long straight bone in the leg with soft tissue covering. The fracture may be short spiral or transverse. Causes Fall on a hard surface Struck by a falling object Leg caught and twisted between cage Rough handling Treatment Essentially, the only treatment possible is strict cage rest. You have to isolate the chin.

Health Apply a collar to prevent chewing on the broken area. Make sure you don’t exercise the chin. Ensure that your chin gets 4 weeks of solid rest. Soft padded bandages and lateral splints can be tried, but they don’t provide adequate stabilization. However, “KE apparatus” has better success for forelimb fractures. Fur Fungus Symptoms Loss of hair on nose, eyes and genitals Withdrawn behavior Loss of appetite Causes Damp or humid atmosphere Damp hay releasing spores causing infestation Treatment Isolation, if you have more than one chin

Health Clean cage Sterilize baths, food bowls and water bottles Add anti-fungal powder or athlete’s foot powder in the bath Prevention Clean cages regularly Only give fresh hay Check for dampness in debris Add 1 tablespoon of athlete foot powder to all baths Fur Slip Chins are very anxious rodents. Therefore, one has to be very gentle while handling a chin. A nervous chin will try to escape. If handled roughly, it escapes by releasing patches of fur thereby ruining its pelt. Symptom Patchy fur Causes

Health Rough handling Anxiety in chin Prevention Handle chin gently. Ensure chin is supported well in hand, don’t let it suspend from hand. Fur Chewing/Barbering Chins have a tendency to chew on their own fur coat and this is called barbering. Symptom Patchy fur Causes Boredom Dirty fur Dietary imbalances Hereditary factors

Health Stress or anxiety Treatment Provide ample chew toys. Provide ample exercise time. Create a calm environment for your pet. Spray Variton on chin fur; this tastes real yucky and it prevents the chin from chewing. Gastrointestinal Disorder Chins have a long gastrointestinal tract as they are hindgut fermenters. Their stomach and cecum are large and often full of food. Their diet consists of high fiber low in energy content. Any disruption in this system could result in many problems as given below: Anorexia Diarrhea Intussusceptions (telescoping of intestines)

Health Mucous enteritis Ileus Bloat Rectal prolapse Salmonella Listeria monocytogenes Coccidian Giardia Cryptosporidiosis Giardia Giardia is a common intestinal ailment in chins. This is caused by Giardia - the protozoan - which clings to the surface of intestinal mucosa in the small intestine. Fresh fecal smear must be done routinely to check for this internal parasite. Causes Transmitted through water

Health Through fecal matter - like when dirty paws or hands get in the food Humans can pass the germs, if they handle food with unclean hands. Symptoms Increased or decreased appetite Diarrhea or constipation Wet stools Treatment Fenbendazole Give plenty of fluids Feed high-energy foods Clean the cage daily Prevention Disinfect the cage routinely. Ensure that you wash you hands before feeding the chin. Hair balls/Trichobezoar

Health This condition happens if your chin swallows hair. Unlike other animals, chins cannot vomit the hairball. So, this hairball will accumulate in the intestine causing indigestion and intestine-related problems. Causes Hair in the food Chins lick and groom themselves a lot Symptoms Decrease in appetite Weight loss Constipation Treatment High fiber stimulates motility of the gastrointestinal tract and sustains digestion Exercise also helps in gastrointestinal motility and digestion Prevention

Health Regular grooming. You can brush your chin and clear the hair it has shed. This way, it will not swallow hair while licking itself. Heart murmurs This happens when the heart muscle or valve is weak and allows the blood to flow backward as well as forward or does not “pump properly”. Symptoms Only a vet can diagnose heart murmurs Stroke Paralysis Treatment There is no specific treatment. A chin with this illness is better off euthanized as conditions become worse and difficult for it. Prevention Do not breed chins with this condition, as it is genetically acquired in some cases.

Health Heart Problem/Dilated Cardiomyopathy This heart conditions in chins intrigues us as chins are to known to die suddenly without any symptoms. There is not much research material available on this condition. The only fact that has been gathered is that heart murmurs may be present in early life, but per se there are no other symptoms to indicate this illness. Heat Stroke As mentioned before, chins cannot stand temperatures above 77 ºF. A heat stroke gets them when they are exposed to higher temperatures and this proves fatal in most instances. Symptoms Chins lying on the side Panting Lethargy The body is warm or hot Damp fur

Health Advanced cases: bloody discharge and/or bluish color around mouth Causes Rise in temperature Poor ventilation Direct sunlight Treatment Keeping ice inside the cage Applying rubbing alcohol to their footpads Spray cool water on your chin Air-condition to bring room temperature down Prevention Keep the cage in a cool location Keep the cage away from radiators and other warm machines Incontinence Incontinence is rare in chinchillas. It is a condition where the chins

Health always trickle on themselves while urinating, thus never having a dry coat. This may lead to scalding of skin due to repeated exposure of the skin to urine. Symptoms Chin urinates on himself Staining rear end or belly Scalding of skin Causes Genetic deformity of the urinary system Infections like cystitis or bladder stones Urinary tract infection Treatment Antibiotics like Bay trill are used. In extreme cases, Hibiscrub diluted with warm water can be used to clean the affected area. Sudocrem can be applied to sooth any urine scald. Prevention

Health Keep cage clean Regal diet Careful breeding LACK OF APPETITE Usually, this serves as symptoms for other diseases or illness. Therefore, treatment for the diagnosed illness must be administered. But if no specific illness has been diagnosed, you may follow the treatment given below. Try a combination of any of the two and keep track of the increase in appetite. Treatments Supply Vitamin C, which stimulates appetite. You can mix 3 drops of Abidec vitamins in water. A teaspoon of natural oatmeal thrice a week will increase bulk in the food. Another food element is wheat germ; this adds more calories in the diet. It should be high in protein and folic acid. Vitamin B12 also increases appetite to a large extent.

Health Listeriosis This intestinal infection can be diagnosed through bacterial culture test. Chins that recover from this infection may be carriers. Therefore, it is advised that you do not breed them. Cause Listeriosis is caused by small, gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes Symptoms Anorexia Depression Weight loss Constipation or diarrhea Pain in the stomach Circling and convulsions are more fatal signs as chin exhibiting these signs die.

Health Treatment In this case, prevention is better Than cure as chins are not known to survive once clinical symptoms are visible. Attempted treatment can be prophylactic antibiotics (Chloramphenicol or Oxytetracycline) Prevention Hygiene should be maintained at all levels: cages, water bottles and sand baths. Euthanize infected chinchillas to prevent the spread of infection. Penile hair ring/Paraphimosis This condition is prevalent only in male chins where the fur grows under the sheath of the penis. The hair wraps itself tightly, thereby cutting of the blood circulation to the penis. Chins may die due to this as blood poisoning happens if not attended to immediately. Symptoms Chin looks uncomfortable Is lethargic

Health Penis sticking out Swelling around the penis Difficulty in urinating Red genitals Causes Male chin trying to mate with an unwilling female Male chin trying to mate too early Treatment Pull the sheath backward very gently and clip it with a small scissors. Be extremely careful so as to not to damage the organ at the root. Lubricate the area with water once you have finished, this will make it easier for the penis to retract back. Prevention Be cautious during breeding season. Remove female chin during treatment or if this condition occurs repeatedly.

Health Pneumonia/Respiratory Infection Symptoms Discharge from the eyes and nose Loss of appetite Rough hair coat Wheezing Chin is lethargic Sneezing Chest pains indicated by hunchback-like stance Loss of appetite Weight loss Inflammation of lungs Causes Bacteria such as Bordatella, Pasteurella, Stretococcus check and Pseudomonas Damp housing

Health Cold weather Poor ventilation Drafts Stress Treatment Supportive care Antibiotics Environmental stress should be reduced Keep the cage warm and dry. Prevention Keep away from infected chins. Keep the cage in a warm place. Prolapsed Rectum/Intussusceptions Causes If the chin exerts pressure while excreting, it can lead to interloping of the rectum - in a few cases even the volvulus of the small

Health intestine gets interloped. This may happen if the chin has a case of diarrhea or constipation. Symptoms Chin keeps groaning in pain Looks uncomfortable Treatment Vets mostly put most of the chins to sleep as this condition cannot be rectified. Surgery is not possible as their intestine is very thin and they may not respond well to surgery. Spurs Spurs is an osteoarthritis condition in which bony growths project outward from the ends of a bone in a joint. Causes Genetic makeup Sharp object(s) between teeth Lack of gnawing material

Health Incorrect jaw alignment Symptoms Change in eating habits Excessive drooling Diarrhea Watery eye or eyes Pawing food Loss of appetite Weight loss Treatment Tooth trimming or burring Prevention Keep trimming the tooth depending on its growth. Provide ample chew toys for your chin. Causes Torn Ears or skin

Health Fights Squeezing through mesh Treatment Clip torn areas and wash with water and disinfectant Prevention Separate the fighting chins. Opt to keep chins of the same herd. Ensure that the wires of the cage are not too wide for your chin to squeeze through.

Exercise for Chinchilla

C

hins are very energetic and need ample exercise. If your chin’s cage does not have enough space then, you will have one grumpy looking pet. Exercise helps relieve your chin’s boredom. A bored chin will take to fur biting or fight with the other chins in the cage. So, don’t forget to keep an exercise wheel inside the cage.

Another aspect to consider is that, if you keep your chin caged for too long and then set your pet free, it is bound to make a great escape!!! Be careful not to get your fingers bitten by your chin for they exercise their teeth too - and that is by constantly chewing on wood and anything that they can find near them. So to save your fingers, keep some chewy toys in the cage. Always bear in mind that chins chew to file their teeth, which grow constantly. A chin needs to exercise to remain healthy. Exercise prevents constipation and many more illness but nevertheless, remember to limit the time of exercise to only 20 minutes. This is because a chin can over-work itself to exhaustion and this may lead to health

Exercise for Chinchilla

complications such as heat stroke. Exercise Wheel The wheel must be big enough for the chin to move freely and the mesh should not be too loose as, their digits could get caught in the gaps. Ensure that the wheel has a stable base and is squeak-free; else, the wheel will shake and rattle when your chin runs. You can also secure the wheel by attaching one side of the wheel to the cage; this creates space in the cage as well. You may get dizzy if you see your chin go at the wheel. Your chin has loads of fun exercising!!! As for a kit, well it cannot use the wheel. So, remove the wheel because your curious little kit could end up being injured. Free Run Time If the cage does not have enough space for a wheel, identifya chinsafe area in your house and let your chin out so that it may scamper and scurry to vent its energy.

Exercise for Chinchilla Chin’s safety means four things: No possible escape holes No electrical cords No dangerous heights No items on the ground that is valuable - to you - or unsafe for the chin. It is a guarantee that your chin will chew through anything it sees. Chin is like a termite, the only difference being that you'll love this termite. No other animals in the room A chin literally memorizes its surrounding and that is why it can scamper and scuttle without bumping into walls. And that is exactly why it is very important that your chin gets its exercise in relatively familiar and comfortable surroundings. Do not let your chin into unfamiliar surroundings as it is likely to hurt itself. This is also a great time for bonding between you and your chin. Just sit around on the floor and watch your pet scamper around you. Even if you have an exercise wheel inside the cage, do let your chin out at least thrice a week to provide variety. This again reduces

Exercise for Chinchilla stress in your chin and is good for its health. How do I catch a chinchilla after I release it? Chins consider their cage as their home. Do not get vexed trying to catch your chin - they usually return to the cage all by themselves once they are exhausted or bored of playing. Your chin will be troublesome if you don’t release it often, and then it will want to hold onto that freedom a lot longer. If your chin shows no signs of going back to the cage, you can try the following tricks: Make your chin climb your arm and then walk to the cage and put it in Trick it to the cage with a trail of raisins. Place a dust bath in its cage. Your chin cannot resist a dust bath and will go to it as soon as it spots one. Place a dust bath in its cage. Your chin cannot resist a dust bath and will go to it and soon as it spots one. The last option is chase it and scoop it up or lift it by the tail.

Exercise for Chinchilla This will not hurt your chin. Do it carefully, but it is better if you avoid this method.

Traveling With Chins

A

s emphasized before, chins are prone to stress very easily. Stress induced by environment can prove fatal to the chin, as many health complications occur due to

environment related stress. If you must travel, have someone take care of the chin while you are away. A friend, relative or a vet who has knowledge about chin care or has some amount of experience taking care of pets will be the ideal person. If your journeys extend beyond 2 days, move the chin to a petsitter’s house, and ensure you provide the caretaker with all the essential chin requirements, like pellets, hay, bottles etc. If your chin has any specific allergies or medical history, make it a point to tell the caretaker. And last but not the least; do not forget to give the vet’s number to the pet-sitter. It is absolutely necessary that you must try to recreate a very comfortable environment for your chin. Even otherwise your pet is prone to stress because of the relocation. Ensure that your chin does not get too agitated with the new place.

Traveling With Chins If you are set on traveling with your chin or relocating, you will have to make the following arrangements before traveling, and they are: Organize documents such as license, health certificate and medical prescriptions if any You will have to carry the chin’s cage and toys; a new environment will be very stressful Take the cage and toys the chin is familiar with Ensure you are carrying sufficient food While traveling, secure your chin and make sure it cannot escape Use a rabbit or ferret leash Line the cage with newspaper, as wood shavings are not advisable while traveling While relocating, one important consideration is the temperature of the new place. If it does not suit your chin, consider putting your chin up for adoption rather than taking it to an unsuitable environment.

Breeding

M

ating & Reproduction in Chinchillas

If your chin is cute, the kit is cuter. Baby chinchillas are called kits. Chins are bred for two purposes, one is for their soft pelt and the other is to be kept as pets. Irrespective of what they are bred for, be ready to provide the kits a good home. Do not attempt to breed your chins if you are not entirely aware of the responsibility of having kits. It is just as tough as bringing a human baby into the world. When Are They Ready To Breed? A male chin can impregnate by 4-5 months and the female chin can become pregnant by 5-8 months. This only concerns their biological clock. DO NOT LET YOUR CHIN MATE BEFORE ONE YEAR AS THEY ARE NOT COMPLETELY MATURE. If they mate, the kits in the litter may be of poor quality as they will be weak. The female chin is also at risk as she may die during the delivery because she is

Breeding

too young to litter. Interbreeding in chins is a no. Therefore, separate the chins and kits to avoid this problem. Mating Period They can breed anytime of the year as the female chin comes to heat every 29-35 days. Litter Size The mother chinchillas average a litter of two though the range can extend up to four. The female chin can become pregnant immediately after - delivery. In all, chins can litter more than 3-4 times a year. However, this is not healthy for your chin. To prevent health complications, the female chin should not litter more than two times in a year. Isolate your female chin from the male chin after two litters. It is not easy to get the chins to breed; they are fussy when it comes to picking partners. You have to introduce your chins and if you are lucky, you will have your kits.

Breeding Introducing Your Chins Chins are like humans when it comes to compatibility. Like dating in humans, chins must be introduced to each other, and this is because chins are territorial. How Is This Done? This is done by placing the male and female cages beside each other for a week. Each chin has its own scent. So, when they date chins get acquainted with each other’s scents. You can also keep one chin in a small cage and place this cage in the bigger one for them to be acquainted. This procedure can be followed for introducing chins otherwise too. Do not try to breed your chin without proper introduction. They will scratch each other’s eyes out. Following this, you can place the male in the female’s cage, but monitor their behavior for they might fight causing injury or even death. If they do not fight, then there are not many reasons for worry. The male initially explores the cage and chews on the treats. The

Breeding

female is anxious about the new male in her cage. It is only later that the male chin recognizes the female and when he does, the pair has fun playing, chasing games and nibbling each other. You need to monitor these chins all the same; this is to make sure that they do not suddenly turn hostile to each other. Chins are known to reject each other too. There are two techniques one can adapt when chins reject each other. One is to trap one of them in a container and remove the chin from the cage. The other is to remove them by hand wearing a garden glove so that they do not scratch you. It is ok to try to reintroduce the chins later. And if the attempt does not work beyond 6 months, opt to replace the aggressive chin or reconsider the want for kits. If you know, you want kits and do not want to go through the routine of introduction, buy chins in pairs, this way they are already acquainted with each other.

Breeding How the female chins get pregnant? The male chin mounts the female from behind; it lasts only a few seconds to impregnate the female chin. Following this the male inserts a waxy white plug into the female. This is done to hold the sperm inside thus increasing the chances of the female becoming pregnant. How do you know your female chin is pregnant and what to do then? In general, you can assume that your chin will become pregnant when you house the pair after proper introduction. But if you house them all year long, it is hard to tell when your female chin is pregnant. This is due to the fact that there are not too many sure signs of pregnancy. The fact that they mate during night must also not be forgotten. Remember chins are nocturnal creatures. So, do not be surprised or shocked to find kits in the cage one fine morning. The only certain sign that your chin could be pregnant is the white wax like substance inserted while mating. This is called the estrus plug and finding it is like searching for a needle in a haystack. (It is

Breeding hard to spot the ½ - 1 inch long wax among wood shavings). However, if you do find it, count down to 111 days. This is the gestation period before the kits are born. If you do not have any experience with pregnant chins, do not try to tell by squeezing the tummy. This may cause abortion. Other signs indicating that your chin may be pregnant are: If your female chin does not eat well. When she is pregnant, she eats 2-4 tablespoons of food a day and a handful of hay If she suddenly start sleeping in unusual positions Refuses to play in the dust Sudden loss of weight then followed by a steady gain in weight These are not very certain signs of pregnancy; your chin may exhibit them due to some illness as well. In case you are one hundred percent sure that your chin is pregnant, try not to handle her. You need not be worried about taking special care of your chin when she is pregnant as she is quite capable of doing it herself. She will give birth and clean herself. But

Breeding if you suspect that your chin has developed complications, do not hesitate to take her to the vet. Preparing the Cage for the Kits As mentioned in the housing chapter, you need to reduce the wire meshing to 1/2 x 1 inch in dimension, because kits are good climbers and can squeeze out more easily than adults. So, doubly check your wire-mesh cage when your chin is pregnant or when the kit is born. Another aspect you should consider regarding the cage is the cage floor, place cardboard on it or carpet it. This will ensure that the kit’s leg will not be entangled the wire and cause injury. Cut access to heights inside the cage, kits have no idea about heights. Climbing heights will prove fatal to their delicate organs if they fall. Remove the exercise wheel and other items inside the cage. These can injure the kit. Delivery Delivering a baby is a miracle and a painful process. The chin grunts

Breeding and groans standing on her hind legs during delivery. Labor lasts for about 30 minutes but this again depends on the number of kits being born. There is little loss of blood during delivery. She will lick and clean the kit and herself after she delivers a kit. Kits needs to be cleaned to remove the mucous and make them warm as well; else, they will die from hypothermia. If female chin has more babies inside her, she will deliver it after she cleans the first kit. If your chin has delivered many kits, she may be exhausted and cannot attend to each and every kit. You can pitch in by drying the kits else the kit may die. If babies are found to be strong and healthy but still very wet, a quick brisk rubbing with a soft towel will save time in drying and cut the chances of the baby getting chilled. If the babies are found wet and cold, or even if they appear dead or stiff, you can still do wonders by quickly immersing them up to their nose in very hot water and massaging them briskly. Press your thumb into their abdomen and arch the back by bringing your index and little finger to a closing position towards the thumb. This

Breeding action will pump the heavy mucous out of the baby’s lungs. Following this, blow quickly and hard into the baby’s mouth to expand the lungs. If the kit gasps dry it completely and then warm it up. If the kit still does not gasp, give it your last shot with 1 - 2 drops of caffeine, adrenalin or other cardiac stimulants (injected directly into the lung cavity). A small cylinder of oxygen is expensive. But this can work wonders. Just be sure you do not use it near a flame. The cage should be covered to prevent draft. The babies and their mother could also use some quite and dark environment to rest. As the gestation period is long, kits are fully developed at birth. They can open their eyes as soon as they are born and they are fully furred and teethed as well. Kits can start moving within few hours of birth. Delivery Complications You need to know about the delivery complications in advance, as it is better to be prepared than sorry. Have a good idea of these

Breeding complications irrespective of whether your chin is pregnant or not. And if she does get pregnant you are all ready to handle an emergency. In case of a complication, only a vet is qualified to know what to do next. Your preparation ends with identifying the complications and attending to your chin until the vet can take it from there. If you know that your chin is due for delivery anytime now, then having a vet around is recommended. Or else, call for the vet immediately, if you observe any of the following: If your chin takes more than 30 minutes to deliver one kit, it indicates prolonged labor If you see fresh blood. There is chance that your chin has ruptured a blood vessel Foul smelling delivery indicates stillbirth If your kit is not breathing, it means it has suffocated Some of these symptoms occur during the delivery and some after. There is one sad part to the story and that is, if your female chin has a miscarriage, she may become sterile, as the fetus is mostly

Breeding

absorbed into the body. After-Delivery Care for Mommy Chin The mother loses a lot of vitamins. So, you can replenish it with cranberry juice mixed in water Do not bathe the mother chinchilla, this is because her vaginal opening should heal and it may cause problems while nursing the kits Handle the mommy chin carefully Stock plenty of hay and pellets, she needs the nutrition to feed her babies Add supplement foods such as Vitamin C and calcium Take her out of the cage. As the wheel cannot be kept inside the cage, you need to let her out After Delivery-Care for the Kits Mommy chin will not object if you handle her kit(s) gently. Once the kit is born you could help mommy chin by keeping track

Breeding of the kit’s growth. The baby chin would feel light as a feather as it weighs only 25 - 60 grams. You know, your kit is growing steadily if it gains 2-4 grams a day. You need to do this to make sure that your kit is getting its supplement because sometimes the mother cannot lactate. If your kit is not getting enough nourishment, provide the supplement yourself. This would also help you and the kit to develop a bond and the kit will develop into a social chin. Chin eats the afterbirth as this provides nutrition for the kits. The supplement you give the kit can be a combination of Vitamin D, milk and dry baby cereal. You can make the mix lukewarm and feed the kit with a dropper. NEVER EVER, force the milk down. The kit should suckle the milk on its own; else the milk may go into its lung. If this ever happens, hold the kit upside down with your palm and shake it gently to let the liquid out. Ensure that all the liquid is out and then wipe its nose. You do not have to worry about bathing kits; they usually dust bathe in 2 weeks by themselves. What I do With the Male Chin?

Breeding It is considered safe to keep the male chin inside the cage, as he is not known to harm the kit. However, if you do not want a case of breed back, it is best to move him to another cage. Breed back is when your female chin becomes pregnant almost immediately after giving birth (chins are capable of getting pregnant within 3 days after giving birth). This is not advisable for two reasons: It is not healthy for your female chin Kits may not get enough nourishment if the mommy is feeding them while she is pregnant Breed back can also happen in the instance when the male chin impregnates the female kit after she sexually matures in 8 months. Breed back happens among the chins and kits, as they do not understand the concept of a family. This interbreeding is not good as the kits from such a litter will be of poor quality and the health of the female kit will also get deteriorated. Therefore, it is best that you move the male chin out of the cage (doing this creates more space in the cage for the kits as well).

Breeding

Separating the Mother and Kits Remove the kit from the cage by 8 - 10 weeks. This is done for two purposes: To wean them from milk, you can introduce adult chin food in small quantities To prevent breed back between the male kit and the mother chin or the sister chin Cage chin or the sister chin, cage chins of the same sex together after separating them. This will ensure that breed back does not happen. Neutering This carries certain risks and of course there this question of ethics. But if you are sure that you do not want any more kits/chins, you can consult your vet to neuter your pet. This allows you to house chins of opposite sex without being worried about the female chin getting pregnant. Ensure that the vet has ample experience in neutering; this is necessary because anesthetics pose a big danger to small rodents. The most fatal part of neutering does not lie in the

Breeding procedure but the amount of anesthesia administered. You have to consider the age and health of the chin before neutering. It is best that your chin breeds at least once before it is neutered. Chins can be neutered between the ages of 1 - 3 years. Ensure that your vet does a physical examination of your pet before the operation. Your chin should not be ill during the operation because chances of its recovery is low. Chins with heart murmur should not be neutered, as they cannot be anesthetized successfully. Also keep in mind the lifestyle of your chin before considering this option. If you are caging chins of opposite sexes, it is a good idea to take up this option because chins are known to breed constantly. The neutered chin needs to be isolated for 1 month for proper recovery (remember that the incision must heal completely).

Appendix

Where To Buy Chinchillas USA http://www.norcalchins.com http://lovechinchillas.com http://www.tiggersteddies.com http://www.chinchillarancher.com http://www.pets4love.com http://babysoft.chinchillas.org http://www.petwebsite.com http://home.earthlink.net/~sunnie901/quotforchinchinchillasquot http://www.raining_rats.tripod.com/ACHA http://www.thedustbath.com http://www.wingsnwhiskers.com/index.htm http://www.geocities.com http://www.chinchillarampage.com http://home.earthlink.net/~naturecoastchins

127

Appendix

http://www.furnaschinchillas.com http://www.summersetangels.com http://www.angelfire.com/in4/chillas-n-gliders http://www.showcase.netins.net/web/popefamily http://www.blueflagfarms.com/chinchilla/chincity.htm http://www.jagschinchillas.com Http://www.chinchillarave.com http://foxykristin1.tripod.com/kristinsstarqualitychinchillas http://dchinchillas.homestead.com/main1.html http://chin.nettrip.net http://www.njchins.com http://www.spoiledchins.net http://www.chinnitude.com http://members.aol.com/sirchin/breeders.htm http://www.chinstocherish.homestead.com http://www.chinchilla4sale.com

128

Appendix

http://www.sewardbreeders.com http://www.willamettevalleychins.com http://www.TheGnawtyChinchilla.com http://www.SweetheartChinchillas.com http://www.geocities.com/chincentral http://www.corvallis.chinchillas.org http://www.chinbin.com http://www.zanychins.com http://www.uschinchillas.com http://www.frenchcreekchinchillas.com http://www.ChinchillasRI.com http://www.rjsonline.net/chinchillas http://www.HuggablePets.com http://cd_farms.tripod.com/ http://www.eotc-pets.com http://www.tejaschinlets.com

129

Appendix

http://www.saltvalleychins.com http://www.cutechinchillas.com http://hometown.aol.com/mabkcb/page1.html http://www.havchins.com http://81x.com/jpchinchillas/Chinchillas http://www.wsu.edu/~twylie/index4.htm http://www.alisonschinchillas.freeservers.com http://www.smileyscritters.com http://www.chinchillaart.com http://www.thechinchillahouse.com http://www.wisconsinchinchillas.com CANADA Http://sites.centralpets.com/mammals/cherubchins/index.html http://www.pets-on-the-net.com/directory/chinchilla/ http://www.sylvanlakechinchillas.com http://www.lachinchilla.com

130

Appendix

http://members.shaw.ca/chinniechinchins http://www.geocities.com/alberta_chins http://southislandchinchillas.com http://www.petchins.com http://users.iglide.net/chinchillahouse/index.htm http://www.chinchillakingdom.homestead.com/chinchi.html http://www.rjsonline.net/chinchillas/carolina_chinchilla_connection 003.htm http://www.ranuiaviary.com http://www.manitobaexotics.ca http://www.shanschinchillas.com Http://bluemoonchinchillas.tripod.com http://canadianchinchillas.tripod.com http://sunrisechinchillas.tripod.com http://www.canadianchinchillaconnection.com http://chinchillas.cjb.net

131

Appendix

http://www.fermecorail.com http://www.chinchillaparkplace.ca/forsale.php UK http://www.chinbin.com/chinsale.html http://merlin.chinchillas.org www.chinnychinchins.co.uk/breedercodes.htm http://www.cheekychinchillas.com/breedersuk.html http://chinchillacymru.co.uk/index.html

132

Appendix

Where to Buy Cage & Accessories http://www.epetpals.com/chinchilla_supplies.htm http://www.pet-shop.net/html/chinhome.html http://members.aol.com/sirchin/chin2.htm http://www.animalcages.com/the-kritter-store-cages-chinhom.html http://www.erodent.co.uk/ChinchillaCages.htm http://www.chillaquip.freeuk.com/cages.html http://www.thedustbath.com/forsalecages.html http://www.ehow.com/buy_5215_chinchilla-cage.html http://www.petcarecentral.com/chinhom.html

133

Appendix

Great Chinchilla Names Andes

Blossom

Chesney

Dumbo

Arwen

Bob

ChiChi

Duster

Ashes

Boo

Chimmie

Dusty

Ashley

Boris

Chinchi

Dylan

Baby

Bubbles

Chingy

Dyson

Baja

Bucket

Chino

Eddy

Bamba

Buckles

Chip

Elliot

Banna

Buddy

Chubbs

Elmo

Barnaby

Caelan

Cicero

Eve

Bawler

Camomile

Cloud

Ezra

Baxter

Charity

Cutie

Fefe

Beanie

Charlie

Cyclone

Felix

Beano

Chaz

Dandy

Ferdy

Belle

Cheech

Daquiri

Fergie

Ben

Cheena

Davon

Fifi

Benny

Cheerio

Diana

Flora

Betty

Chella

Dino

Flossie

Bifta

Cherry

Ditto

Fluffer

Bilbo

Cherub

Doby

Fluffy

134

Appendix

Great Chinchilla Names Fox

Jiffy

Lulu

Nibbler

Frosty

Jimmy

Madagasca

Nibbles

Gadget

Job

Manzana

Nickle

Girdy

Joe

Marlo

Nimba

Gizmo

Jolanda

Meringue

Norton

Gris

Jools

Mia

Nosfuratu

Grouch

Junior

Miffy

Nutmeg

Gukki

Karki

Misty

Ollie

Gus

Kassy

Mocha

Oriel

Hal

Kiki

Mogwie

Oscar

Harley

Kimbo

Molly

Pan

Harriet

Kitoby

Morphy

Panca

Harry

Kitty

Muggwye

Peanut

Herman

Lara

Mumfy

Pepsi

Jaffa

Larry

Mumsie

Petal

Jaffa

Leo-cario

Munchie

Pips

Jake

Levi

Murphy

Pran

Java

Lilac

Musti

Pretty

Jethroe

Lucky

Neffi

Prozac

135

Appendix

Great Chinchilla Names Puffer

Smokey

Twister

Putty

Smudge

Ty

Quena

Snuffy

Tyson

Quigley

Sophie

Victor

Rachacha

Sparky

Vinny

Rain

Speckles

Violet

Ralph

Spice

Webster

Revel

Spook

Zach

Ringo

Spook

Zandra

Roxy

Stan

Zazu

Ruby

Star

Zebedee

Rusty

Stitch

Zorro

Sancho

Stormy

Zorro

Savannah

Surf

Zulu

Shuga

Syko

Sid

Tamale

Silver

Thelma

Simba

Tut

Simon

Twinkle

136

Appendix

Where to Find a Veterinarian USA & UK http://www.chin.buffnet.net/chinvets.html USA http://www.vetworld.com/vetusa/index.html http://www.thedustbath.com/natvets.html UK http://chinchillacymru.co.uk/index.html

137

Appendix

Meeting Other Chinchilla owners http://www.chinchillaclub.com/ http://www.ringsurf.com/netring?action=info&ring=chinclub

138

Conclusion

E

xpect the unexpected. Whichever way you look at it, life is demanding. And meeting demands is to be expected. To expect someone or

something that makes little or no demands is an unusual expectation. But it's not an unreal expectation; meet the chinchilla. Chins are a contradiction in today's hustle-and-bustle world. Instead of being demanding, they help us to unwind after a hectic day. Imagine coming home, letting a chin out of its cage, watch it scamper about, and be up to innocent antics. Few things can be more relaxing. This is the reason by which chinchillas are such a popular family pet.

Photographs Acknowledgements http://www.morguefile.com - Page No - 26, 27 http://www.istockphoto.com - Page No - 1 http://www.crookedacreschinchillas.freeservers.com - Page No - 13 http://www.freewebs.com - Page No - 21 http://www.elmersaquarium.com - Page No - 30 http://www.cheekychinchillas.com - Page No - 31 http://www.tilleyfarm.org - Page No - 32 http://www.erodent.co.uk - Page No - 33 http://www.chinchilla.nu - Page No - 35 http://www.advocatesforanimals.org.uk - Page No - 39 http://www.chinnitude.com - Page No - 40 http://hugoboy.typepad.com - Page No - 41 http://www.chinbin.com - Page No - 44 http://www.chinchillas2home.co.uk - Page No - 46 http://www.sphynxrescue.com - Page No - 46 http://www.luvnchins.com - Page No - 47

Photographs Acknowledgements http://chinchillacymru.co.uk - Page No - 48 http://www.princessleia.com - Page No - 50 http://www.antje-schulte.org - Page No - 51 http://www.hallahelmen.net - Page No - 53 http://thechinchillagirl.50megs.com - Page No - 57 http://members.aol.com - Page No - 105 http://www.antje-schulte.org - Page No - 106 http://www.cheekychinchillas.com - Page No - 112 http://www.chinbin.com - Page No - 113 http://home.earthlink.net - Page No - 115 http://www.luphen.org.uk - Page No - 122