Preventive Care
Gut Stasis.
Gut stasis is a very serious disease which can affect rabbits, chinchillas and guinea pigs.
If your pet has not eaten or pooped for 12 hours then you should be taking them to see a vet as soon as possible, this is an urgent condition and cannot wait for 2 or 3 days. You may also syringe feed some water carefully before the consultation.
Do not offer them junk food or snacks as this may make things worse.
Gut stasis can be caused by any problem that cause a lack of appetite, and if not treated quickly can become fatal.
Causes include stress, fast diet change, dehydration, eating too much junk food, too much sugar or carbohydrates, grooming too much fur and not eating enough fibre, as well as dental disease, liver and kidney problems.
We have seen ‘gut stasis’ after such events as owners moving house, changing the pet’s cage, changing from one type of hay or pellet to another, going to a chinchilla party, having a hot-pot gathering at home, construction work taking place next door, a new pet, the loss of a bonded companion and thunderstorms!
To reduce the risk of this common and serious disease you should:
- Follow our diet advice to give high fibre, hay based diets.
- Do not give too many pellets, oats, biscuits, or junk food.
- Always have fresh water available.
- Groom your pet.
- Encourage exercise.
- Keep stress down and reduce change.
- Make all diet changes smooth and gradual.
Parasites.
At Tai Wai Small Animal and Exotic Hospital we have never found any endoparasites ( gut worms) or ectoparasites ( insects that live in the hair or skin) in any pet chinchilla that have been brought to us for treatment.
Fortuantely parasite problems appear to be very rare for chinchillas.
If you think your pet is too itchy, losing too much fur or has some skin disease then please bring them in for a consultation.
Do NOT use any dog or cat flea products on chinchillas as they can be too strong for the smaller pets and can even kill them.