Health
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When Chinchilla Diseases Hit Hard, Knowledge Matters More Than Ever
A glimpse inside GCA’s December research focus Over the past year, many people who care deeply about chinchillas have faced something unsettling. Bacterial infections like Strep zoo and Pseudomonas have appeared with little warning, progressed quickly, and in some cases resisted standard treatment. For a prey species that hides illness until it cannot anymore, this…
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Chinchilla Whiskers: The Marvel of the Vibrissal Sensory System
Chinchillas are not only known for their dense fur and gentle demeanor but also for their highly developed vibrissal sensory system—a sophisticated network of whiskers that plays a crucial role in their survival. Unlike regular hair, chinchilla whiskers, or vibrissae, are deeply embedded in the facial region and are connected to a specialized set of…
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Why Does My Chinchilla Get Fungus? Prevention Tips & Causes Explained
Fungal infections are one of the most common skin issues affecting chinchillas, often caused by ringworm species. Symptoms like hair loss, flaky skin, and, in rare cases, scabbing can be alarming for chinchilla owners. So, why do these infections happen, and what can you do to prevent them? For mild cases, many chinchilla owners use…
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The Importance Of Hay For Healthy Chinchillas
Hay plays a very important role in the health of chinchillas and should be the foundation of their diets. Chinchillas are herbivores and need to have food constantly moving through their digestive systems. The fiber in hay aids in this process. Frequency to Feed Hay ~ A handful of hay keeps the veterinarian away ~…
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Quarantining A New Chinchilla
Fungus, Conjunctivitis, Coccidiosis, Pseudomonas Aeuruginosa, Streptococcus and Staphylococcus are just a few of the illnesses that an exposed or sick chinchilla could be bringing home to your current chinchilla pet. What is Quarantine? Quite simply, quarantine is an isolation to prevent the spread of disease. Quarantine should always be deemed necessary when bringing in any new…