How Often Do Chinchillas Need To Go To The Vet?

Better safe than sorry.

It is always better to catch problems before they become serious.

That is why we see the doctor for regular checkups.

And why we take our pets to the vet for the same.

But what about smaller pets? How often do chinchillas need to go to the vet?

Or do they need to go at all? I mean, no one takes their goldfish in for a regular checkup, right?

Well, you could get your chinchilla checked out regularly. But you don’t have to.

How regularly? Keep reading to find out. We will cover how often your chinchilla should see the vet and also some signs to look for that tell you your pet should see a vet immediately.

 

How Often Do Chinchillas Need To Go To The Vet?

Chinchillas do not necessarily need regular vet checkups. Some vets will recommend annual health checkups and bloodwork to ensure everything is fine, but many do not.

The stress of a vet visit may not be worth it in most cases. In the end it is up to you whether to take your pet to the vet often.

You should definitely take it for a checkup when you first get it and you must also take your chinchilla to the vet immediately if it shows symptoms of any of the health issues discussed below.

 

Symptoms In Chinchillas That Need Immediate Medical Attention

In addition to routine annual health checkups, you need to take your chinchilla to the vet if it shows certain symptoms. Here are some common symptoms that indicate a serious disease in chinchillas.

 

Poor Fur Or Fur Loss

A normal chinchilla will have healthy fur with luster, sheen, and fluffiness. If your pet’s fur is appearing dry, rough, or dull and you cannot account for its off-color appearance, please see your vet right away. The same goes if it is losing fur.

 

High Body Temperature

A healthy chinchilla has a rectal temperature in the range of 97° to 100° F (36° to 37.8° C). If your chinchilla’s temperature is over 100° F, it could indicate a disease condition. If the temperature is over 103° F (39.4° C), it is very serious, and you need to take steps to lower it immediately.

 

Heat Stroke

Chinchillas can die from heat strokes, so it is very important to keep the temperature in their enclosure between 60° to 74° F (16° to 23° C). Signs of heat stroke in chinchillas are panting, open-mouth breathing, lethargy, and a high body temperature.

 

Lethargy And Unresponsiveness

Healthy and normal chinchillas are active, eating, playing, climbing, or jumping. On the other hand, a sick chinchilla might be lethargic and inactive. It might sleep more and not be aware of you or even of food placed nearby. Chinchillas that display such symptoms need immediate veterinary help.

 

Dull Eyes

Healthy chinchillas have bright eyes with a clear, beady appearance. On the other hand, a sick chinchilla might have dull eyes without focus. There may also be discharge and redness. It is important to see the vet right away if that is the case.

 

Changes In Stool Or Urine

Sick chinchillas could have diarrhea and/or bloody urine. The color of their feces is also important. If it is yellow, green, black, tarry, gray, bubbly, or blood-stained, you need to see the vet right away.

Similarly, if your chinchilla has not produced stool for over 12 hours or more, a vet should see it immediately. Constipation and bloating in chinchillas is a serious matter.

 

Lack Of Appetite And Weight Loss

A chinchilla in poor health might stop eating, which may result in weight loss. If, despite making food changes, your pet appears to be losing weight, you must see the vet.

 

Respiratory Issues

Respiratory issues are characterized by signs like wheezing, sneezing, or labored breathing. If you notice these signs, please do not hesitate to see your vet.

 

Hairballs (Trichobezoars)

Like cats, chinchillas are fastidious self-groomers. Consequently, they end up swallowing some of their fur, resulting in hairballs, or trichobezoars.

 

Dental Issues

Chinchillas need to be monitored for dental issues. Since these animals do not have dental roots, their teeth grow continuously. To wear them down, your chinchilla needs a steady supply of hay and commercial pellets.

Dental issues can be dangerous for chinchillas. Abscesses, overgrown teeth, and impacted teeth can all result in poor appetite, blood infections, and even death in chinchillas. So, make sure to have your chinchilla’s teeth examined by a vet at least bi-annually.

 

How Do You Take A Chinchilla To The Vet?

The best way to take your chinchilla to the vet is to use a small pet carrier. Choose one with the right size and materials. Usually, hard, food-grade plastic carriers are great.

You can get your chinchilla used to the pet carrier by allowing it to sniff and explore it. Toss in some treats and let your chinchilla sit in the carrier.

Do not close the door so your pet can come and go as it pleases. This will create a positive association for the chinchilla with the carrier and a stress-free journey to the vet.

Our article on how to restrain a chinchilla has a few different methods for getting ahold of your pet so that you can put it in the carrier when the time comes, if it simply won’t go into it on its own.

 

Do Chinchillas Need Vaccines?

No, chinchillas do not need vaccinations. In fact, no vaccines have been developed for the species.

 

Do Chinchillas Need Worming?

Similarly, chinchillas do not need deworming. However, if you notice worms in your chinchilla’s feces or are concerned it is losing weight despite eating, please check with your vet to see if deworming can help.

 

Do Chinchillas Get Sick Easily?

Chinchillas are generally easy to care for. They usually don’t get sick much in their 15 to 20 year lifespan (in captivity) as long as you provide them with everything they need.

Even then, certain factors can come into play that are beyond your control. Genetics and the environment play a huge role in a chin’s health.

Naturally, there isn’t much you can do about genetics other than buy your pet from a reputable chinchilla breeder. You can, however, take care of its environment by providing it with a clean, stress-free cage, nutritious food, regular veterinary care, and mental stimulation.

 

Are Chinchillas High-Maintenance Pets?

Raising chinchillas is fairly easy if you do it correctly. They are sweet, docile, and affectionate pets, and they also love to interact with humans. They are not as high maintenance as other pets like dogs and cats. They certainly don’t need walks and elaborate baths.

However, chinchillas do need a certain level of research, which you should ideally do before you bring one home as a pet. That way, you will know exactly what it needs and what to expect before getting one.

It can be frustrating to bring home a pet, only to find out that it is not what you expected it to be, or that you bought the wrong cage or supplies.

Chinchillas also need daily human interaction as well as playtime outside their cage. Without these, they can get stressed and sick.

Chins also need routine veterinary care and dental checkups every now and then. Your pet needs healthy commercial pellets and a steady supply of high-quality hay daily. It also needs weekly dust baths with special volcanic dust.

If you’re committed to providing your chinchilla with these things, then it should not be too hard to keep one as a pet.

 

Chinchilla Need To Go To The Vet Regularly: Final Thoughts

Many vets recommend that you take your chinchilla to see the vet annually for a regular checkup. Prevention is always better than trying to cure a disease, especially since things can get very serious very quickly with such a small animal.

By the time you notice a problem and get your pet to the vet, it may already be too late. If you do see s sign of a serious illness, like the ones listed above, do not hesitate. Get your pet in for a checkup as soon as you can. Ideally, right away.