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My chinchilla's fur keeps getting dirty and clumpy?
Over the past few weeks, I've noticed that my chinchilla's fur under her chin is greenish/brown (she is white, so it is very obvious) and clumpy... As if it was sticky and dried. She gets regular dust baths and there have been no changes to her cage (unusual treats, toys, etc). She did have a new tunnel that she was tearing apart, but I took it out after I noticed the discoloration.
When I first noticed it, it was just a small patch on her chest and a little on her arm, and I managed to wash it off and comb it out. I am going to use the same method on her chin, but I was wondering what the cause of this could be. It is definitely causing her discomfort and she is trying to fix it herself, but pulling out some hair along the way. :/
(The vet isn't an option, as there are no "small animal-friendly" vets near us).
3 Answers
- Summery:)Lv 49 years ago
She could have a fungus infection. It could be a lot of things. This website lists a ton of fur problems and symptoms. http://www.chinchillas2home.co.uk/furbite.htm
- Anonymous9 years ago
Tooth problems? If you can't take her to the vet, you might have to trim her teeth yourself, but it might be far too late. http://www.chinnitude.com/teeth.htm
If you absolutely have to do it yourself, it's possible by using doggie nail clippers like this http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002ARULA/ref=asc_df_B00... or this http://www.revivalanimal.com/Millers-Forge-Pet-Nai...
Wrap her completely in a towel, head and all. Gently as possible, pry her mouth open and as quickly as you can slip the snippers on the teeth, check to make sure her tongue is clear, and snip just the white tip off. (This is MUCH easier if you have someone to hold her while you do the snipping, plus you can see better). Do NOT jerk or jump!
She'll be exhausted and will need some hand feeding. Try just grinding the pellets with some alfalfa in a small food processor and adding hot water to soften it, then spoon feeding her http://www.erodent.co.uk/HandFeedingAChinchilla.ht... If that doesn't work, try this http://chinchillachronicles.com/hand_feeding_a_chi...
Most important thing of all is to keep her hydrated!
I always keep a small box of instant rice baby food and a jar or two of baby food vegetables around for emergencies like this. Tastes good and they sometimes take to it better than mushie pellets which they may be absolutely opposed to eating at this point. (add banana if you have some).
Source(s): Saved several small animals this way. Not all mine of course! - Anonymous9 years ago
Try and seach the internet to see if it could be a fur disease or medical condition. You could also try washing your chinchilla with a special chinchilla or small-animal shampoo. If these don't work then you might have to find a small animal-friendly vet even if it is far. Hope I helped and good luck!
