76
Q & A / Re: Is cement harmful for chins?
« on: October 21, 2017, 08:09:35 PM »
You can get pumice rocks in larger chunks as well. Like I said regarding cement I just don't know.
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77
Q & A / Re: Is cement harmful for chins?
« on: October 21, 2017, 11:14:02 AM »
Honestly I don't know. If I'm going to guess I would say cement has lime in it which is toxic. After it's cured I'm not sure how safe it is though.
I recommend finding a source of raw pumice. It should be a lot cheaper than a lava ledge and you might be able to insert the lava ledge fasteners into them. Raw pumice is known to be safe for chinchillas.
I recommend finding a source of raw pumice. It should be a lot cheaper than a lava ledge and you might be able to insert the lava ledge fasteners into them. Raw pumice is known to be safe for chinchillas.
78
Health / Re: Bad eye and running in circles.
« on: October 20, 2017, 07:31:55 AM »
If it starts advancing to the genital area you should consult a vet and get some stronger medication to prevent complications. Fungus usually gets worse before it gets better but will usually resolve with a medicated dust bath and sometimes on its own in 2-3 weeks. And it can be contagious. I recommend dusting this one in a separate room from the others as well.
80
Health / Re: Bad eye and running in circles.
« on: October 16, 2017, 09:22:38 AM »
If he is running in circles I'm not sure if that is a sign of a problem. My healthy chins do that too. If his head is tilted to one side or another or he appears to have issues with balance that could be a sign of damage to the inner ear or brain. Give this one a really good quarantine.
81
Q & A / Re: Have you ever re-homed a chinchilla? Why?
« on: October 15, 2017, 10:06:37 PM »
Another question. How long have you had the chins. Also peeing outside of the cage is unusual (though not unheard of) for a male. Are you are certain of their sexes? Also what behavior are you observing that makes you think they are not compatible?
82
Q & A / Re: Chew deterring sprays, etc.
« on: October 15, 2017, 10:04:31 PM »
My chins will chew on the bars as well. It is normal behavior, although annoying. Having some wood toys will help but it won't stop it 100%. You can try the spray but I don't it will make a difference. I don't recommend using black pepper. That can cause eye irritation and possible issues you don't want to have to deal with.
83
Q & A / Re: Have you ever re-homed a chinchilla? Why?
« on: October 15, 2017, 10:02:45 PM »
I use a two level FN-182. I have two chins, one per level. I originally wanted to combine them but they turned out to be incompatible. It turns out the space they have is just fine for them so I wouldn't be too critical of the space you have. They are thriving in their areas.
It's better to not switch them around for variety. Chinchillas like their space and are territorial about it. That practice may be contributing to your urine problem.
I recommend adding shelving to the cage as well as wooden or metal splash guards. This can also help and it gives your chins more space. Shelves should be wood, preferably white pine or aspen. The wood can be cut with a basic hand saw. Fasteners such as stud bolts, wingnuts, and fender washers can be easily installed with a drill and bit.
You can certainly swap the wheel back and forth with little effort. I have a chin spin as well and it's easy to set up.
My advice is keep the setup you have and save up for another wheel. Make the modifications described and you should be all set.
It's better to not switch them around for variety. Chinchillas like their space and are territorial about it. That practice may be contributing to your urine problem.
I recommend adding shelving to the cage as well as wooden or metal splash guards. This can also help and it gives your chins more space. Shelves should be wood, preferably white pine or aspen. The wood can be cut with a basic hand saw. Fasteners such as stud bolts, wingnuts, and fender washers can be easily installed with a drill and bit.
You can certainly swap the wheel back and forth with little effort. I have a chin spin as well and it's easy to set up.
My advice is keep the setup you have and save up for another wheel. Make the modifications described and you should be all set.
84
General Chat / Re: Do you do Chin rescue?
« on: October 15, 2017, 09:55:53 PM »
That's great. The closest that I have to a rescue was my first chinchilla that I found on craigslist. He was in pretty bad shape when I got him but that wasn't obvious until he developed symptoms of malocclusion and had to be put down. I had him for about six months. He was not tame and could barely be handled. He actually sprayed although he was a male, bit hard, ran out of the cage when I opened the door. He had so many horrible habits. My other two chins are a dream compared to this one. I loved him though and really hated to see him go. I learned so much too and saw a lot of improvement in him before it was over.
85
General Chat / Re: Advice wanted please
« on: September 29, 2017, 09:57:35 PM »
I strongly suspect one was sterile which is rare. Chinchillas can breed at just about any time and all it takes is a few seconds. You don't know which one so if you're going to pair female certainly is best. I hope everything goes well for you. I recommend at minimum two weeks in the same room with the cages at minimum 2 inches apart before trying to introduce them in the open.
Put them together in a dust bath in an area such as a shower stall where you can break up fighting and observe them easily. Typically there is going to be some ruckus at first and dominance mounting. This goes for females too. If they start pulling each other's hair they should be separated immediately. If they start spraying (males do not spray), it may be better to separate them but hair pulling is a danger sign.
Some chins are so nasty they'll kill the other in seconds but that is quite rare. Be very observant.
Put them together in a dust bath in an area such as a shower stall where you can break up fighting and observe them easily. Typically there is going to be some ruckus at first and dominance mounting. This goes for females too. If they start pulling each other's hair they should be separated immediately. If they start spraying (males do not spray), it may be better to separate them but hair pulling is a danger sign.
Some chins are so nasty they'll kill the other in seconds but that is quite rare. Be very observant.
86
Health / Re: Missing foot rescue.
« on: September 27, 2017, 10:33:39 AM »
I recommend using a parrot dish that will mount to the side of the cage. They have a ring and stainless steel cup. Put it where he can reach it easily. These are awesome chin feeders. Pellets are going to bring his weight up better than hay. Both should be kept available. Supplementing with critical care (not syringe fed but off a spoon if he'll take it) might help as well.
87
General Chat / Re: Advice wanted please
« on: September 27, 2017, 10:30:17 AM »
Yes let me clarify. It is harder on the surviving chinchilla when breeding pairs are separated. There are going to be behavioral changes but it should stabilize with time. Sometimes a chinchilla can go into depression at first so monitor food consumption and weight closely for the next couple of weeks.
I do not discourage anyone to attempt to pair chins as long as they are same sex or if one of them is sterilized. Pairing is a process. It can take weeks. It does not always work so I always advise owners to be prepared to have independent cage setups or compartmentalized cages in case it does not out.
I do not discourage anyone to attempt to pair chins as long as they are same sex or if one of them is sterilized. Pairing is a process. It can take weeks. It does not always work so I always advise owners to be prepared to have independent cage setups or compartmentalized cages in case it does not out.
88
General Chat / Re: Advice wanted please
« on: September 26, 2017, 09:05:19 PM »
No problem. Very sorry for your loss. My advice is to forego introducing a new female chinchilla with the intention of combining them, but to get another female and put her in a separate cage in the same room. If they are compatible they will get used to each other over a period of a couple of months and then you can try to introduce them if they appear to be ameable towards each other. That way you won't feel pressured to combine them.
With breeding pairs it is going to be harder when separated. I think she'll get over it and become accustomed to her new situation. It's not necessarily the best thing to introduce a new chin.
Chinchillas are finicky creatures and not always compatible with each other. It seems there are more successes than failures but I'd hate for you to lose one or both in a cage fight. Please do not combine her with a male chinchilla as this will likely result in breeding. I know she was with another male. I'm guessing it was neutered if there were no kits or was somehow sterile. Chins are capable of breeding indefinitely.
And if anyone gives you a rude reply please message me if I don't catch it first.
God bless.
With breeding pairs it is going to be harder when separated. I think she'll get over it and become accustomed to her new situation. It's not necessarily the best thing to introduce a new chin.
Chinchillas are finicky creatures and not always compatible with each other. It seems there are more successes than failures but I'd hate for you to lose one or both in a cage fight. Please do not combine her with a male chinchilla as this will likely result in breeding. I know she was with another male. I'm guessing it was neutered if there were no kits or was somehow sterile. Chins are capable of breeding indefinitely.
And if anyone gives you a rude reply please message me if I don't catch it first.
God bless.
89
Health / Re: Missing foot rescue.
« on: September 23, 2017, 07:59:27 PM »
Chins can do very well with a missing foot and tolerate surgical foot amputations well. I wouldn't give up on it unless there's signs of internal or dental problems. See if it gains weight on a proper diet. Eye infections are somewhat common in chins. Some infections can cause some pretty nasty symptoms but usually they respond well to meds. Eye infections can in some cases be caused by malo. If that is the case an xray will easily diagnose that.
I'm praying you'll have a good turnout with the skinny one.
I'm praying you'll have a good turnout with the skinny one.
90
Health / Re: My chinchilla drools but it's not her teeth
« on: September 23, 2017, 06:05:00 PM »
It's probably teeth considering the history of malocclusion. Digestion is severely effected by anorexia. You may need to hand feed. Dental malocclusion is usually a terminal disease I'm sorry to say. I think you should discuss this with your veterinarian and make some judgment calls. Be very careful that her health does not deteriorate where it endangers your other chins.