Normal Physiologic Parameters:
- HR: 100 – 150 bpm
- Rectal temperature: 98.6 – 100.4°F
- Adult weights: female 400 – 600g, male 400 – 500g
- Average life span: 10 years (up to 20 reported)
Fluid Replacement Therapy (maintenance):
- 50 – 100 ml/kg/day SQ, IV, IO q 24 hours (warmed to 37°)
- Replacement volume is based on estimated % dehydration
- Prefer Lactated Ringers but can use NaCl 0.9%
- Attempt oral fluid replacement first with water or pedialyte, if unable to give sufficient volume orally, start subcutaneous fluid therapy.
Daily Nutritional consumption:
- 3 – 6 g of food/100 g BW/day
For animals that are off feed or having difficulty eating after a procedure, Oxbow critical care formula has complete balanced nutrition for the sick chinchilla. This is administered by forced feeding. Call 1 800 249 0366 to purchase.
- Recommended volume: 30 – 40 ml/day
Maintain Body Temperature:
- External heating source (heating pad or warmed ambient temperature)
Antibiotic Administration: Chinchillas are hindgut fermenters and are highly sensitive to gram positive and anaerobe spectrum antibiotics. These antibiotics may produce dysbiosis, resulting in unbalanced overgrowth of microflora. Antibiotics with gram positive and anaerobic spectrum of activity should not be administered to chinchillas.
For additional information regarding chinchilla husbandry and care, please direct questions to Research Animal Resources veterinarians
