Do Chinchillas Need To Go To The Veterinarian?
Do they need check ups? If they do are there any other pets you know of that don't need to go to the vet? I just hate paying the bills.
stacy g answered:
I had one that I never took to the vet nor have I ever seen one go to the vet unless there was something wrong with them.
Peyton answered:
Annual trips to the vet are best for any animal, even the ones that don't require vaccinations (like chinchillas). Regular preventative vet care can save your pet's life AND can actually save you money in the long run by catching the problem before surgery is needed.
Keep in mind that if cared for properly, chins can live into their 20's, though 10-15 years is more common. The oldest on record was 33 when it passed away.
As for animals in general, if you don't want to pay the bills, you probably shouldn't own one.
JME answered:
Yes, you do need to take a domesticated chinchilla to the vet for check-ups and health issues. You can find vets that specialize in exotic animals in most areas.
The only pet I can think of that doesn't need vet visits are fish. Many people own birds, rodents, and reptiles without ever taking them to the vet- but in all honesty they should at least go in for an initial check-up, regular fecal exams, and you should always have a vet contact for emergencies. Too many people purchase these small animals thinking they don't have to get them health care, it's really unfortunate.
Pets cost money, it's just a fact of life.
sdograph answered:
You should take your chinchilla to the vet. Find an vet that specializes in exotic species and at least get an initial exam done with them. Many vets won't take sick animals unless they are a client of theirs (I used to work at a vet and I know that emergency fees were tremendous if they weren't yet an animal that we haven't seen yet). So it's a good idea to at least get him/her established with a vet in the case that he does get sick or has an emergency. You'll be glad you did in the long run!
blue_gir answered:
My roommate had chinchillas, and they are actually prone to sickness and injury (they are very fragile). She had to take hers to the vet three times in one year and it was expensive because regular vets don't always deal with animals such as chinchillas, so they may even need a specialist. I had a hamster, a mouse, and a bird that never needed to go to the vet, they were very easy to care for.
My chinchilla goes to an exotic vet regularly. My other two did too. Past the age of five they started getting dental problems. Their teeth are constantly growing so if they don't chew evenly on both sides they start to develop spurs on their back teeth. The spurs can be really sharp, and cut into their cheek which can make it difficult to. Watch out for signs of this -- their droppings will get smaller, they'll paw at their cheeks, and when it gets really bad they will drool and get smelly breath. Regular vets don't really deal with it. Chinchillas have such small mouths that this condition can be missed. it took ages before I got referred to Johanna the exotic vet. Now I take Cheeky every four months to have her spurs filed down before they start cutting into her.
My chinchillas ears are starting to flop at the tips. Is that bad? I was thinking maybe he wasn't getting enough vitamins or something but i need to know if it's bad.
My chinchilla (Ishmael) had an eye infection once. You can find a million cures to chinchilla ailments on the Internet, but I suggest a vet. It's best to have one that specializes in ferrets or rabbits, because they know how to handle small mammals. Just ask when you call or e-mail the vet.