ALL CREATURES ANIMAL HOSPITAL Basic Care of Chinchillas and Degus

The Chinchilla and Degu and do better in pairs or small groups. However, females The chinchilla (Chinchilla can be aggressive towards laniger) is a rodent originally the males. When stressed or from the Andes mountain overcrowded, chinchillas may ranges of Northern Chile. In chew the hair of other the wild, chinchillas live at chinchillas (barbering). high altitudes in rocky, barren research. Degus, on the other hand, are mountainous regions. They diurnal (active during the live in large groups hidden in Both are delightful pets, but day). They are very social and burrows and crevices. They are not suitable for all also do better when housed were originally domesticated households. They are very with other degus. in 1923 for the fur industry but social and interactive, but can be messy and destructive. have now become a popular The average life span of a They are agile, active pet. chinchilla is 10-12 years. creatures and they require Females are larger than The degu (Octodon degus) is significant exercise. males. The average life span a rodent native the western Chinchillas can jump as high of a degu is 5-8 years. Both foothills of the Andes as 6 feet. Being a prey will eat their own feces. This mountains in northern and species, they can be skittish is a natural behavior essential central Chile. Other names for and easily frightened so are to good health because it the degu include brush-tailed not good pets for young provides extra vitamins and or trumpet-tailed rat and the children. nutrients. (See Health Care of Chilean squirrel. In the wild, Chinchillas and Degus) Degus live in large family Chinchillas are primarily crepuscular (most active at groups and dig elaborate burrow systems. Degus came dawn and dusk) and into the domestic market in nocturnal, but can also be the last 50 years or so for use active during the day. They in laboratories for diabetes are naturally a “herd” animal

Veterinary Care In order to maintain the health often be treated more easily examinations should be of your pet, it is important to and effectively. maintained until the age of Routine veterinary determine the presence of any 4 years old for degus and care may help problems. Since they are New pets should be examined 6 years old for Chinchillas. identify potential adept at masking the signs of soon after they enter the At this age, they are underlying health illness, regular examinations home. At this time, the considered senior. Senior problems early are a valuable addition to veterinarian can establish the patients should have a and treat them preventative care. An current health status of the thorough physical exam animal and give successfully. examination by a veterinarian every 6 months. is crucial to keeping your recommendations for chinchilla or degu healthy. husbandry. After this initial Problems detected early can examination, annual Page 2 Basic Care of Chinchillas and Degus Housing Chinchillas and degus are active prevent foot and limb injury the can be a cardboard box, plastic and require a large (at least 4 wire mesh should be small igloo, or a hay tunnel/bungalow. square feet), multi-level cage. (15mmx15mm), and part of the An exercise wheel is important The larger the number of pets, cage floor should be solid. and should be provided since the more space they will require. both species are very active. Enclosures made of wood Bedding materials must be Finally, as playful and intelligent should not be used due to clean, non-toxic, absorbent, creatures, they need items for difficulty in cleaning and relatively dust free and easy to environmental enrichment susceptibility to destructive replace. Acceptable beddings including branches and tunnels. gnawing. The cage can be metal are recycled paper litter, pine Provide something to chew on or plastic. However, many wood shavings, and shredded such as small branches or plastics are also easily paper. Since degus are twigs, untreated wood, or destroyed by gnawing. In burrowing animals, bedding cardboard. addition, the cage should be should be deep and absorbent. free of sharp edges and other Cedar shavings should NEVER Chinchillas are more potential hazards. be used since they have been comfortable and relaxed when associated with causing housed in a quiet spot away Cage flooring for degus should respiratory and liver disease. from noise, excitement and be solid, while chinchillas can be Sawdust should also be avoided. other such stresses. Chinchillas either wire or solid. Solid flooring Remove soiled bedding and and Degus need to be kept in a is recommended over wire stale food daily. Replace all cool, dry environment with flooring. Wire mesh flooring bedding with fresh, clean adequate ventilation. provides a cleaner environment bedding at least weekly. Cages Temperatures should be kept and easier maintenance, but should be thoroughly cleaned between 60-75 degrees and may result in injuries to the feet and sanitized at least weekly. less than 50% humidity. Finally, and hocks. Housing on wire Bleach diluted 1:32 makes an be sure other family pets, such over long periods of time can excellent disinfectant if used as dogs and cats, are not a result in footpad and hock after cleaning and rinsed off well. threat. infections from abrasive rubbing on fecal soiled wire. Broken legs Chinchillas and degus need a are common in chinchillas that spot to hide and feel safe for fall through the wire mesh. To sleeping and resting. A hide box Grooming and Coat Care The beautiful coat of the The maintenance of the coat chinchilla is the original requires regular (2-3 times purpose for the domestication weekly) dust baths. of the chinchilla. “Chinchilla dust" (finely Unfortunately, this coat is powdered volcanic ash) can relatively delicate and easily be purchased at most pet loses its attractive stores. The dust is placed in appearance. In their native a container of sufficient size environment, chinchillas and to allow the chinchilla or degu degus keep themselves clean to roll over in it. Do not leave by rolling in volcanic ash. In it in the cage and keep it high humidity, the coat will clean and free from waste. start to matt and look poorly groomed. Basic Care of Chinchillas and Degus Page 3 Handling similar fashion. Never pick Chinchillas and degus are up or hold a degu by the tail. not very difficult to handle. Degloving (sluffing of the However, they are active and skin) injuries to the tail are move very quickly. Hold the common. The only chinchillas gently under and treatment is surgical around the thorax/chest with amputation of the tail as the one hand and cradle the skin does not grow back. rump with the other hand. Be careful when handling them. Although they rarely bite, If handled roughly “fur slip” they are still capable if “Careful handling is may occur. This is a agitated enough. However, required to reduce the defensive mechanism that chinchillas are more likely to risk of “fur slip” and urinate when annoyed and allows the chinchilla to degloving injury” escape from predators. The do not prefer to be held for hair generally grows back long periods of time. It is without difficulty, but it may recommended to handle take several months. your degu or chinchilla on a regular basis to help tame Degus can be scooped with them and get used to both hands and held in a handling.

Breeding Chinchillas Chinchillas are seasonally weeks old. increases. polyestrous which means they can breed multiple Many chinchillas will go Since males and females times during the breeding through mood swings during will breed even if they are season. Their breeding their pregnancy. Some related, it is important to season is late winter/early become more affectionate, separate the males and spring. However, they can while others can get more females when the babies still breed the rest of year. aggressive. Babies are born are around 2 months old. The estrus cycle is about 28 with fur, teeth, and open ears days and the heat period is 2 and eyes. It is recommended days. Sexual maturity in the to discontinue dust baths male can be as early as 3-4 until 10 days after birth for months old. The female is both mom and babies. sexually mature at around 4 Females also have a months old, but breeding is postpartum estrus which not recommended until she means that the male can is about 7-8 months old. impregnate the female soon Gestation is 110-114 days after birth. The male should with litter sizes ranging from be removed to prevent 1-4 kits (babies). Parturition mating with the female and Litter sizes range from 1-4 (birth) usually occurs in the injury to the young. If the kits…born with fur, teeth, morning hours with up to 45 female becomes pregnant minutes between babies. and open eyes and ears… while still nursing young, the Weaning occurs at 6-8 risk for complications

Page 4 Basic Care of Chinchillas and Degus Breeding Degus While degus can breed spontaneous and regularly returned to the family after anytime throughout the year, occurring estrous cycles that about 7 days as the male their breeding season in the average about 21 days in does help care for the young. wild tends to be late spring length. Gestation is 87-93 Take care to make sure early summer, when the days with litter sizes ranging fighting does not occur when days are longer. This from 1-10 pups. Parturition reintroducing the male. corresponds when food will (birth) usually occurs be plentiful to support overnight with up to 45 Babies are born with fur, pregnancy and the young. minutes between babies. teeth, and open ears and Degus can have multiple Weaning occurs at 6 weeks eyes. They start eating solid litters, however, it is old. food at around 7 days old. recommended to limit them Since males and females will to one litter per year to Female degus also have a breed even if they are prevent the risks of postpartum estrus which related, it is important to complications. means that the male can separate the males and impregnate the female soon females when the babies are Degus are sexually mature after birth. The male should around 2 months old. It is around 3-4 months old. It is be removed after parturition recommended to discontinue recommended to wait until to prevent mating with the dust baths until 10 days after the female is at least 220 female. If the female birth for both mom and All Creatures grams before mating to becomes pregnant while still babies. ensure she is able to support nursing young, the risk for Animal Hospital the pregnancy and care for complications increases. the young. Degus have However, the male can be Quality Medicine in a Caring Environment

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Fax: 217-337-3068 Litter sizes range from 1-10 Inbreeding will occur if males pups…homes need to found and females are not separated E-mail: staff.allcreaturesah for them at 2 months old… @outlook.com

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