Chinchillas have fur for a reason. In the wild they live in the Andes mountains where it gets cold. Their fur is what keeps them warm. However, domestic chinchillas are prone to over-heating since most people's homes are much warmer than the Andes.
The ambient temperature where chinchillas are kept shouldn't rise above 80 degrees. But temperature is not the only consideration as humidity also plays a role. A good rule of thumb is to add the temperature and the relative humidity together. If this number exceeds 150, you should take action to reduce both.
Failing to maintain a proper temperature can result in heatstroke. This is a dangerous situation and one that can be fatal. Warning signs include panting and lying down stretched out on one side.
If your chinchilla is suffering from heatstroke you should seek the attention of a vet. However, to bring the chinchilla's body temperature down consider offering some cool water to drink, wrapping a cold wet towel around the body, or submerging the chinchilla in cool (not freezing) water. As you undoubtedly know, getting a chinchilla wet is generally a bad idea, but heatstroke is a particularly dangerous situation that needs immediate attention.
Sources:
Bettina's
A New Owner's Guide to Chinchillas by Audrey Pavia
Entries (RSS)
August 17th, 2006 at 3:08 pm
Joyce,
Chinchillas can suffer many ailments. It does sound like you need to get to a vet though. We're not really qualified to make medical diagnoses. We really hope that things work out for the better for you and your chinchilla.
August 17th, 2006 at 2:25 pm
Is it possible for a chin to get a kind of cancer? My chin looks as if he is getting a growth on his neck. Unfortunately, my four year old let him out of the cage and I am worried he may have even gotten in to the wall and some old mouse poison or something. I have a call in to the vet, but am really worried. He is a part of our family and the vet says he could have to be put to sleep. Thanks.
August 9th, 2006 at 10:15 am
No it wasn't in place of food and thank you. Also if anyone knows a good home with someone that KNOWS about chinchillas it would help too since I don't have the funds to take care of her properly. Thanks, Katherine.
August 9th, 2006 at 7:42 am
Katherine,
Pesticide-free grass shouldn't do your chinchilla any harm. However, it doesn't have the right nutrients to keep your chinchilla healthy. So if the grass is eaten in place of, rather than in addition to the proper hay/pellets then it won't be so good.
August 9th, 2006 at 2:22 am
I'm just wondering if chinchillas can eat grass. I live in colorado and recently acquired a chinchilla from someone that didn't want it (they had two loud huskies).
I'm actually currently looking for a good home for her but at least here she is safe and in the quiet. She loves running around my office but is only out when I'm in the room so she doesn't get a hold of the chewing items
Any help here would be highly appreciated. Thank you, Katherine.