Chinchilla... has dry skin read for more info.

Question

Hello, I work at a pet store and our chinchilla we had just got 3 weeks ago is now is our sick room. He has dry cracked skin around his eyes, nose and right ear. Now he is going to the vet on friday but I'm worried because yesterday I fed him and when I checked him before close he still hadn't eaten anything. Like I said he goes to the vet friday, So is there anything you can suggest OR has this happened to you at all??? ANY ADVICE WOULD BE NICE! Thank you.

Answer 1

take a damp paper towel and dab it around his eyes and where his dry skin is then give him a dust bath. and feed him something he will eat like freeze dried apples mixed with his food for a little while. he should eat that then slowly cut back on the freeze dried apples. if he starts to pull out his hair keep him company and check his p**p to make sure it is normal color cause if it has any red dots really be careful and spoil him with his favorite food.

Answer 2

sound like the poor thing may have a fungal infection, possibly ringworm. But it could also be a URI or malocclusion issue. He needs to eat... if they stop eating and drinking you will have a whole other issue to deal.  

Answer 3

I had a chinchilla and they are really hard to care for... i suggest taking vaseline and putting it around its eyes... it won't hurt at all it will hold in the moisture till it gets to the vet... as far as it eating... give it raisins... if it turns this down it seriously can't wait till friday to go to the vet... it will dye going five days with no food.. chinchillas love raisins so if it won't tak this you better get it to the vet today!

Answer 4

It sounds like you are dealing with a fungus. Clean out the dust bath house with bleach then fill it daily with fresh dust and add a tablespoon of foot powder. But this really should not be causing him not to eat. He could have a URI or even a digestive issue. Start giving him bene bac gel. They might carry it at the pet store you work at otherwise I know they sell it at petco or petsmart. Also soak a high quality chinchilla pellet diet  in hot water. This will break the pellets down so that you can feed him through a syringe. If he wont eat that then get some banana or apple baby food and syringe feed him with that. It is EXTREMELY important that you get something in his stomach and keep him hydrated. You may also want to check his ears, are they hot if so he is most likely running a fever and needs to be check out by a vet sooner. Also keep him away from any other animals as fungus infections are contagious. And make sure you wash your hand after touching him because you could also get it. Good Luck I hope this helps!