Ketosis in a chinchilla

RE: Ketosis in a chinchilla

Marie Kubiak — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 19:00:52 GMT

Probably a combination stress and pain - the classic hypoglycaemia seen in carnivores doesn't seem to occur reliably in herbivores.

Biggest factor for prognosis is early presentation, so that nutritional support and management of primary disease can be started before the animal decompensates.

Marie

RE: Ketosis in a chinchilla

Robin Grimmer — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 08:58:29 GMT

Thanks Marie, I was hoping you would see this. So the high blood glucose was caused by stress, like rabbits (where it can be used to indicate whether an obstruction is surgical)? I think he was too far gone when I saw him, but could anything have been done to save him earlier? Perhaps earlier nutritional support?

RE: Ketosis in a chinchilla

Marie Kubiak — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 07:22:03 GMT

Hepatic lipidosis can develop as early as 24hrs into anorexia in small herbivores so the most likely cause of the ketosis is the anorexia. It may be as simple as dental disease developed, not picked up by owner quickly and hepatic lipidosis results. A fat chinchilla, poor diet or pre-existing metabolic derangements will accelerate the process.

Dental changes due to anorexia are rare but tend to be mild (subtle medial pointing) if they do occur and usually resolve once attrition resumes. Acquired dental disease with strong genetic predisposition is very common in chinchillas.

Marie