Bald Chinchilla Expert Required

Re: Bald Chinchilla Expert Required

Simon Neuhoff — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 12:34:44 GMT

[quote user="Peter Ding"]

Are you sure you are bald Michael?

[/quote]

I was going to say - I'm bald but not a chinchilla expert! ;-)

Re: Bald Chinchilla Expert Required

Sean Dunne — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:38:36 GMT

Thanks a mil , lots to go on there

Re: Bald Chinchilla Expert Required

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:55:51 GMT

I would look for a self-inflicted problem first as well, over grooming due to stress, nest making even if the youngster is still with it. Its unlikely to be ringworm if the youngster is unaffected. Have you taken a skin scrape for external parasites? - again youngster would be affected though, but most important for elimination and saving of egg on face! What's the diet like - high enough in fibre? Can the owners observe if she is pulling her hair out? Is the chinchilla pruritic? If it's dermatophytosis scratching is more likely a symptom than hair pulling.

In answer to the treatment question in the event it is a dermatophytosis, I would use itraconazole (Itrafungol) solution, its worked well in small furries for me before, dose around 10-20mg/kg until clear but at least 2 weeks. Its off-licence of course so get a form signed but you don't have too many choices, I'd forget the athletes foot powder idea and wait.

Re: Bald Chinchilla Expert Required

Peter Ding — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:14:37 GMT

...mind you it could be stress and handling; as like as not the chinchilla's problem!

Re: Bald Chinchilla Expert Required

Peter Ding — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:12:43 GMT

Are you sure you are bald Michael?

Re: Bald Chinchilla Expert Required

Michael Woodhouse — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 23:08:47 GMT

In my reluctant dermatology role I have found skin biopsy to be the fastest way to an accurate diagnosis?

Never done one on a rodent.........