Changes

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Most chinchilla require a sand-bathing tray for their grooming processes called dusting.

Most chinchilla require a sand-bathing tray for grooming or 'dusting'.

==Diseases==

==Diseases==

Chinchillas that are suffering a some form of disease will often exhibit clinical signs such as laboured breathing, poor quality hair coat, weight loss, hunched posture or an abnormal gait. Lethargy and/or unresponsiveness are also common findings in the sick animal. Therefore these clinical signs will often represent the precursor to more advanced disease or pathology.

Chinchillas suffering some form of disease will often exhibit clinical signs such as laboured breathing, poor quality hair coat, weight loss, hunched posture or an abnormal gait. Lethargy and/or unresponsiveness are also common findings in the sick animal. Therefore these clinical signs will often represent the precursor to more advanced disease or pathology.

==Nervous System==

==Nervous System==

Gross pathology may show eyes that have visible oedema, a hyperaemic conjunctiva and either a serous or purulent ocular discharge.

Gross pathology may show eyes that have visible oedema, a hyperaemic conjunctiva and either a serous or purulent ocular discharge.

===Otitis Media===

===Otitis Media===

Otitis media is common in younger animals and if often a secondary infection to a respiratory infection or other trauma. Depending on the severity and location of the infection neurological clinical signs may be apparent which include ataxia, circling or rolling.

Otitis media is common in younger animals and is often a secondary infection to a respiratory infection or other trauma. Depending on the severity and location of the infection neurological clinical signs may be apparent which include ataxia, circling or rolling.

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Macroscopic pathology may include considerable scar tissue that can result in blockage of the ear canal. Where this occurs cerumen and debris are often trapped inside. The tympanic membrane is often thickened. The ear canal and tympanic membrane will be acutely inflammed. This inflammation may progress to the inner ear and/or meninges.

Macroscopic pathology may include considerable scar tissue that can result in blockage of the ear canal. Where this occurs cerumen and debris are often trapped inside. The tympanic membrane is often thickened. The ear canal and tympanic membrane will be acutely inflammed. This inflammation may progress to the inner ear and/or meninges.

===''Baylisascaris procyonis'' Infection===

===''Baylisascaris procyonis'' Infection===

This nervous system disease is also referred to as 'Cerebral Nematodiasis'. ''B. procyonis'' is a roundworm commonly found in raccoons and transmission can occur following ingestion of feed contaminated by raccoon faeces. Chinchillas infected with the disease may exhibit a number of clinical signs including recumbancy, paralysis, ataxia, incoordination, head tilt, coma and death.  

This nervous system disease is also referred to as 'Cerebral Nematodiasis'. ''B. procyonis'' is a roundworm commonly found in raccoons and transmission can occur following ingestion of feed contaminated by raccoon faeces. Chinchillas infected with the disease may exhibit a number of clinical signs including recumbancy, paralysis, ataxia, incoordination, head tilt, coma and death.