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==Physiology==

==Physiology==

Most laboratory chinchilla are provided with a variety of components in their diet which includes pellets and hay. Although chinchillas eat large volumes of hay they do not drink a proportionate volume of water and chinchillas are known to survive on remarkably small amounts of water.

Chinchilla should be provided with a variety of components in their diet including mainly hay and pellets. Although chinchillas eat large volumes of hay they do not drink a proportionate volume of water and chinchillas are known to survive on remarkably small amounts of water. Chinchillas have very dry faeces and only produce small volumes of urine with very little odour. The laboratory chinchilla requires room temperature (18-24C) and approximately 14hrs of daylight/artificial light to be optimal.

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Chinchillas have very dry faeces and only produce very small volumes of urine with very little odour. The chinchilla requires room temperature (18-24C) and approximately 14hrs of daylight or artificial light if in labs, is optimal.

Within a laboratory environment chinchillas are not prolific breeders and there can be difficulty in maintaining breeding stocks. Puberty is not usually reached until approximately 8 months old and they have long oestrous cycles of 41 days, with 2 to 3 days of oestrous. The length of gestation for a chinchilla is 111 days and the range of litter sizes varies between 1 to 6 with 1 or 2 'kits' most common. Larger sized litters may result in fatal fighting amongst the kits.

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Kits are usually weaned at between 6 to 8 weeks and at this age it is possible to pass these young onto another lactating mother without any rejection issues.  Chinchillas have a post-partum oestrous and therefore it is possible to produce two litters in a breeding season which is between November to May, although the male is fertile throughout the year.

Kits are usually weaned at between 6 to 8 weeks and at this age it is possible to pass these young onto another lactating mother without any commonly encountered rejection issues.  Chinchillas have a post-partum oestrous ans therefore it is possible to produce two litters in a breeding season which is between November to May, although the male is fertile throughout the year.

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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.

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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.