Chinchillas are cute, cuddly and relatively easy to care for as a pet. However, this doesnג€™t mean that they can be taken lightly. If you have decided to add a chinchilla as an exotic pet in your household, then you should know that these animals thrive on attention. They need a minimum of two hours of daily interaction with their owners or other family members. Therefore, it is crucial that you get your chinchilla checked by a vet at least once every six months.
Because chinchillas are arboreal rodents, regular check-ups are important to keep them healthy and prevent health problems from developing. Here is everything you need to know about your chinchilla’s regular check-ups and how they can help them stay healthy as an exotic pet:
Do chinchillas need vet check ups?
Chinchillas do need regular vet check-ups, but they donג€™t necessarily need to be done every six months. You should keep in mind that there are two different types of chinchilla veterinarians: veterinarians specifically trained to care for chinchillas and those that do not specialize in them. They may or may not know how to perform a complete medical examination on your pet, but you can ask them about any areas of concern before you leave your chinchilla at the vets office.
If you decide to take your chinchilla to the vet for a routine check-up, then it is important that you have all of the information for the vetג€™s records so that they can track their health over time and make adjustments if necessary. This will also help with identifying possible health problems.
Call ahead and make an appointment; otherwise, you run the risk of being seen as a nuisance because they might be busy with other animals in urgent need of attention during their regular hours.
Is a chinchilla considered an exotic pet?
Chinchillas are commonly considered to be an exotic pet, but they are not the only type of rodent that is considered one. The American Veterinary Medical Association defines exotic pets as any mammal which is not a dog, cat or ferret.
In addition to chinchillas, others types of rodents that are considered exotic pets include rats, hamsters, gerbils and guinea pigs.
Can you take a chinchilla to a normal vet?
No, chinchillas should be taken to a specialist vet. This is because they are related in many ways to rodents, which means they are susceptible to many of the same diseases and illnesses that rodents get.
Do chinchillas need shots from the vet?
Chinchillas are relatively hardy animals, but they do have a few health concerns. They should be given a shot of antibiotics every six months to prevent respiratory infections and other diseases that can develop if they don’t receive proper care. If your chinchilla is already showing signs of health problems, then you may want to take them in sooner for a check-up.
Some animals also need shots from the vet for rabies, distemper or parvo virus prevention. These shots will protect your pet from getting sick and dying from these diseases.
