Confused about chinchilla condition

[BoSs_391]

my chinchilla may have a problem, underneath his chin and around his front legs he has a bit of fur loss and some of it is matted together, plus his skin is a bit clammy, i don't know if its serious, so if you could help, I'd appreciate it

[Youkey Kuwahara, D.V.M.]

I was curious how often you allow your chinchilla to bathe in their dust bath?  The dust baths really helps maintain their coats and keeps them healthy.  You need to make sure to clean and change out their bath dust, as they tend to poop in there.  One of my chinchillas had so much fun rolling around in that dust that he refused to come out.  He practically lived in it; until I purchased a dust bath unit with a lid that I could open and close.

If your chinchilla has access to a bath but is not using it, then something is up.  Since you say that your chinchilla is damp and has matting under the chin, I highly recommend that you seek out some professional help.  They can give him a physical exam to make sure that he doesn't have anything obstructed in his mouth, have teeth issues, or other underlying health problems.  A chinchilla with a tooth abscess can be in so much misery that he may rub away his fur near his mouth and also on the arms.  If there is something foreign stuck in there, they can slobber and cause their hair to matt together.  An unhealthy pet will not keep their fur clean and dry.  Please seek out either a veterinary professional familiar with chinchillas or a chinchilla breeder.

Good Luck,
Dr. Youkey

[BoSs_391]

vet*

[BoSs_391]

ignore the last date pet examined by pet, never been to vet