Health
Seizures.
Fits or seizures can occur as a result of metabolic
imbalances, toxicity, trauma or epilepsy.
Metabolic causes include low calcium, low thiamine and low blood sugar.
· low calcium levels are seen in females during lactation (milk production), during a first pregnancy, or in subsequent pregnancies if she has been bred repeatedly without a break. Treatment is best provided by your vet with a calcium solution (calcium gluconate) given by intraperitoneal injection. Females should be given calcium supplementation during pregnancy, either in the form of calcium blocks, or tablets containing calcium and vitamin D (Pet Cal) that are available for dogs can be powdered into their food. The supplementary food I describe in the section with the same heading also describes a suitable calcium supplement for pregnant females. Tumms, which are tablets designed for use by humans to aid indigestion, can also be given as they contain calcium carbonate.
· thiamine seizures are often seen before eating. Tremors, staggering, circling and shaking usually precede seizures. Treatment is by multivitamin B injection. A vitamin supplement can be added to drinking water.
· hypoglycaemia is rare in chinchillas, but can occur after a period of extreme exercise. After a period of activity the chinchilla collapses. Treatment is the immediate administration of an oral glucose solution. Care must be taken during exercise outside the cage. If the chin is not used to such exertion then it will push it's body to the limits of it's stamina.
Epilepsy has been recorded in chins, and may be hereditary, so affected animals should not be bred from.