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Contents of the chinchilla first aid box.
I am often asked what would be handy to have in a box kept near at hand for first aid or medication for chinchillas. I have decided to put together a page with some basic contents. I must say here if not sure what you are doing consult a vet. Vet services UK
For cuts and general wound cleaning and pain relief.
- A weak solution of dettol or Savlon or TCPor similar topical disinfectant such as hibiscrub (from the vetenerary shop)as used for human wound washing (Remember these must never be used straight from bottle. Always dilute as instructed on bottle)failing that a common standby is saline water
- Sterile water for washing and bathing eyes and for cuts and any bites which they may have from fighting. Also for eyes, a small bottle of natural tears(chemist/drug store)for quick remedy for flooding eye to remove a particle of sand from eye or bathing the eye if crusts on eyelids.
- A general all round eye lotion which has an anitbacterial agent in it to fight infection.
- Cotton swabs or buds.
- Calpol 6+ as a pain relief. (at a chemist, children's medication) A chinchilla weighing 500grams will need 1ml by syringe, please measure carefully in a marked syringe. A chinchilla who weighs 1kilo (1000g) would need more, 2ml of Calpol measured and administered in a syringe. Give night and morning only and do not continue after five days.
- The vet may subscribe Metacalm as an antinflammitory medication for pain always use as vet subscribed do not be tempted to give an extra drop
- Intrasite gel although not neccessary is handy if there is any infection as in ulcerated wound or any wounds which has pus needing drained. This of course may be supplied by the vet after lancing an infected wound. When a site had been lanced and has to be kept open remember to leave out the sand bath.
- Paper stitches. buy at chemist, buy the gauze ones, not the rubbery ones. Sold in small sachets with strips of five or six. Fur must be trimmed back as far as possible with an electric razor wiped with sterile swab or with round tipped scissors also sterile, before drawing a cut together. I would strongly recommened a vet visit for an inexperienced owner. vet list UK
- Vaseline (petrolium jelly) as a help for minor bites and scratches if no Savlon cream Handy. Also a barrier for a lactating mum's teats if red and sore.
Poorly eating or needing building up a bit.
- Enervite: You may find this in big pet shops, look in the dog section. feed it straight from the tube. a small peasized amount at regular intervals through the day. make sure a chincfilla is drinking water. chins dehydrate very quickly. if it isnt feed it water or a mix of water and dissolved enervite with a dropper or syringe. enervite is a great boost to give chinchillas that needed extra to help it recover from an illness.
- Vitamin B12 a good source of B12 is found in Cytacon bought at chemist/drugstore. 1ml per day for 1 or 2 days only will improve appetite in a poorly chinchillas.
- Nutrical or a similar product, (see enervite above)stocked by many pet stores is good supplement. It is especially good for pregnant females, young weak kits and chinchillas failing to thrive, put on weight or are generally ill or run down. It comes in a tube, like toothpaste, and can be given right out of the tube, although I advise sqeezing some onto the tip of a spoon or dropper. It is sweet and they really love it. However with an ill chinchilla it often means you have to coax them to take it. After the first taste it is usually then lapped up quickly.
- Critical care. If by chance your vet/petstore does not stock it? it may be bought here this site in America also shows a list of retail outlets in UK and other areas. Just click to find retail outlets.
- LINK TO CRITICAL CARE then order from that stockist.
- Apple vinegar/cidar vinegar two drops in a 250ml bottle will help perk up appetite.
- A veterenary collar as seen below. Not all vets have anything suitable for a chinchilla.
Vitamin deficiency for health, immune system and wound healing.
- Vitamin C. I have researched quite a bit and all the experts seem to agree that this has no bearing on teeth, fur or general health. However, in my opinion it does no harm to give some occassionally. The chinchillas seem to like it too. whether this helps my chinchillas stay healthy or not is debatable. However in research it is shown to prevent cold in humans and is also thought to be a powerful anti-oxidant. I would be interested to hear from any other chinchilla owner who thinks along these lines too. Vitamin C tablets 200mg may be bought from a drug store/chemist. once a week. I would also recommend this for helping wound recovery.
- Probiotic powder may be bought at the vets. this keep the gut flora in a suitable natural balance if on antibiotics. Don't give at same time as antibiotics. wait a few hours. If you don't have any and cant get to a vet. try
- Probiotic yogurt although unable to be kept in the box is a valuable medication to have in the fridge. It may also be bough in powder form from vet practice. It is helpful when a chinchilla is undergoing antibiotic treatment by helping to rebalance the intestinal flora much the same as it does for humans. Must not be givien at same time as the antibiotic though. wait a few hours. A plus factor of probiotic is it is also nutritional too. Another two mentionable probiotic are Supreme Science Recovery and Critical care. If by chance your vet/petstore does not stock it? it may be bought here at this site in America also shows a list of retail outlets in UK and other areas. Just click to find retail outlets. LINK TO CRITICAL CARE then order from that stockist.
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