Bone Fractures in Chinchillas

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Treatment

It is better to take your pet chinchilla immediately to your veterinarian if you suspect it has fractured a bone. There, they will reduce the fracture and then apply a bandage to the affected area in order to restrain its movement. If the chinchilla has an open wound, it will be properly dressed and cleansed with antiseptics; antibiotics are frequently prescribed to prevent infections. Your veterinarian might also want to prescribe some vitamin and mineral supplements to your pet chinchilla to help it recover more quickly.

Living and Management

Fractures typically begin to heal between 7 to 10 days. To help in the recovery, place your chinchilla in a smaller cage or living area and restrict its movements. Give the chinchilla sufficient rest and a well-balanced, calcium-rich diet, which helps with the new bone formation. And follow you veterinarian's instructions as to the proper dosage of medication and oral supplements.

Prevention

To prevent potential limb injuries, caging should have solid floors or mesh openings no wider than one-half by one-half inches (15 by 15 millimeters). Providing a well-balanced, nutritional diet will also help prevent fractures occurring due to nutritional disorders.