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Abortion or Resorption of Fetuses

A spontaneous abortion (or miscarriage) can occur in chinchillas due to a wide variety of reasons, including stress, trauma, and fever. If left untreated, the condition may lead to infections of the female's uterus and vagina. Hence, a chinchilla that has just undergone a miscarriage must be taken to veterinarian immediately.

Symptoms

Pregnancy loss generally occurs spontaneously and may go unnoticed. The most common signs of the condition being a bloody or purulent vaginal discharge and/or staining near the animal's vagina. (In prolonged cases, the discharge may have a foul odor.) It may also have swelling in the vaginal area, sudden weight loss, and an expelled fetus may be found.

Causes

• Fever
• Stress
• Trauma
• Improper handling
• Poor nutrition
• Bacterial infection
• Interruption of the blood supply to the uterus

In addition, if the female chinchilla is suddenly scared or startled during birthing time it may undergo an abortion.

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will make a diagnosis based on the clinical signs observed. Otherwise, an X-ray of the female chinchilla's uterus is also done at times.