Currently the world of pets is very diverse and more and more people decide to take in an animal as a pet that could previously be considered atypical, such as iguanas, ferrets and large variety of rodents.
The domestic chinchilla belongs to the group of rodents and as is often the case with these animals, the adaptation period can be difficult, however, once they have become accustomed to their new environment, they are very affectionate pets and sociable that require daily attention from their owners.
Obviously the chinchilla's body is susceptible to contracting a wide variety of diseases and it is important to recognize certain signs in order to treat them as soon as possible, today we explain how to know if your chinchilla has fungus.
Fungal infection in chinchillas
The presence of fungus in a chinchilla is also known as ringworm, dermatophytosis or dermatomycosis. In conditions of high temperature and humidity, fungal infection can be a common problem for our chinchilla, even more so if the state of he alth is not optimal or if the immune system suffers from some deficiency.
Chinchillas are especially sensitive to the fungus Trichophyton mentagrophytes and to species belonging to the genus Microsporum, we must know that once the infection has occurred it is a disease that is difficult to cure, but with adequate treatment our Chinchilla will regain its he alth and will once again have a he althy coat.
Symptoms of fungi in chinchillas
To know if our chinchilla is suffering from a fungal infection, it is important to observe it to notice the symptoms that indicate this type of pathology, which are the following:
- Body areas without hair
- Dry skin with scales
- Circular hives
- Skin that is reddish and shiny in appearance
- Signs of irritation and itching
The most affected areas are usually the snout, the legs and the areas around the eyes and ears, however, if the infection is not controlled it can spread to other areas, causing severe injuries.
If we observe some of the above symptoms in our chinchilla, it is important to urgently go to the vet to verify the diagnosis and guide a treatment.
Diagnosis and treatment of ringworm in chinchillas
The veterinarian will perform a culture of the chinchilla's hair or use a special type of light to verify the presence of fungi and the species causing the infection, if the diagnosis is confirmed, he will prescribe a treatment.
Treatment of fungi in chinchillas is usually long, since it is necessary to completely eradicate the infection and the veterinarian may recommend one or several of the following therapeutic measures:
- Medicated sand baths
- Topical antifungal medications
- Oral antifungal medications
The antifungal active ingredients that are usually used are clotrimazole and miconazole nitrate, although only the veterinarian is qualified to recommend a certain treatment.
Prevent the spread of fungi
Chinchillas affected by fungus can spread the disease to other animals and also to humans, it is very important to prevent any type of transmission and it is also easy to achieve if you follow the following tips:
- The chinchilla should not be in contact with he althy animals
- The sand must be removed after each bath
- No he althy animal can have contact with the infected chinchilla sand
- The cage, feeder, drinker and any accessory that comes into contact with the animal must be thoroughly disinfected
- It is recommended to use gloves to handle the chinchilla and wash your hands after each handling
Prevent fungi in chinchillas
There is no completely effective measure to prevent fungi in chinchillas, but the following recommendations will allow us to keep our pet in good he alth and minimize the risks of a possible infection:
- Do not bathe your chinchilla with water
- Do not place your chinchilla's cage in damp places
- You must maintain optimal hygiene in the chinchilla's space
- Your chinchilla should take a sand bath regularly to remove moisture from its fur
- Remove stressors from your environment
- Procure him a balanced diet adapted to his needs
