Merck Veterinary Manual - Chinchillas - Respiratory Diseases

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alpayton

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Copied from http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/in.../bc/171504.htm

Choke:
Chinchilla anatomy precludes the ability to vomit; choking may be observed when the entrance to the trachea is occluded by a large piece of food or bedding or in postpartum females that eat their placentas. Aspiration of tiny particles from the foreign body can irritate the lower respiratory tract and precipitate a suffocating, edematous response leading to drooling, retching, coughing, and dyspnea as the chinchilla attempts to dislodge the foreign body. If untreated, choking may lead to asphyxiation and death.

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections:
Humid, crowded, and poorly ventilated housing conditions may contribute to an increased incidence of respiratory disease in chinchillas. Bacterial infections of nasal sinuses and mucous membranes are seen more often in young or stressed chinchillas. Streptococcus spp , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Pasteurella spp , and Bordetella spp may act as primary or opportunistic pathogens. Clinical signs include sneezing, nasal discharge, and conjunctivitis. In acute cases, animals die suddenly. Untreated animals may progress to pneumonia (see below) or death. Grossly, sinus cavities are necrotic and filled with mucopurulent debris, and infection may extend to the brain. Diagnosis is based on clinical signs and culture and isolation of the organism. Treatment includes appropriate ocular and systemic antibiotics and general supportive therapy, including gently soaking the nose and eyes with warm water compresses and removing any crusts. Prevention includes keeping young chinchillas in a warm and draft-free environment, maintaining good husbandry and sanitation, and separation of affected or carrier animals.

Pneumonia:
Pneumonia, with inflammation of the lung parenchyma and airways, is usually associated with bacterial infection. Bordetella spp , Streptococcus spp , and Pasteurella spp have been isolated, sometimes concurrently. Housing in cold, damp environments may lead to lowered resistance. Histoplasma capsulatum , a fungus found in contaminated hay, has also been reported in chinchillas. Clinical signs of respiratory distress include mucopurulent nasal discharge, sneezing, and labored breathing. Infection may be accompanied by conjunctivitis, fever, weight loss, lethargy, depression, or anorexia. Auscultation reveals wheezing sounds across the entire lung field. Grossly, lesions may range from a focal bronchopneumonia involving only a small area of 1 lobe to complete consolidation; small amounts of purulent debris can be expressed from the bronchioles on cut surface. Sudden death with sepsis may occur in epizootic outbreaks. Diagnosis is based on clinical signs, pneumonic lesions observed at necropsy, and isolation of the causative organism from nasal or conjunctival washes. Treatment is usually not effective in severe cases with total consolidation of the lungs, but antibiotics may be attempted in focal bronchopneumonia. In addition, supportive therapy includes parenteral fluids; warm, dry housing; and stress reduction. Prevention and control in colonies depend on maintenance of good husbandry and sanitation and separation of affected or carrier animals.
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