Merck Veterinary Manual - Chinchillas - Nervous System Diseases

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alpayton

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Copied from http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/in.../bc/171510.htm

Baylisascaris procyonis Infection (Cerebral Nematodiasis):
B procyonis , a roundworm of raccoons, may cause cerebral nematodiasis in infected chinchillas. Transmission occurs following ingestion of feed contaminated with raccoon feces. Infected chinchillas may exhibit a variety of CNS signs, including ataxia, incoordination, head tilt, tumbling, paralysis, recumbency, coma, and death. Histopathology is diagnostic and characterized by meningitis, multifocal necrosis, and sections of ascarid larvae throughout the midbrain, medulla, and cerebellum. Treatment is ineffective. Prevention includes appropriate husbandry and adequate sanitation practices. B procyonis is potentially zoonotic and causes a fatal encephalopathy in humans.

Protozoa:
Toxoplasma gondii and Frenkelia spp are protozoa associated with necrotic meningoencephalitis in chinchillas. Infections are rare and clinical signs may include incoordination, lethargy, depression, anorexia, weight loss, dyspnea, cyanosis, and purulent nasal discharge. Gross lesions include hemorrhagic lungs and enlarged spleen and lymph nodes. Microscopically, Toxoplasma pseudocysts or bradyzoites may be observed in lungs, liver, intestine, pancreas, myocardium, or brain. Tachyzoites are found in blood and lymphatic fluids. Diagnosis is accomplished by serology or demonstrating cysts with Giemsa- or periodic acid-Schiff-stained tissue sections. Active infections can be treated with sulfonamide antibiotics but these are not effective against the encysted stage of toxoplasmosis.

Herpesvirus 1 Infection:
Spontaneous human herpesvirus 1 infection has been reported in chinchillas. Clinical signs include conjunctivitis and various neurologic signs, including seizures, disorientation, recumbency, and apathy, progressing to death. Histologic lesions include nonsuppurative meningitis, polioencephalitis with neuronal necrosis and intranuclear inclusion bodies affecting primarily the brain stem and cerebral cortex, ulcerative keratitis, uveitis, retinitis, retinal degeneration, optical neuritis, and purulent rhinitis. Diagnosis is based on clinical signs and demonstrating the lesions via immunohistochemistry. Treatment is not likely to be effective and affected animals should be removed from breeding colonies. Chinchillas may serve as a temporary reservoir for human infections.

Thiamine Deficiency:
Required for normal carbohydrate metabolism and protein synthesis, thiamine or vitamin B1 deficiency causes reversible damage to peripheral motor nerves. Affected chinchillas may show neurologic signs such as trembling, circling, convulsions, or paralysis. Treatment consists of IM injections of thiamine or B-complex vitamins. Natural thiamine sources are found in leafy vegetables, high-quality hay, and wheatgerm meal, or supplements can be added to the diet (1 mg thiamine/kg feed).
 
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