Merck Veterinary Manual - Chinchillas - Multisystemic Diseases

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Septicemia:
Multisystemic infections may be secondary to untreated bacterial gastroenteritis ( Streptococcus spp , Enterococcus spp , Pasteurella multocida , Klebsiella pneumoniae , and Actinomyces necrophorum ), although some nonenteric bacteria have also been isolated. Animals may be asymptomatic and die suddenly or develop nonspecific signs of anorexia, lethargy, rough hair coats, and diarrhea. At necropsy, septicemic organs are diffusely congested and may contain bacterial emboli. Diagnosis is based on isolation of bacteria in blood or affected organs. Treatment includes appropriate antibiotics and general supportive care.

Heat Stress:
Chinchillas are highly susceptible to sudden changes in their environment, especially temperatures >80°F. Clinical signs include initial restlessness, shallow rapid respiration, hypersalivation, weakness, hyperthermia, coma, and death. Gross lesions include markedly congested lungs. To treat, the animal should be cooled down slowly and carefully via cool water baths or alcohol sprays and provided with general supportive care such as parenteral fluids and corticosteroids.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection:
Commonly found in drinking water and the cage environment, P aeruginosa may cause opportunistic infections secondary to stress. Transmission occurs by aerosol, direct contact, and fecal-oral routes. Neonatal infection may result from nursing an infected dam. Clinical signs include anorexia, depression, diarrhea or constipation, corneal or oral ulcers, intradermal pustules, conjunctivitis, genital swellings, mastitis, abortion, infertility, and acute death. Gross lesions may be seen in multiple organs with abscesses, generalized lymphadenopathy, and multifocal necrosis. Diagnosis is based on isolation and identification of the bacteria; treatment includes appropriate antibiotics. To prevent infection, general animal husbandry and sanitation and disinfection practices should be improved. Vaccines have been developed for colony animals raised for fur.

Listeria monocytogenes Infection:

L monocytogenes is often associated with poor sanitation and contaminated feedstuffs or drinking water and occurs mostly in colony animals raised for fur. Transmission is by the fecal-oral route. While this environmental bacterium can infect many species of animals and humans, chinchillas are highly susceptible. Systemic infection may include visceral and encephalitic forms. Clinical signs, if present, include anorexia, depression, weight loss, constipation or diarrhea, and abdominal pain. With CNS involvement, additional signs include droopy ears, torticollis, ataxia, circling, and convulsions progressing to death. Gross lesions include fibrinous peritonitis, interstitial pneumonia, and widespread multifocal miliary necrosis. Any organ may be affected. The classic histologic lesions include monocytic perivascular cuffing in brain sections. Diagnosis is based on bacterial isolation. Treatment of clinically ill chinchillas is not effective. Affected colony animals should be removed and attention given to cleaning the environment, water, and diet. Chinchillas not exhibiting clinical signs can be inoculated with autogenous bacterins or treated with prophylactic antibiotics, such as chloramphenicol or oxytetracycline.

Yersinia spp Infection:
Both Y pseudotuberculosis and Y enterocolitica are gram-negative bacteria frequently isolated from chinchillas. Exposure to asymptomatic wild rodents is the most likely source of contamination. Transmission is both horizontal (fecal-oral) and vertical (transplacental and milkborne). Infections may be asymptomatic or, in epizootics, cause high morbidity and mortality with lethargy, depression, anorexia, weight loss, constipation or diarrhea, and sudden death. With Y pseudotuberculosis , granulomatous lesions are found primarily in the liver, spleen, and lungs. Y enterocolitica causes similar lesions in the liver, spleen, intestines, lymph nodes, kidneys, and lungs. Diagnosis is based on bacterial isolation. Treatment of clinically ill chinchillas is not effective. Affected colony animals should be removed and attention given to cleaning the environment, water, and diet. Chinchillas not exhibiting clinical signs can be inoculated with autogenous bacterins or treated with prophylactic tetracycline.
 
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