Merck Veterinary Manual - Chinchillas - Disease Treatment & Prevention

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alpayton

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Copied from http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/in.../bc/171503.htm

Disease Treatment & Prevention:
Sick chinchillas are easily stressed and should be handled minimally. Antibiotics are not well tolerated due to adverse changes in GI flora. For drug or therapeutic administration in chinchillas, PO, SC, IM, IV, and IP routes are used. Oral medications or fluids can be administered with a small syringe or eyedropper, carefully positioned at the diastoma. If the animal is able to eat, medications can be mixed with food or water. A stomach tube passed through a speculum may be necessary to directly deposit medications in the stomach. Some medicines can be administered rectally. The flank and interscapular regions are common sites for SC injections, which can also be given in the inner thigh area to minimize potential pelt damage. The large thigh muscles are preferred sites for IM injections and should be limited to volumes <0.3 mL, using a 23-gauge or smaller needle. Femoral, cephalic, and lateral saphenous veins are the best sites for IV injection and blood collection. Dehydration is evidenced by dry stools, dark urine, and skin tenting. Fluid therapy should be isotonic and selected according to the animal’s condition. Anorectic animals may require force feeding by gavage.
 
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