Chinchilla Cancer?

[allyson17white]

So I have a friend who has had two chinchillas that have died from cancer (she has a new one now). These chinchillas were not related, not the same age, and she didn't even have them at the same time, but they both got cancer in the jaw. This she knows because she took them to a vet and the vet diagnosed it saying it was probably hereditary, but that isn't really possible. (I own the mother of one of the chinchillas) I'm wondering if it could be something in the cage or room, that's the only constant factor. It's a big cage (metal with tight mesh floors) it has plenty of bird toys, a wheel, a little chewing log, etc. What could have caused this? Has anyone else ever heard of an occurrence like this? Thank you.

 

[ticklechin]

Do you know how it was diagnosed? Cancer in chinchillas is pretty rare.

 

[Narcissus]

Is it possible the vet meant maloculison or root elongation and your friend just misunderstood it to be cancer?

 

[Dreamlite]

I agree it's very rare for a chin to get cancer. How experienced is the vet? Abcess or malo would be much mute likely especially if they were related. I would get the vet notes to review. Were xrays done? Aspirate? Blood work?

 

[aznmexaggie]

Was the vet experienced with chinchillas? Malo or an abscess seems much more likely.