chronic dry skin?

[Brittany]

Is there anything that can be done for chronic dry skin? Pythagoras' feet and ears are always dry and flaky looking. We apply bagbalm atleast once a week, and while this helps to manage it, it doesn't cure it. I'm just concerned about him getting an infection and developing bumble foot later in life. He gets a bath about twice a week and is kept in acceptable temperature and humidity levels. It doesn't appear to bother him, he's not overly itchy.

Any thoughts?

 

[Sycamore Chins]

Is there any redness or warmth associated with the dryness on his feet? If not, I wouldn't worry about it too much. We have a few that have that dry scaliness, but haven't developed anything from it.

 

[bchins]

Have you tried putting Desenex in his dust? That is usually used to treat fungus. I have a recent owner surrender of 3 chinchillas, and the lady said her daughters had given them actual baths (in water) and that's why they were missing some fur, so I immediately treated them for fungus. I put alot more Desenex in their dust than the people on here said to, only because the chinchillas were still willing to dust in it.- usually they aren't too fond of the Desenex, as it has a very strong smell, not bad, but strong, so that's why you usually don't put a ton in. Just a thought!

 

[Sycamore Chins]

Putting desenex in the dust bath would probably make chronic dry skin worse. The powder acts as a dessicant. Plus, Brittany didn't say anything about having problems with fungus.

Dry and flaky skin =/= fungus

 

[Brittany]

No redness or heat. I'm 99.9% sure he doesn't have fungus. He isn't missing any fur. He just has bad dry skin year round. I read somewhere that natural perches can help to toughen the feet. I was considering getting some flagstone and natural branches. Do you think that would make it worse since he's already so dry?

 

[Sycamore Chins]

How old is he? Many of my adults have rough looking feet - they are tough, in a good way, just by having a solid bottom cage and wooden shelves. They are a bit scaly, but I wouldn't call them dry.
Do his feet feel smooth at all? Do they have any sort of a shine to them, or are they dull and rough and dry?

If they still have a healthy 'shine' to them, despite some scaly parts (where is looks like dead skin is falling off), I wouldn't worry about it - I think chinnies just get old people feet!