Maguel update

iluvmychins · Jul 4, 2009

Hi all! Sorry I have been out for a long while. Been busy with trying to graduate on time, and Hubby on r and r from the sandbox. Everything has been going great! Maguel has officially been declared blind, but it does not stop him one bit!! He is almost the size of daddy, it is nuts. He grew so fast. I do not have any pictures, i am looking into a new camera.

Does anyone have any advice on caring for a blind chinchilla? I currently ahve no shelves, do to him still being a kit, but what about wheels and shelves? I know it is probably a dumb question, but I just thought I would ask.

Thanks!!

tunes · Jul 4, 2009

He can have the things most other chin can have, but I wouldn't go super high on cage height. I preferred a longer, flatter cage for Beep, with a few shelves around the outside. He loved to get up on the shelves just as much as his sighted cagemate. He also very much enjoyed his wheel, once he figured out what to do with it.

iluvmychins · Jul 4, 2009

Thanks!
You know, after he was born, I wondered why it was taking him longer to learn certain things. Now, I dont think anyone would know he was blind. He gets around just like mom and dad! You would think he is just a beige chin with creamy purple eyes!

addictedtochins · Jul 4, 2009

Aw, I'm glad you have a happy, basicly healthy little boy. I looked at his baby pics, he really is a good looking little chubby, can't wait to see new pictures (I think you'll need a wide lens LOL)

Chinniechantel · Jul 4, 2009

He should be just fine, I have heard blind chins do just fine, as stated they can even use a wheel! I would maybe keep him with his daddy and he can help him around. I have a girl with only one eye and she is just fine!

addictedtochins · Jul 4, 2009

Just wondering, Peggy how do you introduce him to shelves and ledges? Since he can't see a shelf 12 inches high he wouldn't even know it was there. Do you just keep them like 8 inches high so he can sniff them?

tunes · Jul 4, 2009

I provided a house under the ledge so he could climb on the house, then onto the ledge. Once he got the hang of that ledge, I put a ledge next to it a little higher. I never went over 10 inches though, because the cage was long and low. When I put a ledge on the other end of the cage, I moved the house there and started over.