Yeah, I would like to bring up a point that was recently brought up in my thread in the diet and nutrition section.
Most vets know very little about nutrition, this goes for all types of vets, unless they have specialized in nutrition or have done their own research. I work for a small animal vet (and have volunteered-then-worked for him for over 10 years.) He is an outstanding vet, but he is a big advocate of Science Diet, which, while it isn't the worst dog/cat food, it's not the best either. Dogs and cats shouldn't eat corn, fillers, by products and artificial dyes. But my vet's specialty in not in diet and nutrition, so he goes with the brand that he gets all the prescription diets through.
My main point is, just because the diet suggestions are not good, it doesn't have a bearing on his knowledge of chins from a medical standpoint. He knows I feed strictly a high quality pellet diet and free feed timothy hay, and he has never told me I need to offer veggies, or leafy greens, or raisins. I've gone in and had skull radiographs, and full body x-rays, as well as taking in a chinchilla I was caring for who had been stepped on by his owner (they took their dogs to the vet I work for, and had to go out of town soon after he was injured, the tech at our office asked if I could take care of him and do the follow-up visit with Dr. Ness) and as far as medical, I am very pleased with his knowledge and how gentle he is.
I think the sad truth of the matter is, with our pets diets, regardless if you have a very common pet like a dog or cat, or an exotic, like a chin. Doing your own research and asking knowledgeable people who know about nutritional requirements, is vital if you want to do the best by your animals. I wish there wasn't so much bad info out there, and that pet food companies didn't market foods and treats that can be so bad for out animals.
I will also say, Dr. Ness is , so far, the best exotics vet I've found nearby. One of the vets I saw in Tinley asked if my chinchilla had been vomiting at all. Hmm... that would be hard, considering it's physically impossible for them to vomit. All 4 vets I've seen who say they work with exotics recommend leafy veggies, fruits and raisins as a treats. I really think that proper chinchilla diet is not something that's covered extensively in vet school.
--just wanted to edit to add, that I'm not trying to sound defensive or anything, just agreeing with the comments, and sharing the little "ah hah!" moment I had when someone else mentioned that they wouldn't take diet advice from any vet, barring people who have studied/have a specialization in diet and nutrition
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