New Chinchilla Health Questions

[MommyofChiChi]

So I recently got a new chinchilla named Carlos last week because I wanted my other chinchilla ChiChi to have a friend. I've had chichi for about 8 months now and he turned 1 in May. I was told that Carlos was 2 or 3 when I got him last week. Carlos and ChiChi do not get along so I might be getting rid if Carlos if it doesn't work out because the only reason I got him was for chichi to no be so lonely. But I have some concerns for Carlos. For starters, he bites. If you go to pet him anywhere but the top of his head, he turns and nips you and it hurts sometimes. I use gloves to get him out of his cage. Also, he seems very overweight, when I got him, you couldn't even see his hands when he ran but ever since I got him a wheel and let his have long playtime outside the cage, he looks healthier. Also, he seems kind of cross eyes if that makes sense and he is missing a fur patch under his eye and behind his neck. The people that had him didn't take very good care of him AT ALL and kept him out in a barn with horses and spiders all by himself and when I got him, the woman didn't even know what name he was given by her 11 year old daughter. So in a way I feel like I sorta rescued him from death. And the box he came in from the lady had spiders in it so I let her take it back and I put Carlos in a small cage I brought. And the alignment of his back looks weird and out if place and I feel bad for him because he's still a living animal and he can be a sweet heart. But I don't know what to do about his health or if time will help him heal. Or should I take him to the vet? Thank you all so much for the help

 

[Smidgeyy]

Chins can live happily by themselves, they don't need a friend.
Some can never be housed with another chin because they're just that aggressive with others. Introductions should be taken slow pace, and done in a neutral area.

When getting a new chin, you need to quarantine them. This means they should be in a separate room from your old chin, which can prevent spreading anything between the two. After 30 days, you can begin the introduction process.

Since he was in bad health when you got him, I would keep an eye on your other chin to make sure he didn't catch anything. I would keep them in separate rooms for a month, even though he already had contact.

Each chin is different. Some enjoy cuddling, others won't even let you hold them. That's just how they are and you just have to work around it. Chins aren't usually fond of being handled at all(unless it's like one of mine, who will torpedo himself at me to get some love Lol). You are still new to him so he is probably not comfortable with you yet. If he wasn't socialized, it's no wonder he's biting. His health could be a cause for it as well.

He should see a vet right away.

 

[MommyofChiChi]

Thank you so much. My first chinchilla ChiChi is so sweet and he doesn't mind being held and I think he is like that because I had him since he was a baby. I never thought he could be so mean to Carlos being he is so sweet to people.