New chinchilla quarantine question

[LennyChim]

Hello. I am currently in the process of rescuing a second chinchilla. I have heard from many people to keep them away from each other for thirty days to avoid diseases spreading. I was wondering if they should be in separate rooms or if it’s OK to be in the same room as long as they aren’t interacting. Like how far away do they need to be? Thanks

 

[tunes]

A proper quarantine should have them be in completely separate rooms. If they are in the same room, even a sneeze can spread to the other cage. Whether they physically interact or not doesn't always matter. Many things are airborne.

 

[Amethyst]

As tunes said, for an actual quarantine you need them in separate rooms, as well as make sure you wash between handling, ideally also change clothes as well if the new one ends up being sick. Things like URIs and ringworm can spread in the air and on surfaces, and things like giardia can be spread as far as the poop travels. If you have to have them in the same room at least try to have them as far apart as physically possible (I realize not everyone has another room), and no out of cage time where they get any closer to each other's cages. Aside from illnesses, the other reason for quarantine is to allow the new chin to settle in to the new home and feel at home. Without another chin around right away it can also be easier to get an idea of what normal behavior is, as well as for you to start bonding with the new chin.