Pet Insurance, Introducing new chins & other questions

[Macha]

I've been trolling these forms for a few months, and have found a lot of useful information. I have a few questions, that I wasn't able to find on a quick search or they were not useful to me. (If any of these things have been discussed please refer me to the link, thx)

(1) Pet insurance for Chinchillas, does anyone know of a provider in Canada. (VPI, from what I can see, does not cover Canada). Although I am lucky to live 5 mins from a Chin Vet (I absolutely LOVE my vet) and about 20mins from an emergency vet with experience with exotic pets, who are good but expensive. (1K- 2K for overnight stay, plus emergency appointment). I would like to be (more) prepared in case anything happens.

(2) Introducing chins. I know it's easier to introduce younger chins, but at what age am I getting into the "set in their ways" problem. I currently have a 7 month old female chin and am thinking about getting another (preferably female) chin to keep her company in the next few months just wondering if there is a cut off age I should be looking at, as well as the age of the other chin. (I am aware that she may never get along with another chin, and I will have to cage them separately).

(3) Chins and other animals. Are there other animals that I should be aware that may cause a danger to chins, mainly in the health and possibly getting the chin sick. If/When I get any other animals, I want to be aware of any dangers I may be causing her, and be able to avoid them.

Other random crap...
(a) Chin supplier (toys, cage accessories) that ships to Ontario
(b) Chin breeder, with references, in Ontario - ( I am aware of the Canadian Chinchilla rescue, and am looking at them)

 

[Amethyst]

As far as I've seen and look at in the past there is no company that offers exotic pet insurance in Canada, unfortunately. Your best bet would be to set up a savings account for emergencies. You could ask your vet though, they might know if they know of any insurance that covers chins, if you haven't asked already. Or you could try contacting the Pet insurance companies and asking, but I wouldn't get my hopes up.

Intros I think are best for young, under a year. However it really does come down to personalities more then age if they will get along or not. Just take it slow, 30 day quarantine in another part of the house and then slow intro over weeks. Also, yes please if you get another get a female to go with a female, breeding chins is not for the faint of heart or someone short on money.

Cats and dogs should be kept from direct access to chins, they carry a lot of bacteria so one little claw swipe or bite ( or even drool/saliva if the chin has a cut) can mean a bad infection or death. I have cats and dogs but if I am not home or have gone to bed the door is closed, and playtime together is completely out of the question. Also rabbits carry a bacteria that is deadly to chins as well, it can be transmitted through the air so even having them housed in the same room is not a good idea and wash between handling. Also a rabbit can easily kill a chin with one kick. Basically in general don't house in the same cage with or have playtime with any other animal then another chin, and always wash between handling one animal and another.

Supplies in Canada, the ones I've looked at and/or bought from are Chinchilla Park place, Zoey and Lilo's Toy Box, and Flower Town Chinchillas. All of those are in Canada, the last two are in Ontario. I'm sure there are others that I don't know, and ones in the US that might ship up to Canada, if you are willing to pay for the shipping, shipping costs over to border have become ridiculous.

I live in Alberta so I can't really help with the breeders in Ontario, but would suggest the Canadian Chinchilla rescue, as you mentioned, since you live in Ontario and they are from the sounds of it, always overloaded.

 

[BooBoo*TheKiddo*]

CareCredit. Not sure if they service Canada or not, but I use that for most vet bills rather than the savings.

 

[EternallyCynical]

http://www.ontariochinchillas.ca/breeders.php There's a good list of Ontario chin breeders, I've never bought from any breeder (my only chin is from previous owners) but you can at least look into some of them. I've looked at pet insurance up here (I'm in Ontario too) but can't find anything. It all seems to be dogs and cats only!! ARGH! Vet bills are super pricey but insurance doesn't seem to be on the table :/

 

[Macha]

Thanx for all your help!


Amethyst,

As far as I've seen and look at in the past there is no company that offers exotic pet insurance in Canada, unfortunately. Your best bet would be to set up a savings account for emergencies. You could ask your vet though, they might know if they know of any insurance that covers chins, if you haven't asked already. Or you could try contacting the Pet insurance companies and asking, but I wouldn't get my hopes up.

Vet confirmed there weren't any insurance providers, but she did mention that one was trying to get into Canada. Not sure which one but I'm going to Canada. I've already started the savings account idea.

Intros I think are best for young, under a year. However it really does come down to personalities more then age if they will get along or not. Just take it slow, 30 day quarantine in another part of the house and then slow intro over weeks. Also, yes please if you get another get a female to go with a female, breeding chins is not for the faint of heart or someone short on money.

I'll be looking at personalities she may or may not get along with another chin, would not surprise me if she doesn't, I understand that's a risk. I understand the quarantine and slow introductions. When I get another chin it will be a female (my first choice), and I will be confirming sex, or an already neutered male. (yes, I understand the pro's and cons of neutering male chins). She will not now or ever be bred.

Cats and dogs should be kept from direct access to chins, they carry a lot of bacteria so one little claw swipe or bite ( or even drool/saliva if the chin has a cut) can mean a bad infection or death. I have cats and dogs but if I am not home or have gone to bed the door is closed, and playtime together is completely out of the question. Also rabbits carry a bacteria that is deadly to chins as well, it can be transmitted through the air so even having them housed in the same room is not a good idea and wash between handling. Also a rabbit can easily kill a chin with one kick. Basically in general don't house in the same cage with or have playtime with any other animal then another chin, and always wash between handling one animal and another.

Cat's I will probably get in future so good to know about. Rabbit I wasn't aware of, they have now been crossed of my maybe list. I would never consider housing two different species of animals in the same cage.

Supplies in Canada, the ones I've looked at and/or bought from are Chinchilla Park place, Zoey and Lilo's Toy Box, and Flower Town Chinchillas. All of those are in Canada, the last two are in Ontario. I'm sure there are others that I don't know, and ones in the US that might ship up to Canada, if you are willing to pay for the shipping, shipping costs over to border have become ridiculous.

I looked at the places you mentioned and they seem to carry most of the things I'm looking for. I'm mainly having difficulty finding cage accessories and toys that aren't plastic locally. I'm hesitant to give her the wood chews and treats I find in the pet store, as often the ingredients or the source wood is not listed.

Shipping to Canada, from what I have found depends on what shipping company is being used and what is on the label, I have had both good and bad experience shipping from US. I'm okay with paying extra shipping costs, I am not okay with paying extra shipping costs and then another fee when my item arrives, which is what UPS does, and why I stopped ordering from any company that ships via UPS to Canada. (Sorry off-topic rant).

http://www.ontariochinchillas.ca/breeders.php There's a good list of Ontario chin breeders, I've never bought from any breeder (my only chin is from previous owners) but you can at least look into some of them. I've looked at pet insurance up here (I'm in Ontario too) but can't find anything. It all seems to be dogs and cats only!! ARGH! Vet bills are super pricey but insurance doesn't seem to be on the table :/

I looked at Ontario Chinchilla Breeders, it is how I found my vet. They seemed to be pretty dead as it looked like nothing had been updated in a few years. The listing for my Vet has an old veterinarian listed who is no longer at the clinic. Still I may try contacting some of them.

I am also looking at previous owners, and Canadian Chinchilla Rescue.