Sharing dust bath

[kellylynnmarie]

I have 2 chinchillas that had to be separated due to fighting. I separated everything, but they still share a dust bath house. I've had one guy, Splinter, who has been sick on and off over the last couple of months. He seems like he's on the upswing... I realize I may be a bit late in asking, but... can things be transmitted through the dust? And is it best since they are now permanently separate that they don't share that either???

 

[Sandi]

Yes, illnesses can be transmitted in the dust, especially since they poop in it. IMO, I would get a separate dust container for each chin. I have several single chins and they each get their own dust bowl but for my pairs there is just no way for me to control them so they share a dust bowl.

 

[kellylynnmarie]

Ok... that's what I figured. It's been a few months and I haven't noticed any issue with the "healthy" one but I wouldn't want to risk it if all I need to do is get another dust bathhouse.

Also... since you mentioned several single chins... is it because of fighting? or illness? or just because? I ask because in January I had to separate my two brothers because they decided to start fighting. I now have them set up side by side but they can't see each other as there is a barrier. Sometimes I think they smell each other and there might be some agitation but most of the time it seems okay. They especially get anxious when they can hear the other taking a bath because they want a bath, too. Do you keep yours in a similar area? Have you had any issues? I have always wondering if it's stressful for them or if they're okay how I have them... Any thoughts would be great.

 

[ticklechin]

A sick chin or a malo/dental chin need everything separate and infection control should be practiced between the chins-malo/dental chins can carry some nasty bacteria in the drool that can get everywhere.

 

[Daina91880]

I have a pair of girls and a single boy. I give them their dust at the same time because they do go nuts if they hear ther other(s) dusting.

 

[kellylynnmarie]

Yeah... he doesn't drool at all, which kind-of makes me wonder if it's really a "serious" teeth issue/malo or something else he had going on. But, he's on the upswing of it and plays, chews and is starting to eat hay almost normally again.

I will have to get separate baths as I do worry about the two sharing them... and the stress it seems to cause when they can hear the other breaks my heart.