veiny ears

[bianca]

sometimes.. (happens mostly during playtime or when my chinchilla gets excited..) the veins in his ears turn red and are visible.
i learned that this is a sign of over heat.. but when i touch his ears, they feel cold/cool and not hot at all.. and the temperature on my thermometer is fine.

does this happen to anyone else? or does anybody know why this happens?

 

[cindyv3737]

It's common. It happens because their ears are so fair in color.

 

[lauralynne]

If you're seeing that, the room needs to be cooler for playtime and/or the playtime needs to be shortened.

Even though the temperature may be steady, it is the same with humans. Pretend you're working out in your living room... you exert yourself and you get hot. Same with chinchillas...except they don't sweat like we do to help regulate their body temperate.

That's why it can be so dangerous when they are too hot.

 

[bianca]

okay. thank you.
so even if the ears feel cold, if there are veins showing ..he is too hot?

 

[threewingedfury]

Is your chinchilla a beige? If so, the veins are more visible in their ears.