Chinchilla Symptom Checker
Some bacterial infections in chinchillas may initially be treated with a broad-spectrum antibiotic such as co-trimoxazole before laboratory testing or a full diagnosis has been completed, particularly to help prevent the condition worsening while test results are pending. Owners should discuss this with their vet. Never give antibiotics without veterinary advice. Oral penicillin-type antibiotics are generally not suited to chinchillas and may be fatal.
Chinchillas are prey animals and often hide symptoms for a long time. Owners need to monitor changes carefully.
Owners may need to separate suspected unwell animals from their cage mates to help monitor symptoms and to stop the spread of infection. Often temporarily stopping sand/dust baths may be needed since these can worsen symptoms, for example, when infection is present (or there is a risk of infection), injury or after surgery.
Infectious Disease Symptoms in Chinchillas
Important Hygiene and Infection Control Information
Good hygiene is extremely important when infectious disease is suspected. Hands should be washed thoroughly after handling affected animals, and cages, bowls, bottles, dust baths, shelves and accessories should be cleaned and disinfected appropriately to help reduce the risk of spread or reinfection.
Some infectious diseases carried by chinchillas may potentially spread to humans or other animals. Careful hygiene and handling are therefore important, particularly for children, elderly people, pregnant women or immunocompromised individuals.
Care should also be taken to avoid cross contamination between cages, dust baths, bowls, cleaning equipment and other animals within the household.
Important Veterinary Testing Information
Veterinarians are able to perform testing to identify which bacterial infection, bacterial strain, fungal infection, or parasite may be present. This may include bacterial culture, sensitivity testing, swabs, discharge testing, faecal testing, fungal testing, or laboratory analysis.
If one or more chinchillas are affected, identifying the exact cause is important because some infections can spread rapidly between animals or remain dormant in carriers without obvious symptoms.
In contagious infections, a veterinarian may recommend isolation procedures, environmental disinfection, testing of other chinchillas, or treatment of multiple animals within the group or household.
Some infections may appear similar clinically but require different treatment, quarantine procedures, or medication choices.
Respiratory Infections
General Respiratory Infections
Respiratory infections are commonly caused by bacteria such as Pasteurella, Bordetella, or Streptococcus.
Symptoms
- Sneezing
- Nasal discharge
- Wet fur around the nose
- Noisy breathing or wheezing
- laboured breathing
- Lethargy
- Reduced appetite
- Weight loss
- Eye discharge
Moraxella (Moraxella catarrhalis) Infection
Moraxella is an opportunistic bacterium associated with respiratory and ocular infections in chinchillas and other small mammals.
Symptoms
- Conjunctivitis, including red, swollen, or watery eyes
- Eye discharge, sometimes described as “wet eye” or pink eye
- Respiratory distress
- Sneezing or coughing
- laboured breathing
- Open-mouth breathing in advanced cases
- Mucohemorrhagic or thick nasal discharge
- Periorbital swelling, meaning swelling around the eyes
- Lethargy
- Anorexia or reduced appetite
- Loss of interest in play
- Hunched posture
Connection to Conjunctivitis
Moraxella can be associated with ocular infections, including conjunctivitis, keratitis, and deeper eye infections. While Pseudomonas aeruginosa is often cited as a common bacterial cause of infectious conjunctivitis in chinchillas, Moraxella species may also be found in ocular infections.
Potential Complications
- Pneumonia
- Middle or inner ear infections, also called otitis media or otitis interna
- Septicemia
- Sudden death in severe untreated cases
Important: Immediate veterinary attention is recommended.
Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus Infection
Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus is a severe and highly contagious bacterial infection that may affect the respiratory system, ears, bloodstream, wounds, or soft tissue. This is considered one of the most serious Streptococcus infections listed here and is not considered a common bacterial infection in chinchillas in the United Kingdom.
Symptoms
- Abscesses, especially around the head, throat, and neck
- Respiratory distress
- Sneezing
- Nasal discharge
- Ear infections
- Swelling
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Reduced appetite
- Septicemia
Pseudomonas Infection
Pseudomonas infections are usually caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and are commonly associated with eye infections and opportunistic disease.
Symptoms
- Conjunctivitis
- Corneal ulcers
- Green or yellow eye discharge
- Respiratory disease
- Sneezing
- Nasal discharge
- Lethargy
- Miscarriage or abortion in breeding females
- Infertility or reproductive problems
- Septicemia in severe cases
Bacterial Eye Infections
Bacterial Eye Infections
Bacterial eye infections may occur on their own or alongside respiratory disease. Eye discharge, redness, swelling, cloudiness, or squinting should be checked by a veterinarian.
Symptoms
- Red or swollen eyes
- Watery eyes
- Thick discharge
- Sticky eyelids
- Cloudiness
- Squinting
- Rubbing the eye
- Wet fur around the eye
- Sensitivity to light
- Corneal ulcers in severe cases
Gastrointestinal and Foodborne Infections
Gastrointestinal Bacterial Infections
Gastrointestinal infections may involve harmful bacteria such as Clostridium, E. coli, or Salmonella.
Symptoms
- Diarrhoea or soft stool
- Foul-smelling faeces
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Rapid decline in condition
Listeriosis
Listeriosis is caused by Listeria monocytogenes. It is usually linked to contaminated food, poor-quality feed, spoiled feed, or contaminated bedding. In chinchillas it most commonly affects the digestive system, liver, and bloodstream, although neurological and reproductive signs may also occur in some cases.
Symptoms
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Diarrhoea or digestive upset
- Fever
- Weakness
- Liver involvement or liver enlargement
- Septicemia in severe cases
- Head tilt or loss of balance in some cases
- Circling or neurological signs in some cases
- Abortion or reproductive problems in breeding females
- Sudden death in severe untreated cases
Yersiniosis / Yersinia Infection
Yersiniosis is caused by Yersinia species, including Yersinia enterocolitica or Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. It is usually associated with contaminated food, water, bedding, faeces, wild rodents, or poor environmental hygiene.
Symptoms
- Loss of energy
- Depression
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal discomfort
- Lethargy
- Rapid decline
- Septicemia in severe cases
- Sudden death in severe cases
Giardia (Giardiasis)
Giardia is a microscopic intestinal parasite rather than a bacterial infection. It can cause digestive upset in chinchillas and may spread between animals through contaminated faeces, water, food, bedding, cages, or surfaces. Typical Giardia symptoms include foul smelling, often mucous covered diarrhoea.
Some chinchillas may carry Giardia without obvious symptoms, while others may develop gastrointestinal illness, particularly during stress, illness, overcrowding, poor hygiene, transport, or lowered immunity.
Symptoms
- Soft stool or diarrhoea
- Strong offensive-smelling faeces, occasionally covered in mucus
- Intermittent digestive upset
- Weight loss
- Poor appetite
- Dehydration
- Bloating or abdominal discomfort
- Lethargy
- Poor coat condition
- Failure to gain weight normally in young animals
Important Notes
- Symptoms may come and go intermittently.
- Giardia may be mistaken for dietary digestive upset or bacterial gastrointestinal infection.
- Diagnosis usually involves faecal testing performed by a veterinarian.
- Reinfection may occur if the environment is not thoroughly disinfected.
- Contaminated water sources are a common risk factor.
Dental and Oral Infections
Dental Root or Tooth Abscesses
Symptoms
- Drooling, sometimes called “slobbers”
- Wet chin or chest fur
- Difficulty chewing
- Selective eating
- Weight loss
- Facial swelling
- Eye discharge
- Bad odour from the mouth
Skin and Soft Tissue Infections
Skin Infections
Symptoms
- Red or inflamed skin
- Hair loss patches
- Crusting or scabs
- Pus
- Swelling
- Excess scratching
- Pain when touched
Ringworm (Dermatophytosis / Fur Fungus)
Ringworm is a fungal infection, not a bacterial infection. In chinchillas it is often referred to as fur fungus. It affects the skin and fur and is one of the more important contagious skin conditions to consider when a chinchilla has hair loss, crusting, flaky skin, or circular bald patches.
Symptoms
- Patchy hair loss
- Dry or scaly skin in some cases
- Crusting
- Broken fur
- Circular or irregular bald patches
- Redness in some cases
- Mild itching in some cases
- Spread of lesions to other areas of the body
Important Notes
- Ringworm can be mistaken for bacterial skin infection, fur slip, mites, or irritation.
- Diagnosis may involve skin examination, fungal culture, or other veterinary testing.
- Because it can spread to people, careful handwashing and environmental hygiene are important.
Abscesses
Abscesses
Symptoms
- Firm swelling or lump
- Painful area
- Reduced appetite
- Fever, sometimes
- Pus discharge if ruptured
- Lethargy
Urinary and Reproductive Infections
Urinary Tract Infections
Symptoms
- Straining to urinate
- Frequent urination
- Blood in urine
- Wet fur around the genitals
- Pain while urinating
- Reduced appetite
- Lethargy
Pyometra (infection of the uterus/womb)
Pyometra (infection of the uterus/womb) is a serious bacterial infection of the uterus where pus builds up inside the womb. It is usually caused by opportunistic bacteria entering the reproductive tract and may occur after metritis (infection and inflammation of the uterus), retained placenta, uterine infection, or reproductive complications.
Symptoms
- Vaginal discharge
- Swollen or irritated vulva
- Rough or unkempt coat
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Reduced appetite
- Weight loss
- Swollen or painful abdomen
- Weakness
- Septicemia in severe cases
Mastitis
Mastitis
Symptoms
- Swollen, hot mammary tissue
- Redness
- Pain
- Refusal to nurse kits
- Lethargy
- Fever
Systemic Infections
Septicemia
Septicemia is a severe bloodstream infection that may develop from some untreated or severe infections, particularly bacterial illness.
Symptoms
- Extreme lethargy
- Weakness
- Collapse
- Cold extremities
- Rapid breathing
- Loss of appetite
- Sudden death in severe cases
Quick Reference Table
| Infection | Main Symptoms | Contagious? | Carrier / Dormant Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Respiratory Infection | Sneezing, nasal discharge, breathing difficulty, eye discharge | Yes – isolate the chinchilla | Possible carrier state |
| Moraxella | Conjunctivitis, respiratory distress, eye discharge, nasal discharge | Yes – isolate the chinchilla | Possible opportunistic carrier |
| Ringworm / Dermatophytosis / Fur Fungus | Patchy hair loss, flaky skin, crusting, broken fur, circular or irregular bald patches | Yes – contagious to other animals and people | Fungal spores may persist in the environment |
| Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus | Abscesses, swelling, respiratory signs, septicemia | Yes – isolate the chinchilla | Possible carrier state |
| Pseudomonas Infection | Conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, green or yellow discharge, respiratory signs, reproductive problems | Potentially – isolate and disinfect | May be found in healthy animals; disease may occur with lowered immunity or contamination |
| Gastrointestinal Bacterial Infection | Diarrhoea, bloating, dehydration, abdominal pain | Sometimes – isolate the chinchilla | Possible gut carriage or overgrowth |
| Giardia / Giardiasis | Soft stool, diarrhoea, strong offensive-smelling faeces, occasionally mucus-covered droppings, weight loss | Yes – isolate and disinfect | Possible asymptomatic carriage and intermittent shedding |
| Parasitic Worms | Visible worms or worm segments in droppings, diarrhoea or soft droppings, weight loss, poor condition, digestive upset | Possible contamination risk – protect feed, hay, bedding and living areas | Possible carriage or reinfection if the environment or other pets contaminate feed or bedding |
| Listeriosis | Lethargy, appetite loss, weight loss, liver involvement, neurological signs, abortion, septicemia | Yes – isolate and remove contaminated food or bedding | Possible environmental/feed persistence |
| Yersiniosis / Yersinia Infection | Loss of energy, appetite loss, weight loss, constipation, diarrhoea, sudden death | Yes – isolate and disinfect | Possible faecal shedding; wild rodents may be carriers |
| Dental Root or Tooth Abscess | Drooling, chewing difficulty, facial swelling, weight loss | Usually no | Usually no |
| Skin Infection | Hair loss, redness, scabs, pus, swelling | Sometimes – isolate if discharge, wounds, or spreading signs are present | Usually no |
| Abscess | Firm lump, pain, swelling, pus discharge, lethargy | Usually no, but pus can contaminate surfaces | Usually no |
| Urinary Tract Infection | Straining, frequent urination, blood in urine, wet genital fur | Usually no | Usually no |
| Pyometra (infection of the uterus/womb) | Vaginal discharge, swollen or irritated vulva, fever, lethargy, swollen or painful abdomen | Not usually directly contagious, but isolate as a precaution; bacteria may spread through mating or discharge | No – active reproductive infection |
| Mastitis | Swollen mammary tissue, redness, pain, fever | Usually no | Usually no |
| Septicemia | Collapse, weakness, rapid breathing, severe lethargy | Depends on the underlying cause | No – emergency systemic infection |
Carrier and Dormant Infection Notes
Some bacteria, parasites, and fungal spores can be carried or persist without obvious symptoms. Animals may appear healthy but can still spread infection or become ill later, especially during stress, poor hygiene, overcrowding, diet changes, transport, antibiotic use, or lowered immunity.
| Bacterial Infection | Carrier / Dormant Risk |
|---|---|
| General Respiratory Bacteria | Possible carrier state, especially with respiratory pathogens |
| Moraxella | Possible opportunistic carrier; may flare during stress or illness |
| Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus | Possible carrier state; rare in UK chinchillas but contagious if active |
| Pseudomonas | May be found in healthy chinchillas; disease may occur with lowered immunity or contaminated environments |
| Gastrointestinal Bacteria | Some bacteria may be present in the gut and overgrow after stress, diet change, or antibiotics |
| Salmonella | Possible carrier state; can shed in faeces |
| Clostridium | Can exist in the gut and overgrow dangerously after gut disruption |
| Giardia | Can be carried without obvious symptoms and shed intermittently in faeces |
| Parasitic Worms | Unusual in chinchillas, but faeces may sometimes show visible worms or worm segments. Reinfection or contamination can occur if feed, hay, bedding, cages or living areas are contaminated by other pets or wild animals. |
| Listeria | May persist in contaminated feed or environments; affected animals may shed bacteria |
| Yersinia | Wild rodents or infected animals may act as carriers; infected chinchillas may shed bacteria in faeces |
| Pyometra (infection of the uterus/womb) | Not usually a dormant carrier infection; bacteria associated with reproductive tract infections may potentially spread through mating or contaminated discharge |
| Ringworm / Fur Fungus | Fungal spores may persist in the environment and on contaminated items |
| Dental Abscesses, UTIs, Mastitis, Septicemia, and most wound abscesses | Usually not dormant carrier infections in the same way |
Emergency Warning Signs
Seek immediate veterinary care if a chinchilla experiences:
- Not eating for several hours
- Very small or absent droppings
- Difficulty breathing
- Open-mouth breathing
- Severe lethargy
- Collapse
- Bloated abdomen
- Rapid weight loss
- Severe diarrhoea
- Thick nasal or eye discharge
- Head tilt, seizures, circling, or loss of balance
- Vaginal discharge or swollen, painful abdomen in breeding females
- Sudden severe weakness
- Severe spreading skin lesions or suspected contagious ringworm affecting multiple animals
- Visible worms, blood, mucus or other abnormal material in droppings together with diarrhoea, weight loss, lethargy or reduced appetite
Antibiotic and Medication Safety Note
Chinchillas have highly sensitive digestive systems. Some antibiotics that are commonly safe in other animals can be dangerous or fatal in chinchillas because they may disrupt normal gut bacteria.
Oral penicillin, amoxicillin, ampicillin, and clindamycin may disrupt gut bacteria and lead to fatal enterotoxemia if improperly used.
Always consult a veterinarian before administering medication.
Giardia, ringworm and parasitic worms are not bacterial infections and require different types of treatment from bacterial disease.
Basic Chinchilla Health Check
- General appearance: A healthy chinchilla will have clear, bright eyes and be active and alert. If the chinchilla is lethargic, sitting in a corner with a hunched appearance and with its eyes closed, this indicates it is unwell and requires medical attention. Unnatural grinding of the teeth can indicate pain.
- Discharge: Any unusual discharge from the eyes, nose, mouth, vagina, penis, wounds, feet, or any swelling should be explored and discussed with an appropriate qualified vet.
- Belly: Feel the belly. Does the abdomen feel firm, tight or hard? A firm or hard abdomen can indicate bloat (excess gas that can’t be expelled), blockage and gut problems. These are a medical emergency. In females, a hard or enlarged abdomen can also indicate pregnancy if it is not accompanied by constipation or other symptoms of illness.
- General activity: The droppings, food intake and activity level are very good general indicators of a chinchilla’s health. Any change in behaviour should be closely monitored.
- Droppings: Check the droppings carefully. Constipation includes droppings becoming unusually small, hard and reduced, or droppings stopping completely. Very few or no droppings can indicate a serious problem such as gut stasis, bloat or blockage. These can be life threatening and require urgent treatment. Severe diarrhoea or very smelly droppings should also be treated as a major concern.
- Urination: Check whether the chinchilla is urinating normally and passing normal amounts. Watch for straining, appearing distressed when urinating, blood or unusual colour, strong smell, or wet fur/staining around the genital area or back legs. You may need to separate the chinchilla from cage mates to monitor this more accurately.
- Weight: Is the chinchilla underweight or overweight? Underweight chinchillas may feel bony around the ribs and look thin. Unexplained weight loss should always be investigated by an appropriate qualified vet.
- Overweight / fluid retention: If the chinchilla appears swollen, appears to be carrying water, has missing fur and thin skin in swollen areas or struggles to move this may indicate fatty liver disease or fluid retention.
- Liver disease: Check for jaundice or yellowing around the ears, gums or eyes. If the animal was previously obese and suddenly lost weight this may indicate fatty liver disease or liver infection.
- Food: Check food intake. Make sure pellets and hay are nutritionally balanced, in date, good quality and not contaminated.
- Jaw line: Feel gently along the jaw for bumps or unevenness.
- Teeth: Check the visible front teeth. They should be straight, even and not broken, loose, overgrown or growing at an abnormal angle. Healthy adult chinchilla teeth are normally a deep orange colour. Creamy, pale or white teeth in an adult chinchilla can be a sign of general illness, poor condition or nutritional problems. However, young kits naturally have white teeth, and heavily pregnant or lactating females may temporarily have creamier or paler teeth.
- Fur: Missing fur patches may be caused by fur slip caused by rough handling or escaping a predator. Fur chewing may be stress related or nutritional. Loss of fur can also indicate fur fungus, which is highly contagious. It normally starts with small patches of fur loss around the nose or the base of the tail. Severe cases can develop into lesions on the skin.
- Mites: Chinchillas do not normally suffer from mites because the fur is too dense for mites to penetrate through to the skin. However, this can sometimes occur in long-furred or Angora chinchillas because the fur is longer and more open.
- Injury or trauma: Check carefully for wounds, swelling, limping or injuries from falls or fighting. Minor injuries may be treated at home if they are superficial, kept clean and monitored closely for infection. Serious injuries need immediate veterinary attention.
- Monitoring: Any ill chinchilla, chinchilla recovering from illness or injury, or chinchilla with a suspected medical problem needs to be closely monitored over an extended period to identify any additional or developing symptoms, changes in behaviour or deterioration in condition.
- Aggression: Make sure the chinchilla is not stressed, unwell or having problems bonding with a cage mate. Sometimes chinchillas can become aggressive if ready to mate and their partner is not.
What best describes the appetite change?
Does the belly feel hard?
Has it lasted more than a few days?
For the most accurate guidance, please also select any other symptoms your chinchilla is showing from the main symptom list.
How severe is the reduction in droppings?
Does the abdomen feel firm, tight or hard?
Has the chinchilla possibly eaten anything unsuitable or difficult to digest?
If female, has she recently given birth and possibly eaten the placenta or placentas?
Could the feed, hay or water be contaminated or spoiled?
For the most accurate guidance, please also select any other symptoms your chinchilla is showing from the main symptom list.
How severe is the diarrhoea?
Are the droppings unusually smelly?
Is there blood or mucus in the droppings?
Does the abdomen feel firm, tight or hard?
Could the feed, hay or water be contaminated or spoiled?
Has the chinchilla recently eaten unsuitable foods, treats or vegetation?
Is there anything unusual or visible in the droppings?
For the most accurate guidance, please also select any other symptoms your chinchilla is showing from the main symptom list.
How severe is the weight loss?
How quickly did the weight loss occur?
Is the chinchilla eating normally?
Has water intake increased?
Are there signs of jaundice or yellowing around the ears, gums or eyes?
Was the chinchilla previously obese and then suddenly lost weight?
For the most accurate guidance, please also select any other symptoms your chinchilla is showing from the main symptom list.
What best describes the behaviour?
Could the chinchilla have overheated?
How long has this been happening?
For the most accurate guidance, please also select any other symptoms your chinchilla is showing from the main symptom list.
What type of swelling is present?
Where is the swelling located?
Does the swelling:
How quickly did the swelling appear?
How severe does it appear?
For the most accurate guidance, please also select any other symptoms your chinchilla is showing from the main symptom list.
What symptoms are present?
How did the symptoms develop?
How severe are the symptoms overall?
Has the chinchilla experienced possible trauma or injury involving the head, face or mouth?
If weight loss is present, please also select “Weight loss” from the main symptom list for more detailed assessment.
For the most accurate guidance, please also select any other symptoms your chinchilla is showing from the main symptom list.
What symptoms are present?
Are the symptoms affecting:
How did the symptoms develop?
Are the eye symptoms:
For the most accurate guidance, please also select any other symptoms your chinchilla is showing from the main symptom list.
What type of lump or swelling is it?
Approximately how large is it?
Where is it located?
Is the area:
Could there have been a cause for the swelling?
How has it changed?
How severe does it appear?
For the most accurate guidance, please also select any other symptoms your chinchilla is showing from the main symptom list.
What symptoms are present?
How severe are the symptoms?
How did the symptoms develop?
Are the affected areas:
Is more than one chinchilla affected?
For the most accurate guidance, please also select any other symptoms your chinchilla is showing from the main symptom list.
What is present?
How severe does it appear?
Possible contributing factors
Note: Normal healthy chinchillas naturally have areas of hard skin on the underside of the feet. Hard skin alone does not necessarily mean bumblefoot or ulceration.
For the most accurate guidance, please also select any other symptoms your chinchilla is showing from the main symptom list.
What symptoms are present?
How severe are the breathing changes?
Has the chinchilla been exposed to possible respiratory irritants?
For the most accurate guidance, please also select any other symptoms your chinchilla is showing from the main symptom list.
What type of episode occurred?
Approximately how long did the episode last?
Has the chinchilla overheated, been in a hot room or over-exercised?
For the most accurate guidance, please also select any other symptoms your chinchilla is showing from the main symptom list.
What best describes what happened?
How long has it been unable to get upright?
Could the chinchilla have overheated?
For the most accurate guidance, please also select any other symptoms your chinchilla is showing from the main symptom list.
What type of discharge is present?
How much discharge is present?
Has she recently:
For the most accurate guidance, please also select any other symptoms your chinchilla is showing from the main symptom list.
Does it appear to be coming from the anus?
Does it appear to be coming from the vagina?
For the most accurate guidance, please also select any other symptoms your chinchilla is showing from the main symptom list.
What problem can you see?
If the penis is protruding, how does it appear?
Could this be related to mating or breeding?
Is the chinchilla also:
How long has the problem been present?
How severe does it appear?
For the most accurate guidance, please also select any other symptoms your chinchilla is showing from the main symptom list.
What urinary problem is present?
Has water intake changed?
If male, check for possible penis or fur ring problems.
For the most accurate guidance, please also select any other symptoms your chinchilla is showing from the main symptom list.
Is the female feeding kits or has she recently given birth?
Select the issue that best describes the problem:
Is there discharge, bad smell, severe weakness, collapse, bleeding or does the female seem very unwell?
For the most accurate guidance, please also select any other symptoms your chinchilla is showing from the main symptom list.
What type of problem is present?
Is there a known cause?
Is there visible injury or damage?
How severe does it appear?
How long has it been present?
For the most accurate guidance, please also select any other symptoms your chinchilla is showing from the main symptom list.