Bloat can make the entire abdomen appear distended or a severe bump might only develop in one part of the stomach or intestines.
If your chinchilla stops eating or drinking, at some point they will stop passing feces as well. This is a sign that you need to visit the vet for treatment, as dehydration and malnutrition are a possibility. A chinchilla with bloat may also breathe rapidly, which is usually not a sign of other digestive ailments.
There is no set amount of time that works best for this type of abdominal massage. Stop after you’ve covered most of the abdominal area. Apply gentle pressure with your fingertips until you can feel the gas inside slightly pushing back against you. It’s important not to push too hard or you could injure your chinchilla’s abdomen. Your chinchilla might try to squirm around a bit mid-massage. If this happens, don’t worry about elevating their hindquarters, just hold them gently in place on their back and continue the massage.
One surgical option for relieving bloating is as simple as passing a transabdominal needle into your chinchilla’s midsection in order to siphon out the gas. If the bloating isn’t extreme and your chinchilla isn’t in pain, your vet might suggest admitting your animal and monitoring it overnight.
Chinchillas can actually choke on pills, so they are almost never prescribed. If your vet suggests an antibiotic in pill form, discuss a liquid alternative with them.
Separate your chinchilla from other pets or other chinchillas during this period, too.
If you need to make a switch between pellet or hay types, it’s important to do so gradually. Quick dietary changes can cause stomach upset for chinchillas.
Portion control is important for chinchillas. Three mountain ash berries, 1 applewood stick, or ½ teaspoon (0. 57 g) of dandelion leaves is enough of a snack per day. Avoid snacks that contain corn products, chocolate, nuts, seeds, or any animal products. Milk or yogurt, for example, can make your chinchilla very sick. Don’t feed your chinchilla vegetables that could cause gas, such as brussel sprouts, cabbage, or kale. These could cause painful distension in the chinchilla’s abdomen.
Do not give your chinchilla water via a crock or bowl, as these can be tipped over quite easily. If the water bottle is not partially empty at the end of each day, check the tip of the bottle with your finger to make sure it’s still functioning properly. Simply press your finger against the bottle tip and watch to see if water comes out. Dehydration is a primary cause of bloating and illness for chinchillas.
If you let your chinchilla outside to play, make sure to check the space for potentially dangerous materials, too.
Treating any health issues that your chinchilla suffers from, such as liver disease, can also reduce its stress levels.
