Vet 215 Fundamentals of Animal Research – Chinchillas

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key anatomical, physiological, behavioral, husbandry, and medical terms related to chinchillas studied in Vet 215.

Chinchilla lanigera

South-American rodent species commonly bred for pets, fur, and laboratory research.

Habitat (wild)

Cold, rocky slopes of the Andes Mountains in South America.

Nocturnal

Active primarily at night; typical activity pattern of chinchillas.

Chew-resistant housing

Cages and furnishings made of materials that withstand constant gnawing from continuously growing teeth.

Multilevel housing

Enclosures with vertical space, ramps, and platforms to allow climbing and jumping.

Dust bath

Daily rolling in fine dust to remove oils and keep dense fur clean; water bathing is contraindicated.

Dust bath materials

Cornstarch & sand, unscented talc & sand, or diatomaceous earth & sand mixtures.

Coprophagy

Re-ingestion of nutrient-rich cecotrophs produced at night.

Cecotrophs

Soft night feces high in vitamins and protein, eaten directly from the anus.

Herbivorous diet

Plant-based nutrition requiring high roughage and fiber.

Timothy hay

Primary hay source that should make up about 25 % of daily intake.

Well-balanced pellets

Commercial feed formulated to meet chinchilla nutritional needs.

Chinchilla temp

98.6-100.4 F

chinchilla RR

40-80 bpm

chinchilla HR

100-150 bpm

chinchilla lifespan

10-20yrs

Auditory research

Studies on noise-induced hearing loss and otitis media using chinchillas’ large tympanic bullae.

Cholera vaccine model

Use of chinchillas in developing immunizations against Vibrio cholerae.

NASA sleep research

Space-related sleep studies employing chinchillas as a model species.

Tympanic bullae

Enlarged bony middle-ear chambers that enhance hearing sensitivity.

False nostrils

Blind pockets beside the true nostrils unique to chinchilla anatomy.

Open-rooted teeth

Continuously growing incisors and cheek teeth that require constant wear.

Palatal ridges

Individualized grooves on the palate that act like fingerprints for identification.

Large cecum

Expanded fermentation pouch aiding fiber digestion in herbivores.

Anal sac

Secretory pouch near the anus similar to those of dogs and cats.

Seasonally polyestrous

Multiple estrous cycles occurring only during a defined breeding season (Nov–May).

Puberty (chinchilla)

Age at sexual maturity, approximately 8 months.

Gestation (chinchilla)

Average pregnancy length of 111 days.

Postpartum estrus

Return to heat immediately after parturition, allowing quick re-breeding.

Precocious young

Offspring born fully furred, eyes open, and mobile.

Fur slip

Defensive release of skin patches and fur when frightened or roughly handled.

Fur chewing

Stress-related self-barbering that leads to alopecia and possible hairballs.

Slobbers

Dental malocclusion causing drooling, weight loss, and oral ulceration.

Choke

Obstruction by an oversized object leading to salivation, dyspnea, and anorexia.

Hairballs

Trichobezoars formed from ingested fur, often due to low dietary fiber.

Enteritis

Intestinal inflammation from diet change, parasites, or antibiotics; may cause constipation and prolapse.

Constipation

Reduced fecal output frequently linked to pellet-only diets lacking hay.

Bloat

Painful gas distension of the abdomen treated by exercise and decompression.

Dermatophytosis

Fungal skin infection causing alopecia on face, feet, and ears; zoonotic.

Heat stroke

Hyperthermia occurring at temperatures above 80 °F or with poor ventilation.

Rectal prolapse

Protrusion of rectal tissue, often secondary to diarrhea or improper diet.

Cranial vena cava

Major thoracic vein used for large blood draws under anesthesia.

Jugular vein

Accessible neck vein for blood collection in anesthetized chinchillas.

Lateral saphenous vein

Peripheral vein used for IV injections or small blood samples.

IV injection needle size

25–28 gauge needles recommended for intravenous administration.

IM injection sites

Quadriceps, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus muscles; maximum 0.3 mL per site with 23–25 gauge needle.

SQ injection

Subcutaneous administration between the shoulders using a 23-gauge needle.

Weight (adult)

Body mass ranges from 400–600 g.

Body temperature

Normal range 98.6–100.4 °F (37–38 °C).

Heart rate

Normal pulse of 100–150 beats per minute.

Respiratory rate

Normal breathing rate of 40–80 breaths per minute.

Lifespan

Average longevity of 10–20 years in captivity.

Giardia

Protozoan parasite occasionally causing diarrhea in chinchillas.

Cryptosporidium

Waterborne protozoan that can infect chinchillas; may cause diarrhea.

Eimeria chinchillae

Coccidian parasite specific to chinchillas.

Sarcocystis

Protozoan parasite rarely producing clinical signs in chinchillas.

Physoloptera

Stomach nematode occasionally found in chinchillas.

Haemonchus contortus

Nematode parasite more common in ruminants but reported in chinchillas.

Hymenolepis nana

Dwarf tapeworm capable of infecting chinchillas and humans.

Fur trade

Industry that breeds chinchillas for their dense, soft pelts.