The Joy of Chinchillas

Authors:
Lani Ritchey BSc.AS,
Elizabeth Current Cogswell MR MS PHN, and
Roxane Beeman

Dimensions: Approx. 8 1/2" x 11" (22 cm x 28 cm)

The Joy of Chinchillas is an excellent reference book for chinchilla owners. We recommend this book highly to experienced chinchilla owners who want to learn more about their pet chins, particularly about chinchilla health issues. We would recommend this book as more of a "second chinchilla book" rather than as an "introduction to chinchillas" book.

A few of the authors' opinions and theories are considered somewhat controversial in pet chinchilla circles. The authors do, however, identify those items that are based on their theories and give the reasoning behind them. We find that we are usually in agreement.

Co-author Betti Cogswell, aka "ChinMom", is a frequent and well known contributor to ChinMail and Alt.Chinchilla, the online chinchilla newsgroup.

CONTENTS

1 - INTRODUCTION TO CHINCHILLA OWNERSHIP
Should You Own a Chinchilla?
What Types of Chinchillas Are Available?
Chinchilla Colours

2 - THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A CHINCHILLA
Where Do You Get a Chinchilla?
What Are Your Plans for the Chinchillas?
What should it cost?
How many should you buy?
Should You Buy a Male or a Female?
What Age is Best?
How Do You Choose a Healthy Chinchilla?

3 - EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
The Cage
Making a Cage
Where to get the Makings for a Cage
Cleaning the cage
Water Bottles
The Bath
Food Dishes

4 - NUTRITION
Basic rules for feeding a chinchilla
Vitamins
Grains
Aflatoxins and mycotoxins
Other miscellaneous nutrients

5 - HANDLING A CHINCHILLA
Catching a chinchilla
Traveling with or without your chinchilla

6 - CHINCHILLA HEALTH
Health Norms
Basic practices for good health
Problems of the Digestive system
Impaction
Seizure Problems
Other Health issues
Heart Disease
Shock
Pneumonia
Heat Stroke
Broken Bones
Liver Failure
Blister Beetle poisoning
Ears
Eyes
Ringworm
Psychological needs
Fur Chewing
Exercise
First Aid kit for Chinchillas
Feeding a Sick Chinchilla
Hematologic levels for chinchillas

7 - DIARRHEA
Problems of Diarrhea

8 - TOOTH PROBLEMS
Problems of the Teeth

9 - SHOWING YOUR CHINCHILLA
Who sponsors the show?
Preparation for the Show
Traveling to the show
Handling animals at the show

10 - MATERNITY AND GERIATRICS
Breeding
Pregnancy
Other things that can go wrong
C-Section
Pediatrics
Sexing a chinchilla
Geriatric care
Grieving

11 - QUESTIONS STILL OPEN
Rodent Classification / DNA
Cardiac Problems
Giardia and Other Parisites
Diabetes
Vitamin C
Reference
REFERENCES AND RECOMMENDED READING
Available Published Literature Searches
Internet Resources
Appendix A