[CAChinsRescue] Newsletter - February 2008

[Lori Cope]

CALIFORNIA CHINS and ChinchillaRescue.Org
 
Newsletter
 
February 2008
 
 
 
EVENTS
======
 
 
Paws for Love Adoption Event
----------------------------
 
California Chins has been invited to participate in the Paws for Love
Adoption Event sponsored by the Santa Cruz County Animal Services.
 
Date: Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008 € 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: Scotts Valley Community Center - Bluebonnet Lane & Kings Village
Rd.
 
 
 
California Chins Spring Party
-----------------------------
 
You are invited to a tea party and social gathering for chinchilla owners.
 
Date: March 8th
Time: 3-6pm
Location: Fran Reed's house
          13121 Sun Mor Ave.
          Mountain View, CA 94040
 
For more information and to RSVP, contact Fran at fkreed at comcast.net
 
We'll serve tea, coffee, fruit juice for kids, etc along with small
sandwiches, cupcakes, and other yummy treats.
 
Children and chinchillas are welcome, but please leave your dogs and other
pets at home.
 
 
Chinchilla Health Day 2008
--------------------------
 
Chinchilla Health Day 2008 is moving from Presidents' Day in February to
Memorial Day this year. "Chin Doc" will be attending a conference in
February so we needed to reschedule.  The date will be Monday, May 26th
(Memorial Day).
 
 
RESCUES
=======
  
New Rescues last month: 4
Chins Adopted last month: 7
Deceased Chins: 1
Chins Available for Adoption: about 18
Total # of Chins in Foster Care: 22
Number of Chins waiting to come to Foster Care: 0
 
We have a number of rescues that are not yet available for adoption for one
or more of the following reasons:
 
- Need a check-up or recheck with our vet.
- Need to gain weight
- Scheduled for neutering
- Being watched for dental problems.
- Possible pregnancy
 
 
Available for Adoption
----------------------
 
Check our website to see the chinchillas that are currently available for
adoption. www.chinchillarescue.org/rescues.html
 
 
TIPS, INFORMATION, REMINDERS
============================
 
DETECTING ILLNESS ­ A BASIC HEALTH CHECKLIST FOR CHINS
 
The key to prevention or early detection of health problems is performing
simple, basic health checks on your chinchillas. Identifying a potential
health problem early will increase the chance of a cure. It will also save
your chinchilla undue suffering and save you time and money at the
veterinary clinic.
 
·      Are your chins bright eyed, alert, ready to play or get a treat?  Or
are they listless and lethargic? If they don¹t care about treats, playtime,
or a dust bath, this could be serious so check them often.
 
·      Check your chinchilla¹s stools for signs of diarrhea.  A healthy
chinchilla should have nice firm stools and a clean rectal area.  Normal
stools should not smash when a chinchilla steps on them.  Check to see that
your animal is producing a normal quantity of stools.  If not, it may have
constipation that can be an indicator of other health problems.
 
·      Check your chinchilla and its cage for signs of blood.
 
·      Wet, watery, or pus in the eyes could mean dental problems, an eye
infection, or an allergy.
 
·      Are your chinchilla¹s ears red?  This could mean a fever due to
infection, or perhaps the chinchilla is too warm from the temperature in its
cage.
 
·      When handling your chinchilla feel for lumps. Any lumps on the body
should be checked.  Tumors are very rare in chinchillas.  Any new lump
should be checked by your veterinarian.
 
·      Look for changes in the weight of your chinchilla. Even if you don¹t
have a scale, you can feel changes in weight by holding them and feeling the
belly, spine and ribs.
 
·      Check feet for red pressure sores and broad flattened pads.
 
·      Are your chinchilla¹s incisors yellowish in color? Healthy
chinchillas have yellow teeth.  White teeth are an indication of a dietary
problem that can be caused by either the food or another health problem such
as intestinal parasites that interfere with the absorption of nutrients.
 
·      Learn the normal bumps of your chinchilla¹s jaw. A dental abscess can
sometimes be caught early by feeling the jaw and sniffing the breath.
 
·      Look for drooling around the mouth, throat, front paws, and chest.
This could be a dental problem. Sniff the chin¹s mouth for bad breath.
 
·      A problem that is unique for male chins is hair rings. All it takes
is a minute or two, but can prevent serious health problems.
 
·      As you groom your chinchilla, check the skin and hair.  Fur mites are
rare in chinchillas but do happen.  A bald patch could indicate ringworm or
fur slipping.  Uneven fur length could mean your chinchilla has been chewing
its own fur.  This behavior usually means that your chinchilla is stressed,
bored, or lonely.
 
If you detect any changes in your chinchillas¹ health, contact your
veterinarian for a check-up.
 
 
CONTACT INFORMATION
===================
 
Lani Ritchey - calchins at aol.com
Lori Cope - lori at chinchillarescue.org