Chinchilla & Degu Health Due to the density of their fur,
chinchillas are pretty immune to fleas and other skin parasites.
They are, however, prone to dietary deficiencies and fungal skin
problems if not fed or housed correctly. The chinchillas fur is
a good indicator of its condition. A dull coat may be due to
zinc deficiency. 'Cotton fur' where the coat takes on a cotton-
like appearance and the fibres are weak and wavy, occurs where
the diet is too high in protein. Males kept with females, and
less commonly males housed together, may suffer from 'fur ring'
where fur gets wrapped in a band around the penis, usually
during mating. A male that is ready for breeding or has just
mated may have enlarged or swollen testicles. This is quite
normal unless they are also hard and painful in which case he
will need to be examined by a vet. Malocclusion of the teeth is
the most common problem that brings chinchilla owners to the
vet. The reasons for it occurring are often a mixture of
hereditary factors and diet. Signs