Ann Vole
Member
In the recent past, I had a pair of baby chinchillas who appeared healthy and active but after about 3 weeks, one was found dead and about 7 weeks in the other also died. Their bodies had no injuries, enough body fat to not feel the ribs, and color on their teeth (likely no mineral deficiencies). No unusual behavior and healthy fluffy fur before their mysterious deaths. Right now I have 2 new healthy babies by the same parents and am wondering what you people think might have killed those babies so I can watch out for my current two to prevent problems. I have two other girls who have grown to adult size successfully (different litters) but both lost a sibling early (one broke it's leg and one was sickly at birth and did not make it to day 2). Another pair had an eye infection causing their eyes to gum up... they lasted a few weeks but died like the other pair... healthy-looking except the eyes. I can accept the deaths of the ones with the gummed up eyes as there was obviously something wrong but the other pair really have me worried that I am missing some key fatal factor that could kill my new babies. These two are 2 weeks old now.