Questions

[addictedtochins]

Is breeding chins more difficult then breeding other animals like cats, dogs or maybe rats, rabbits? Whatever species you have bred?
Do you think part of the difficulty is because of the desire to have bigger and bigger chins? Or what?
Has it always been difficult or have problems gotten worse over the years?
All my questions are in refference to the illness, death and injuries of mom and kits.
Anybody want to make or add to a list?
Kit escapes the cage
Mom ignores kit, kit "freezes"
Kit too small, underdeveloped
Kit gets stuck
Kit behind a stuck kit
Mom, cagemate or Dad squishes kit
Kit bitten at/during birth
Kit bitten later by mom, cagemate or sibling
Mastitis of mom
Moms milk insufficient
Uterine or other infection of mom

 

[Veronica]

Maybe it's the same as always, but now there's more education (to know what these problems are) and communication as increased online.

 

[Chinniechantel]

I still think there is a huge lack of knowledge with vets. They know the basics (if you are lucky) but will never know the breeding and more uncommon illnesses. They also don't know the basic husbantry issues, like what is a good food. I can imagine breeding dogs, cats, etc. is a little easier just because you have more reliable basic information, and more vets that can help.

 

[VolunteerChin22]

You would think that there would be a larger specialty presence of vets for small animals given how popular they are. I guess given that your typical rabbit, hamsters, or guinea pigs don't cost most people much to obtain they don't feel they should see vets when they are sick when they can just buy another one and replace it.

 

[mishalaa]

I do not breed cats or dogs, but have talked to some people who do, and anything on that list regarding complications can and do happen in those animals as well. Milk production can be low or non-existent, mothers can reject their offspring, offspring could be born breach or premature, etc. I don't have any kind of statistics for you, but it's my impression that complications are as common in those species as they are in chins (which is to say not certain with every litter, but possible) - with the exception of certain breeds of dog who were bred in such a way that they almost always need assistance. I don't remember which breeds they are, I think it's pugs that typically get Caesarians because their hips are too small, and there was one breed that needed help even mating.

 

[MegFarris]

I do not breed cats or dogs, but have talked to some people who do, and anything on that list regarding complications can and do happen in those animals as well.

I agree, since all complications that can happen with humans can also happen to chinchillas, dogs, cats, etc. I would say breeding anything is not easy. The only benefit I can see dog and cat owners having is that their vet might be more experienced.