alpayton
10-03-2004, 12:54 AM
-Written by Lisa
When raising chinchillas you just never know when something will happen, anywhere from minor to major so a first aid kit is a necessity. This way you are ready and prepared and not having to scram about the house to hunt for the things you need at a time of distress. There are a lot of post on this subject so make sure to search for those as well, but in the meantime here is a idea of thing you might need.
Emergency phone #'s - have your vet's office and pager and some even give out home numbers on hand
Sterile Droppers or Syringes - for giving medicine orally or to the eye, and hand feeding
Nutrical - an appetite stimulant that boost energy in sick chins
Critical Care – a nourishment product replacement for chins that are not eating
Petromalt, Laxatone, Metamucil – psyllium and bran mashes good for constipation, fur build up/impaction (good for fur chewers)
Tinactin, Desenex Foot Powder - used in dust-baths as preventative treatment for ringworm and also to help in curing ringworms
Corn Starch, Flour - helps stop bleeding from nipped nails
Fruit Flavored Tums or Calf Manna - for extra calcium in pregnant or nursing moms or for chins with bone injuries (also controversial-due to an over amount of calcium can cause problems)
Kaolin Pectin, Pepto Bismol – psyllium products are good for mild diarrhea, but best to find out what is causing diarrhea, best to ask vet the amount to be given - WARNING: Kaopectate & Pepto Bismol that contains salicylates should NOT be given to chinchillas (These OTC medications recently went thru a formula change and now contain salicylates)! Kaolin pectin for use in animals, manufactured by Durvet, contains only kaolin, pectin, flavors, and coloring for pallatability.
Antibiotic cream (e.g. Neosporin) - topical anti-bacterial cream good for wounds, nicks, and scratches
Neosporin powder - to help stop bleeding and promote granulation of cuts, nicks and wounds
Pedialyte, Gatorade – good to replace fluids and electrolytes lost after diarrhea, shock, or after suffering from heat stress
Glyoxide, Hexadene solution, or Saline - for cleaning wounds prior to dressing
Towels - for wrapping up a chin to administer meds or to place over bedding during close monitoring period
Small pair of scissors
Cotton Swab, Q-tip
Sterile pads and bandages
Gauze wrap
Tweezers
Unscented Wet Wipes - to clean soiled fur
Marble Slab or Tile - for cooling down chins in case air conditioning goes out
Canned Goat's Milk - for supplementing kits, or more importantly, as a replacement in case the mother dies
Heating Pad – for keeping sick chins and kits warm
Carrying case-for trips to vet
Marker-to mark water lines on bottles to make sure chins are drinking
Hard, frozen ice pack-for warm weather
Socks or homemade bags-to put ice pack in
Jar of baby food-to feed sick chins
Fruit vinegar-to stimulate appetite in sick chins
1% hydrocortisone cream-to relieve itching and irritation
Skin Glue – to help sealskin wounds, but check with vet before using to see if he allows
Infant nasal bulb syringe
Infant medicine dropper
Rectal thermometer
Vet wrap (2")
Blu-Kote, Lamisil AT cream – treating ringworms
A variety of syringes
Clean pillowcases, fleece blanket
Gram Scale
BeneBac or Probiotics
Stethoscope
Latex gloves
Waterproof pad (for your lap)
Cranberry, Apple Juice – For mother chins to help the milk to come in (I purchase the small individual bottles in the baby food isle just to have a few on hand in my kit, for the juice doesn’t stick around long in my fridge and I can always pick up more once I know I need it)
Dry Baby Cereal – I like to add to kits milk when hand feeding, thickens up just a bit for easier intake
Karo Syrup – to add just a bit to kits milk as well
Simethicone Drops - to help relieve bloat and gas
Pen and Paper – to write important info down, such as temp records that need to be kept for vet or important info from vet
When raising chinchillas you just never know when something will happen, anywhere from minor to major so a first aid kit is a necessity. This way you are ready and prepared and not having to scram about the house to hunt for the things you need at a time of distress. There are a lot of post on this subject so make sure to search for those as well, but in the meantime here is a idea of thing you might need.
Emergency phone #'s - have your vet's office and pager and some even give out home numbers on hand
Sterile Droppers or Syringes - for giving medicine orally or to the eye, and hand feeding
Nutrical - an appetite stimulant that boost energy in sick chins
Critical Care – a nourishment product replacement for chins that are not eating
Petromalt, Laxatone, Metamucil – psyllium and bran mashes good for constipation, fur build up/impaction (good for fur chewers)
Tinactin, Desenex Foot Powder - used in dust-baths as preventative treatment for ringworm and also to help in curing ringworms
Corn Starch, Flour - helps stop bleeding from nipped nails
Fruit Flavored Tums or Calf Manna - for extra calcium in pregnant or nursing moms or for chins with bone injuries (also controversial-due to an over amount of calcium can cause problems)
Kaolin Pectin, Pepto Bismol – psyllium products are good for mild diarrhea, but best to find out what is causing diarrhea, best to ask vet the amount to be given - WARNING: Kaopectate & Pepto Bismol that contains salicylates should NOT be given to chinchillas (These OTC medications recently went thru a formula change and now contain salicylates)! Kaolin pectin for use in animals, manufactured by Durvet, contains only kaolin, pectin, flavors, and coloring for pallatability.
Antibiotic cream (e.g. Neosporin) - topical anti-bacterial cream good for wounds, nicks, and scratches
Neosporin powder - to help stop bleeding and promote granulation of cuts, nicks and wounds
Pedialyte, Gatorade – good to replace fluids and electrolytes lost after diarrhea, shock, or after suffering from heat stress
Glyoxide, Hexadene solution, or Saline - for cleaning wounds prior to dressing
Towels - for wrapping up a chin to administer meds or to place over bedding during close monitoring period
Small pair of scissors
Cotton Swab, Q-tip
Sterile pads and bandages
Gauze wrap
Tweezers
Unscented Wet Wipes - to clean soiled fur
Marble Slab or Tile - for cooling down chins in case air conditioning goes out
Canned Goat's Milk - for supplementing kits, or more importantly, as a replacement in case the mother dies
Heating Pad – for keeping sick chins and kits warm
Carrying case-for trips to vet
Marker-to mark water lines on bottles to make sure chins are drinking
Hard, frozen ice pack-for warm weather
Socks or homemade bags-to put ice pack in
Jar of baby food-to feed sick chins
Fruit vinegar-to stimulate appetite in sick chins
1% hydrocortisone cream-to relieve itching and irritation
Skin Glue – to help sealskin wounds, but check with vet before using to see if he allows
Infant nasal bulb syringe
Infant medicine dropper
Rectal thermometer
Vet wrap (2")
Blu-Kote, Lamisil AT cream – treating ringworms
A variety of syringes
Clean pillowcases, fleece blanket
Gram Scale
BeneBac or Probiotics
Stethoscope
Latex gloves
Waterproof pad (for your lap)
Cranberry, Apple Juice – For mother chins to help the milk to come in (I purchase the small individual bottles in the baby food isle just to have a few on hand in my kit, for the juice doesn’t stick around long in my fridge and I can always pick up more once I know I need it)
Dry Baby Cereal – I like to add to kits milk when hand feeding, thickens up just a bit for easier intake
Karo Syrup – to add just a bit to kits milk as well
Simethicone Drops - to help relieve bloat and gas
Pen and Paper – to write important info down, such as temp records that need to be kept for vet or important info from vet