neuter chinchilla?

Question

Is it possible to neuter a chinchilla?

Answer 1

I do believe it is possible, but as your last answerer said, go to an expert.
note, that surgeries like that on smaller animals are much more risky than with a dog or cat.

Answer 2

Yes, it is possible to neuter or spay a chinchilla, but it is not recommended.
Chinchillas do not do well under anesthesia in the same manner as dogs and cats (and are also not commonly spayed or neutered).
Only consider this option after the following: "you’ve considered all options, which include a same sex pair, a single chinchilla, etc."

If you still wish to procede...

If you feel the best choice for you is neutering your chinchilla, there are several things that you need to be aware of and prepared for.


Pre Surgery

The very first thing you should do is find an experienced veterinarian. Your best bet is to find an exotic specialist in your area with a good deal (years) of experience under his belt, if not, then consult your state's vet school. Just about every vet school will have an exotic specialist that has this type of very "specific" experience (and hopefully will be able to teach future vets in your state when he performs the procedure- little or no worries about student vets being asked to perform in this type of rare request).



Make sure you find out policy timing (chins should not be dropped off first thing in the morning because of their nocturnal habits and stress levels) and find out what type of sedative will be used:
"Isoflurane or Sevoflurane are acceptable gas anesthesia and they must be given via a mask only. Intravenous drugs for pre-anesthesia sedation are difficult to impossible to administer and not recommended for small and exotic animals. A heat source such as a heating pad or a circulatory hot water blanket (there is a lower chance of heat injury using a water blanket) set at the proper temperature should also be used, as sedation causes the body temperature to drop."

There are two methods used to neuter a chinchilla: Closed castration and Open castration.

"Closed castration involves only small incisions to remove the testicles and partially tie off the inguinal canal, which leads into the abdomen. Open castration involves an incision into the scrotal area to remove the testicles and partially closing the inguinal canal with internal sutures. After removing the testicles and securing the inguinal canal, the incision is closed with external sutures"

(The source, one I've trusted for many chinchilla medical procedure notes that they prefer open castration to a closed castration, even though the procedure is more invasive, but more accurate.)

Also, look into post-op pain medication- your vet should almost always provide it and check sources in the state practice if they try an convince you pain meds are not necessary. My chinchilla had a muscle strain a few months ago and needed oral pain meds every 8 hours- this is by far a more definite need for pain meds if you choose to neuter.

"Talk with your veterinarian about it and perhaps just have some on hand in the event that it is needed. Some signs of pain include but are not limited to: grinding of teeth, reluctance to eat/drink, abdominal pain causing odd movement or constant position shifting, stiff movement, reluctance to move, tremors, and even vocalization. Metacam, Rimadyl, Buprenorphine, and Torbugesic are commonly used analgesics in rodents. Make sure you are aware of potential side effects and know what to watch for when using these drugs, however. Discuss these with your veterinarian."

DONT FORGET ANTIBIOTICS

"Antibiotics are another important topic to cover with your veterinarian. Some will automatically use them to prevent infection, some not until an infection presents itself as a complication. Antibiotics can disturb the natural flora of a chinchilla’s gastrointestinal tract, which can cause added problems. Be sure to avoid antibiotics known to cause problems with rodents and small animals such as Penicillin, Lincomycin, Ampicillin, Amoxicillin (including Clavamox), Cephalosporins, Clindamycin, and Erythromycin. Discuss the pros and cons of using an antibiotic and come to a decision you are both comfortable with."


See source below for further operative and also important post-op details.

Please do not consider this option lightly. This procedure is very risky for a chinchilla, even when performed by a very experienced vet.

Answer 3

As far as I know it is possible. You should go to an exotics vet who has expirence with chinchillas. It might be risky to do it so have a talk with your vet about the pros and cons as well as the risks.

Answer 4

Nope. in fact, i'm against it. Chinchillas are very energetic animals, and would desire to pop the stitches and harm themselves after the surgery. They do lots extra beneficial in communities then they do on their very very own, yet i'd recommend getting it a cage mate of a similar intercourse. this way, they do no longer would desire to be altered, and that they nicely be much less lonely and under pressure.