Mestizos of the British golden chinchilla are highly susceptible to hereditary incurable diseases, so before buying a pet, you should carefully study its pedigree and documents.

Disease prevention

Prevention of diseases in cats is not only easier than treatment, but also makes it possible to avoid possible consequences that may affect the life of a chinchilla in the future.

Proper care reduces the risk of problems with teeth, digestive system, vision and other organs.

Maintaining eye and vision health involves adhering to standard rules that should preferably be followed daily. These treatments consist of cleaning the eyes with a disc or cotton swab soaked in boiling water. It should be left to cool beforehand to stable temperatures or herbal infusions.

It is also recommended to cleanse the eye area daily and consult your veterinarian regularly for a more thorough examination.

British chinchilla teeth must be cleaned with a special product prescribed by the treating veterinarian. It will not harm, however, you must choose a product that does not require rinsing. The hardness of the toothbrush should be chosen individually for each cat.

In order not to harm the digestive system, cats need to be fed at least 2 times and a maximum of 4 times a day. So no pressure on the body will be created, food will be digested without deterioration or a feeling of heaviness in the stomach.

The chinchilla’s diet, like that of humans, must be balanced and healthy. Avoid confectionery, foods high in fat, sweets, canned food, sausages.

It is also necessary to purchase vitamin and nutritional supplements to provide the cat with a complete set of vitamins, micro- and macronutrients in the body.

Diseases

British women are susceptible to both hereditary and acquired diseases.

Retinal atrophy

Atrophy involves first partial, and then complete loss of vision. Initially, the cat may notice enlarged pupils. After this, night blindness begins to appear, that is, blurred vision in the dark.

Cats with retinal atrophy are not allowed to mate, as this pathology is inherited.

Polycystic kidney disease

With polycystic disease, the kidneys form cysts filled with fluid. Most often, the pathology occurs in adult cats.

If the disease is detected in time, you can perform an operation and completely get rid of polycystic disease. In the later stages, a complete cure is impossible, however, you can prolong the life of the pet with the help of medications.

The main symptoms include:
• thirst;
• decreased appetite;
• lethargy;
• decreased activity;
• weight loss;
• frequent urination;
• gagging and vomiting.

The disease can be diagnosed only after thorough examinations.

Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophied cardiomyopathy is characterized by decreased pet activity and severe shortness of breath.

If you do not start treatment on time, the cat’s hind legs will stop working, then pulmonary edema will begin, which will lead to death.

This disease is also considered a very important defect and prevents the animal from breeding.

Gastritis

Gastritis is a disease that causes inflammation of the lining of the stomach.

There is a wide variety of causes that can cause this inflammatory process. Deviation from a normal diet or lack of it in general are the most common factors.

Allergies to food or drugs can also cause serious consequences and the development of gastritis.

Illness can also occur due to psychological conditions such as anxiety, stress, depression.

The symptoms of gastritis are different depending on its stage. Vomiting after eating, fever, pain when touching the abdomen, fatigue, excessive production of saliva, all this indicates the occurrence of this disease.

Diagnosis is carried out during a consultation with a veterinarian, after laboratory tests and according to the owners of the symptoms that they noticed in the British chinchilla.

Urolithiasis

The disease involves the formation of “stones” in the urinary system.

This condition spreads among felines, and the absence of the necessary treatment and at the right time can be fatal.

The causes of the disease are as follows:
• lack of movement and physical activity;
• Consumption of insufficient amounts of water and other liquids;
• imbalance in the hormonal background;
• infections of the urinary system or diseases of the digestive system;
• improper nutrition;
• hereditary pathologies;
• stress, psychological problems, decreased immunity or excess weight.

Symptoms include: decreased appetite, weight loss, urination with traces of blood, an increase in abdominal volume, discomfort or atypical postures during urination.

Oncology

Cancer in cats can damage any organ, and it is important to determine if the disease is present early on, or it may be too late.

The most common cases of cancer are diseases of the reproductive organs, mammary glands or skin.

Improper diet or excessive consumption of food with toxic chemicals or carcinogens are the causes of cancer in cats.

Hereditary pathologies or diseases that were not treated on time can also cause oncology.

Diagnosis of cancer involves a blood test, urine test, examination of internal organs using ultrasound, identification of the nature of carcinogenic cells, which can be malignant or benign.

Skin diseases

Frequent scratching, changes in fur odor, or a cat licking certain parts of the body too often indicates that the chinchilla is likely to be dealing with certain skin conditions.

The reasons that can lead to the development of these conditions are allergies to various foods, inorganic factors and those that surround the animal.

Treatment

Treatment depends not only on the disease, but also on its stage.

Gastritis

Before starting treatment, the veterinarian must determine the cause that led to gastritis, and only in this way he will be able to indicate the methods of struggle depending on the circumstances that caused it.

Most often, the treatment of this condition involves the correction of the diet and careful selection of foods that will form the correct diet.

Recommended in the process of normalizing the state of health are cereals, which play a useful role and form a protective layer around the stomach.

The diet should be applied starting from 2 weeks or more, during this time the amount of food should be controlled and added gradually, so as not to burden the body.

It is necessary to remove harmful products with the wrong composition, those that can cause allergies or worsen health.

Herbal teas or infusions purchased from the pharmacy with a veterinarian’s prescription can improve the condition of the chinchilla.

Urolithiasis

There are 2 types of treatment for urinary tract disease, conservative and surgical.

The choice of a method for removing stones depends on several factors: the age of the British chinchilla, gender, stage of the disease, its symptoms and causes.

And at home, the owners must help the animal fight this disease. They should give the cat the right amount of water, minimize stress, and organize outdoor walks as often as possible. They also need to maintain a diet and medication regimen.

Oncology

Although it is more difficult to diagnose cancer in the early stages, it is still possible. If the pathology has been confirmed, the veterinarian will suggest a treatment method individually for each animal. This can include chemotherapy, immune-stimulating drugs, and the use of hormones.

Individual treatment at home or the use of recommendations provided by persons not qualified in this area is strictly prohibited.

Skin diseases

It is important that during the entire period of treatment you monitor the dynamics of the disease, either it improves, or, on the contrary, becomes more serious.

The veterinarian, after identifying the causes and circumstances of the development of the condition, will prescribe the necessary medications, infusions or a specialized diet that will eliminate the problem.