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Sarah Hamilton, Grandeur Chinchillas PLEASE remember that this is not a whole list and also some chins may have a reaction to plants others do not. Do not assume that just because it is not on here it is safe. Treat anything as if you were going to eat it, check anything you feed first. Chinchillas do not ‘throw up’ their food, so if anything is eaten it will be digested. If you think your chinchilla has eaten any of these plants below or any other plant you are unsure of, please take it to the Veterinarian ASAP along with a sample of the plant! If you or your Vet are unsure it is a good idea to take the plant to the Council and they can then identify it for you. If you have house plants, remember to keep them in another room. Some plants, even across the other side of the room away from the Chinchilla, give off scents and pollen which can drift throughout the room. This can make sensitive Chinchillas eyes watery and/or Red. Bittersweet Again this is not a whole list, on a separate page on this site I have made a list of Safe and non Safe woods, so as to not get confused. Here are some signs of Plant Poisoning. With some Plants, symptoms may not appear until several days, so again, if you suspect or if you know you MUST take your Chinchilla to the Veterinarian ASAP, this is only a guide to help you. * Inflammations, Diarrhoea, Laboured breathing, Nausea, Swollen stomach, Hyperactivity/Nervous when not normal, Haemorrhages, Loss of Balance, Shock, Slobbering, Rash (Skin), Erosion of intestinal membranes, Lethargy, dermatitis, Blood in Urine or Faeces, Upset stomach, Seizures, Muscle Tremors/Spasms, Salivation, Swollen or Red Diastema, Asphyxiation (deprived of oxygen), Sight loss, Bad smell in Urine or Faeces, Ulceration, Hallucinations, Death * I have dealt with Plant poisoning on 4 occasions, in those times it was merely an accident on the owner’s part, not purposely fed. Chinchillas are very intelligent and will think about ways they can get to something they want, this and combined with how agile they are, means disaster. The owner misjudged this putting up the plants instead of leaving them in a different room. Sadly only one Chinchilla survived. In consuming the same plant these chinchillas all had different signs, the one Chinchilla that survived showed signs 2 days later, but she had treatment anyway at the same time the others did, which saved her life. But over all Plant Poisoning is a serious thing which is more likely to lead to death, so please contact your Veterinarian. Copyright © Sarah Hamilton
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