Those cases which require immediate, extensive treatment and special aftercare should be placed in the hands of a veterinarian. Two or three special roomy cages with solid bottoms and a large door should be present on every ranch for the housing of injured animals. Some injuries such as broken bones or foreign bodies in the eye can be made more serious by excessive or careless handling or ignorance in the proper method of handling. Such animals should be move to quiet, warm quarters and professional advice obtained as soon as possible. If injuries are not severe the chinchilla usually will less disturbed if left in its own pen during convalescence.
Some chinchillas when isolated, suffer from boredom and refuse to eat or resort to fur-chewing.
When injuries result from a fight the more aggressive animal should be removed. Special diets are not necessary unless the appetite is depressed. Animals so treated soon learn and are eager to take nourishment from the dropper without it being necessary to handle them at all. Pablum, a few raisins, or choice fresh greens are helpful to induce an animal to resume eating. As soon as the appetite returns, or if the animal doesn t lose its appetite, the regular diet should be fed.