A wound can be defined as - a cut or break in the continuity of any tissue caused by injury or operation.
There are many different types of wounds. The most common found in chinchilla keeping will be:

Surgical Wounds
Traumatic - amputations (e.g. toes), bites, abrasions, bruising
Burns
Abcess
Chronic Ulcers (such as bumblefoot)

It is important to assess the wound first and foremost to try to establish the underlying cause (so further occurrences may be prevented where possible) and to formulate a treatment plan.

Assessment of the wound should include:

General condition of the animal, clinical signs of infection which include the surrounding skin condition (red, hot, fluctuant [squishy]), pus, lost fur, the wound itself (including colour of the wound, depth, size), any bleeding or fluid loss, position of the wound, and underlying cause.

Once the assessment has been made it should be possible to formulate a treatment plan.

Please note that referral to a qualified veterinarian is essential if infection is suspected or the owner does not have the experience and confidence to deal with the wound.

It is imperative that wounds are inspected daily for signs of infection which are:

Localised (around the wound site) redness, swelling.

Localised heat, pain. (difficult to gauge in a chinchilla because they are good at hiding pain).

Increased exudate (fluid coming from the wound).

Friable wound (delicate wound tissue - bleeds easily).

Odour - wound smells bad.

General increase in body temperature (difficult to judge with a chinchilla).

Wound management works on the same principles for animals as humans - research has found that the optimum environment for wound healing is one which is moist and warm. However, this is also the optimum environment for bacterial reproduction - so always check for signs of infection when treating any wound.

Never use cotton wool to clean wounds - the fibres which get left behind in the wound can slow down the wound healing and lead to increased risk of infection (fur should also be clipped away from the edges of wounds and the wound cleaned with saline for the same reason). It is also very painful to remove cotton wool fibres from a wound - Use a lint free gauze swab.

All wounds should be monitored for changes in appearance, unusual bleeding, or infection - Veterinary advice must be sought if this is noticed.

It is not possible to go into all the variations of wounds and the care which can be given but some suggestions of wounds and treatment regimes are as follows:

Superficial, small wounds: (eg. Scrapes, minor cuts, minor bites)

Cleanse with normal saline (salt water 1 tablespoon in a cup of boiled, cooled water).
If the wound is very superficial and is small then it can be left to heal without any treatment.
The wound should be monitored daily for signs of infection (as above).

Superficial, large wounds: (eg. extensive scrapes, bites, unexplained skin lesions).
Cleanse with sterile water (cooled, boiled water)
Clip the fur away from the edge of the wound (to prevent it getting stuck to the wound bed).
Apply a cream to keep the surface of the wound moist (reduces pain and allows the wound to heal faster). An example of a suitable cream is green cream (bunnymail).
Monitor for infection and refer to vet if concerned.
Apply ointment/creams as prescribed by your vet.

Simple amputations (eg. Bitten through toes)
Check wound for signs of bone protruding from the wound (will be creamy coloured and hard). If bone is present in the wound bed then a veterinary opinion is essential.
Cleanse wound with saline
Monitor daily for signs of infection
Allow to self heal or use ointments/creams as prescribed by your vet.

Surgical Wounds: (eg. After abdominal surgery, castration, removal of tumour)
Monitor wounds for signs of infection.
Monitor for signs of the chinny removing the stitches.
Monitor for signs of wound edges opening.
Veterinary opinion if required.

Bumblefoot:
Provide soft areas in the cage for pressure relief.
Check for signs of infection.
Spray areas with Purple Spray if required.
Veterinary intervention is necessary if the wounds continue to break open, bleed, or become infected.
Use creams as prescribed by your vet.


Cavity wounds/abcess: (cavity wound is a deep hole).
Always require veterinary intervention however the basic principles are as follows:
Fur should be clipped away from the wound edges (to prevent the fur from becoming stuck to the wound )
Flush wound with saline/irrigation fluid supplied by vet, ensuring that all the fluid comes back out of the cavity. This may require a syringe technique which your vet should teach you.
If the wound is open, use a suitable gel such as IntraSite (or veterinary prescribed treatment) to keep the wound bed moist.
Keep the wound entrance open - this will prevent fluid from building up in the wound, causing pain, infection and further abcess.
Monitor the wound for signs of infection.

I hope that this proves of interest and is helpful.

Please note ALL bite wounds should be referred for veterinary intervention. Bite wounds may look superficial at the surface but may be fatal if left untreated - there is a serious risk of abcessation, deep tissue trauma, infection, and rapid deterioration and death due to severe shock. ALL chins with bite injuries must be treated for shock and taken for immediate veterinary advice.

Article Written by Claire Davidson. © 

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