Isoflurane (and sevoflurane) gaseous anaesthetics are very well tolerated by chins - much more so than Halothane. When possible request that your vets uses either one.

Less than 1% Isoflurane is metabolised - the rest is merely exhaled for recovery to occur. Recovery is therefore very rapid

Commonly used inhalation anaesthetics ...............

Isoflurane
Sevoflurane

Less commonly used inhalant anaesthetics .......................

Methoxyflurane
Halothane
Desflurane
Nitrous oxide


% of anesthetic metabolised .......................

Methoxyflurane up to 50% is metabolized by the liver and kidneys

Halothane up to 20-25% is metabolized by the liver and kidneys

Sevoflurane 3.0 % is metabolized by the liver and the kidneys

Isoflurane 0.17% is metabolized by the liver and the kidneys

Ensure your chin is well-hydrated before the operation - as this can lessen the risk of adverse effects.

There is no need to starve a chinchilla before an operation.

When you drop the chinchilla off at the vets, take some of the usual food in - just in case the chinchilla needs to stay overnight.

It sometimes helps to write any special instructions down - so the veterinary nurses are aware of any unusual requirements whilst the chin is in their care.

Within the first few hours of getting a chinchilla home after a surgical procedure of any kind, I recommend the following.

* Keep the chinchilla warm

* Ensure the chinchilla is eating within a few hours - to prevent eventual anorexia. Encourage the chinchilla to do so by offering favourite foods (but not too many treats).

* Keep the chinchilla as stress-free as possible by minimising handling and providing a nestbox (or similar) as a retreat.  Ensure the chinchilla is in an area where there is peace and quiet.

*  Make sure the chinchilla drinks - a little pure apple or pineapple juice can be added to the drinking water to encourage drinking.  But only do this if the chinchilla's gut is functioning normally (i.e. they are producing plenty of normal droppings).

Metacam can be prescribed by the vet if extra pain relief is required - or you can give Calpol 6+ (see "First Aid Kit Contents" for correct dosages).  However, please liaise with your vet first as an analgesic injection may well have been given - which can be effective for a couple of days.

An oat and wheatgerm mix can be given to build up chinchillas (see "suppliment recipe").  But feed no more than 1 teaspoon a few times a week - or otherwise the chinchilla will not eat its staple diet (pellets and hay).

Apple or cider vinegar can also be added to the drinking water (10 drops to 250ml water) to help stimulate the appetite and act as a tonic.

For further info on all these (and other) subjects you can do a word-search using the facility at the top of your screen.

I hope that the above is useful.  However, it is worth bearing in mind that although anaesthetic techniques have improved enormously in recent years, there is still a small risk whenever a chinchilla requires surgery.

However, the above tips may help to prevent some adverse post-operative conditions.

Please click here for further information ............

http://www.davidson-chinchillas.co.uk/pages/initial_post_operative_care.php