Stress-induced Cushing's syndrome in fur-chewing chinchillas

• DOI: 10.1556/avet.50.2002.2.1
• Publication Date: 2004-08-26T20:03:10Z
• Authors: Marina Tišljar; D. Janić; Ž. Grabarević
• Keywords: Chinchilla; Histopathology; Follicular Cyst

One of the most serious problems in chinchilla industry is 'fur-chewing', when bites off areas its own or some other animal's fur. The condition generally develops both genders at age 6-8 months. In farms Croatia an incidence 15-20% has been observed. A pathomorphological, microbiological and parasitological investigation was conducted on eleven 6- to 11-month-old chinchillas sexes with clinical symptoms 'fur-chewing' three without such signs. Histopathology adrenal glands chewed skin revealed changes typical Cushing's syndrome 'fur-chewed' chinchillas, as hyperkeratinisation epidermis, epidermal atrophy, pronounced follicular sebaceous gland follicles comedo formations presence calcium salts subcutis.