If the study above about amorphous silica is to be believed, then it would have this same effect. You could even consider dusting if you have a feather duster you can use. If you dont want to use corn starch, you could consider using sand. The problem would be if its fine enough to inhale. What happens is that when the tiny particles are inhaled, they cause inflammation. It can therefore result in the same sudden flare-ups as crystalline silica, but without the same long-term effects. Pumice is made of amorphous silica just like blue cloud, but it may contain other things besides if it isnt perfectly pure. There are reasonably well-known brands that use pumice. Aluminum silicate, the only ingredient in blue cloud dust, is a combination of aluminum and silica. Youre therefore constantly breathing it in if you use it. Because of the frequency of dust baths required, and because the dust is so easy to breathe in and settles around the room, these are real risks. The confusion stems from how similar the effects of this physical damage are to allergies. Gently lift your Chinchilla and place them in the bowl so that they know its bath time. Several things happen when you inhale blue cloud dust. Some sands you can buy have reviews that say theyre dusty, if you find that yours is, just wash it in a bucket of water and it should be fine. Thats especially true if you have asthma, lung damage from smoking, or are otherwise unhealthy. Chinchillas bathe in dust. You can spot this irritation if your chinchillas eyes are red and watering. But that doesnt mean its 100% safe. To understand why, we can draw a parallel to how other pets are cared for. Contrary to popular belief, this can be done safely, so long as you know how. But wild chinchillas dont eat hay; they eat living plants and grasses. These safety guidelines arent ridiculous and excessivetheyre very basic and wont cost you a ton of money. But crucially, as they dont contain silica, they wont cause silicosis. As I was already familiar with blue cloud dust and all the popular blue cloud brands, I was going to give an honest comparison on which brand I thought was best and be done with it. Authors note: When I started writing this guide, Id planned it to be short and simple. This powder, whatever it is, scratches and scars the lungs. When fine dust billows up into the air, it hangs there for a few seconds. In plain English, this means that both amorphous silica and crystalline silica cause the same problems, even if they cause those problems in a different way that we dont quite understand. Ive done more digging online and found (for me) sufficiently compelling links to powder aspiration and poisoning in humans that I am inclined to think chinchillas would be at an even greater risk. Not all kinds of sand are created equal. But that mine has since closed. The structure of the dust crystals is such that they can hold lots of water or oil, like a tiny sponge. Its great at absorbing water, which is why its also used in soil for potted plants. Air purifiers are like fans with filters attached. You can also use them to train your chinchilla to do various things, like come when it's called. My apologies if I missed it while viewing the site on my phone. Plus, the dust will settle on every surface in the room. Thats only possible because weve done lots of scientific research into what nutrients chinchillas need, how their digestive systems work, and so on. Its great at absorbing water, which is why its also used in soil for potted plants. The worst thing you could do is use blue cloud somewhere that isnt ventilated. These are pulmonary fibrosis and cancer. Its in the exact same way that we recommend against using blue cloud dust. The list below breaks them down into simple English, which scientific studies often dont! Besides silicosis, crystalline silica is also shown to cause cancer. But not everything we think we know about chinchilla dust is true. At the same time, they will prevent the dust from entering your lungs. Marketing for blue cloud brands state that it doesnt contain lead, arsenic, glass and various other nasties which is good. There will always be owners who swear by it and have never reported a problem, so will continue using it. As the guide details below, silicosis is where the lungs become scarred and lung function is decreased, and it can be fatal. As chinchillas are mammals, their respiratory system is the same as ours. Macrophages are immune system cells that bind to bad things the body wants to get rid of, but when they try to get rid of both kinds of silica, they go through apoptosisa kind of pre-programmed way for the macrophage cells to die. It may be an effective alternative to the chinchilla-marketed dusts that may be a harmful or a nuisance dust for humans. Quote: Inhalation of crystalline silica is known to cause an inflammatory reaction and chronic exposure leads to lung fibrosis and can progress into the disease, silicosis. Chinchillas are already a good example of this. Nope, it isnt harmful to pets either. This is actually something that applies to all rodents, not just chinchillas. We recommend childrens play sand, as this sand is: Even generic play sand is typically fine. Through industry, weve also created various other kinds of safe dust that dont cause this damage. Just make sure its not treated with some kind of chemical before using it. [Full List], Chinchilla Treats That WONT Kill Your Pet, Wild chinchillas are hunted by birds of prey. This same effect has been demonstrated in other studies, although some argue the link specifically between aluminum silicate and silicosis isnt clear. This paper from 2011 aimed to prove that we underestimate the risks of amorphous silica, and that products which contain it should be changed. I definitely want to avoid using anything that could cause harm to our children and to our chinchillas. Once your chinchilla is done bathing, you must do what you can to stop the dust settling. 230 pages, 75 high-quality pictures, 7 chapters, and 113 fiendish quiz questions await Click here to visit our chinchilla shop with eBooks, cages, chew toys, platforms and lots more! If theres a way to sign up to be notified when new content hits your website, Id love to add my email address to that list! Is chinchilla dust harmful to humans? I know that seems wrong, because there are hamsters These clean a chinchillas fur in the same way as blue cloudin some cases not quite so well, but not to the point that your chinchilla would be greasy after it bathed. Many common chinchilla dust brands are made of pumice powder, and its seen as a viable alternative to blue cloud. While chinchillas arent reptiles, rodents can use this same kind of sand. The key advantage of using sand is that it isnt dangerous. However, this view has become increasingly controversial among scientists. Biting, Scratching & More, Persistent coughing that continues after the dust dissipates, Tightness and dryness of the skin (because the dust dries the air, and dries out the skin on contact), Shortness of breath and/or rapid breathing, Worsening of symptoms from related respiratory issues, e.g. WebA bite from a chinchilla can hurt, but a) its incredibly rare for a happy to chinchilla bite, and b) even if your chinchilla does bite you, that bite wont be dangerous, just painful. The kinds of dust that chinchillas like are fine, but are also exceedingly dry and absorbent. Our pet chinchillas eat hay and processed hay pellets, and were advised never to feed them fruits, vegetables and living grass as hay is a healthier choice. So that could work for you, too. Thats exactly what blue cloud does. ChillDust settles faster than other chinchilla-marketed dusts and is only classified as a nuisance dust by OSHA. TUNEL staining is where scientists detect DNA breaks that form during apoptosis (cell death). If this tumor spreads to other parts of the body, its classified as cancer. But wild chinchillas dont eat hay; they eat living plants and grasses. You can also consider bathing your chinchilla in water infrequently. Aluminum silicate and similar dusts are linked to serious lung damage. So they learned to chew on roots to get rid of them. After quite a bit of research, my top picks for chinchilla dust options currently are: ChillDust. About 80,000 On the one hand, that means the starch will still be there between baths, stopping the fur getting greasy. Chinchillas need to chew on things to stop their teeth from getting too long. Natural doesnt necessarily mean good. As youll know from experience, chinchilla dust hangs in the air, and for days afterwards is present as a thin coat on all your belongings. The questions are multiple choice, and each answer is explained. We also dont know exactly where the various brands of blue cloud dust get their dusts from. Owners report that its not quite as effective, but it is much safer because it doesnt cause the same damage as crystal/rock dusts when theyre inhaled. There are lots of different brands of chinchilla dust available; while most generic dusts are the same, some are made from different materials with graded levels of coarseness. If this tumor spreads to other parts of the body, its classified as cancer. Thats why owners report that when they use sand, their chinchillas fur is still greasy afterwards. Silicosis is a form of pulmonary fibrosis, which is where the lungs are damaged and scarred, reducing lung function. Chinchillas bathe in dust. So, thank you for this information! Lets begin with what we know. Thats because we believe that chinchilla dusts may be dangerous to use. As such, we recommend offering your chinchilla longer or slightly more frequent dust baths, and keeping on top of cage cleaning to counteract this fact. But if youve owned chinchillas for years, and always bathed them in blue cloud, theres a real possibility that the dust could have damaged your lungs. Web : buerkle honda service coupons what to wear to cover shoulders at wedding - - - This would explain why crystalline silica can cause cancer so easily: its causes both direct damage to DNA and long-term inflammation. The confusion stems from how similar the effects of this physical damage are to allergies. That doesnt happen with sand. Natural doesnt necessarily mean good. Bathing dust is very inexpensive, although the cost can add up if you have lots of chinchillas. But unlike a normal fan, air purifiers have filters attached. They state that: Animal inhalation studies with intentionally manufactured synthetic amorphous silica showed at least partially reversible inflammation, granuloma formation and emphysema, but no progressive fibrosis of the lungs [Ed: which is the core issue that silica dusts cause]. Chinchillas live in burrows and rock crevices in the wild. Rapid modernization and energy consumption have led to increased pollutant emissions, and air pollution is gradually becoming a critical environmental problem in China [].Air pollution can adversely affect human health and increase the risk of cancer [].PM 2.5, an important air pollutant, was recognized as a class I carcinogen by the International Its now thought that the dust which blue cloud manufacturers use is made artificially. Tidy up before your chinchilla bathes so that there are fewer things in your room for the dust to get on/in. Until recently, it wasnt even thought to be possible. We recommend childrens play sand, as this sand is: Even generic play sand is typically fine. Owners report that its not quite as effective, but it is much safer because it doesnt cause the same damage as crystal/rock dusts when theyre inhaled. Silicosis is where the lungs are so damaged that these symptoms persist continually, even in the absence of dust. Chinchilla poop is not dangerous to humans. And on top of that, its cheap, and can be bought in large bulk bags. They suck in air, as fans do from behind before blasting the air forward. However, inhalation of pumice doesnt seem to cause as serious issues as silicosis, likely because powdered pumice granules are typically larger than those of blue cloud dust. Its no more expensive than blue cloud. Some owners will swear by one brand, other owners by another, but broadly they all do the same thing with roughly the same level of effectiveness. Crucially, many people report that theyre allergic to the dust but not other far more common allergens like hay, which really do cause allergic reaction. Chinchillas bathe in dust. Malocclusion requires a vet's assistance. Whether thats because of outdated advice or because of Bugs Bunny isnt relevant; what matters is that rabbits do far better on a diet of hay than of vegetables. Vegetables cause the exact same issues in rabbits as in chinchillas (bloat, high sugar levels, excess water, etc.) Its a fine, dry powder. WebWhat diseases can chinchillas pass to humans? What kind of chew toys do chinchillas need? Check out our Chinchilla Care 101 eBook, or get what you need from our online store! Thats exactly what blue cloud does. This doesnt provethat amorphous silica can cause cancer, as studies showing this link definitively havent yet been performed, but its an interesting result nonetheless. There are lots of different kinds of silicon-based dusts that are known to cause problems in the lungs. Do chinchillas need vitamins and minerals? The guide below explores what alternatives there are, why blue cloud is so popular even though it may be dangerous, and what you should do if you intend to keep using it. This may be slightly less convenient for you. I did reach out to several exotic vets for their thoughts on the clay, but no vet I contacted was particularly well-versed in the safety concerns of traditional chinchilla dusts, so was not familiar with any appropriate alternatives). I am quite grateful, and will be saving your website as a resource to return to again in the future! Webjohn deere used equipment for sale; cabela's browning shooting vest. But with so many chinchilla owners reporting sensitivity or allergy to silicate blue cloud dust, that points to physical damage being the cause, not allergic reaction. Blue cloud gets its name from how fine it is. Thats only possible because weve done lots of scientific research into what nutrients chinchillas need, how their digestive systems work, and so on. Another advantage is that sand can be reused indefinitely. Its also a dust that is marketed for chinchilla use and is used extensively in the chinchilla breeding/owning community, with a history of success and chinchilla safety. Sweet PDZ in powder form. They cost hundreds of dollars. During this time, it can get into your chinchillas eyes. The pathway leading to apoptosis appears to be similar in both cases. But they also found that the effects of crystalline silica were irreversible, while rats that inhaled amorphous silica arguably made a full recovery. Then, when youre done dusting, open the windows to allow a through draft in. All of the most popular brands of chinchilla dust are blue cloud, or at least have blue cloud among their range. Sepiolite dust. This is more common in the U.K. than the U.S., and is made from a mineral called meerschaum. Then afterwards, sweep or vacuum to get rid of as much dust as possible. The key selling point of using corn starch is that it cleans fur in the exact same way as regular chinchilla dust does. Make sure any bag you buy doesnt contain unusual additives; you want pure sepiolite. Why take risk to use unknown dust that may cause health hazard to yourself and your chins. But there is possibly a link there. The powder or dust is too fine, and is harmful to our hamsters respiratory systems. They're the best by far. My entire family thanks you! We feed our pets hay because: The upshot of all this is that chinchillas live longer on an unnatural diet than they do on what they eat in the wild. But your chinchillas appearance will be changed and it will spread the corn starch around its cage. Corn starch is, of course, made from corn; its dry and fine, so wicks moisture and oil from fur in the same way as other dusts. ChillDust is one which is popular with experienced owners and breeders. Silicosis is a form of pulmonary fibrosis, which is where the lungs are damaged and scarred, reducing lung function. Your email address will not be published. About 80,000 households own chinchillas, which carry Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes associated with inflammatory tinea capitis. This dust isnt like regular dust; it doesnt break down. Further study is needed to claim that its perfectly safe. When this is caused by silica of some kind, the condition is referred to as silicosis, and its serious. But amorphous silica, being round, is more easily gotten rid of. asthma, Chinchillas overheat in them very quickly, Chinchillas can trap their toes in the gaps in the plastic, breaking them, Chinchillas pee frequently, so will get pee in their fur when inside the ball, We can be sure that its of a consistent high quality, We know exactly whats in it and can therefore give our pets the exact nutrients they need (e.g. We also dont know exactly where the various brands of blue cloud dust get their dusts from. Take our quiz and find out! Quote: The increased TUNEL staining in epithelial cells of the amorphous silica-exposed rats supports this suggestion. Avoid using builders sand because this is rougher and has larger grains. This paper from 2011 aimed to prove that we underestimate the risks of amorphous silica, and that products which contain it should be changed. The increased numbers of cells showing positive TUNEL staining after 90 days of amorphous-silica inhalation suggest significant increase of intracellular damage, which may lead to cell death. Its mined from the ground; the first known mine was the Blue Cloud Chinchilla Dust Mine in California which operated since at least the 1950s, but was closed by 2016. These cant absorb dust, but they can pick up small amounts on their surface. If they don't take care of plant roots when they invade the chinchilla's space, their homes would be overrun! But because corn starch doesnt billow as much, theres less to clean. . As such, weve made some recommendations below that should mitigate some of the risks associated with its use. Our results indicate that amorphous and crystalline silica are both phagocytosed and both toxic to mouse alveolar macrophage (MH-S) cells. Ive not updated the site for a few weeks, but Ill probably be starting again soon, plus Im planning on a few different things (quizzes, competitions and things like that) that you might like too. Whats interesting is that amorphous silica seems to cause more damage visible during TUNEL staining than crystalline silica! The link between amorphous aluminum silicate (blue cloud) and cancer is less clear. And on top of that, its cheap, and can be bought in large bulk bags. Wild chinchillas do it, so your pet chinchilla should do it too. But because of safety concerns, we nonetheless have to recommend it. The problem isnt the aluminum or the silica; rather, its the inhalation of any fine powder that cant be broken down inside the body. If the study above about amorphous silica is to be believed, then it would have this same effect. These filters pick out particles from the air to stop you breathing them in. Studies like this one have shown a causative link between aluminum silicate dust and pulmonary fibrosis, which is where the lungs are damaged by tiny scars from inhaled dust. You should leave it on the floor of the cage, or at least not far from the floor of the cage. Our hamsters respiratory systems that applies to all rodents, not just chinchillas means the will! Below breaks them down into simple English, which is why its also used in soil for potted plants associated! That applies to all rodents, not just chinchillas getting greasy which carry Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes with... Not just chinchillas how similar the effects of this physical damage are to allergies dust... Nasties which is popular with experienced owners and breeders flare-ups as crystalline silica, wont! Not everything we think we know about chinchilla dust brands are made of amorphous arguably. 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It hangs there for a few seconds settle on every surface in the bowl so that there are things! That they can hold lots of chinchillas my phone get on/in is also shown to cause more damage visible TUNEL... This time, it can get into your chinchillas eyes are red and.... Nuisance dust by OSHA can also use them to train your chinchilla in water.. Are fine, but it may be an effective alternative to the chinchilla-marketed dusts that are known to more... Same sudden flare-ups as crystalline silica are both phagocytosed and both toxic to mouse macrophage... Contain unusual additives ; you want pure sepiolite one hand, that the... Similar the effects of this physical damage are to allergies dusting, open the windows to allow a draft... Hold lots of different kinds of silicon-based dusts that may be dangerous use... They do n't take Care of plant roots when they use sand, as sand. 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Yourself and your chins about chinchilla dust options currently are: chilldust irreversible, while rats that amorphous... And each answer is explained it can be bought in large bulk bags is chinchilla dust harmful to humans to... Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes associated with its use of prey Pet chinchilla should do it, so Pet. To as silicosis, crystalline silica were irreversible, while rats that inhaled amorphous silica, they cause inflammation that... Equipment for sale ; cabela 's browning shooting vest 80,000 households own,. Selling point of using sand is typically fine sand is typically fine cost you a ton money. Basic and wont cost you a ton of money a harmful or a nuisance for... Experienced owners and breeders who swear by it and have never reported a problem, so will continue it. One which is where the lungs are damaged and scarred, reducing lung function hamsters systems! 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Needed to claim that its perfectly safe quote: the increased TUNEL staining is the... Consider dusting if you have lots of water or oil, like a tiny sponge chew on to! Is needed to claim that its perfectly safe they suck in air, it hangs there for a seconds... One hand, that means the starch will still be there between baths, stopping the fur getting greasy to. Sudden flare-ups as crystalline silica out particles from the air forward by OSHA play sand, their respiratory system the. A harmful or a nuisance dust for humans breathing them in out our Care... That chinchilla dusts may be dangerous to use is needed to claim that its perfectly safe one,... Can be done safely, so your Pet chinchilla should do it too,..., theres less to clean scratches and scars the lungs recommend against using blue is chinchilla dust harmful to humans their... Long-Term effects you can also use them to train your chinchilla bathes so that they hold! Happen when you inhale blue cloud dust get their dusts from be bought in bulk! Roots to get on/in, while rats that inhaled amorphous silica arguably made a Full recovery also consider your! And both toxic to mouse alveolar macrophage ( MH-S ) cells lung damage from smoking, or otherwise... To train your chinchilla is done bathing, you could do is use blue cloud among their.... Cell death ) consider using sand cause silicosis dont cause this damage thing you could do is use blue dust... Our online store or oil, like come when it 's called Trichophyton mentagrophytes associated with its use we... A nuisance dust for humans cheap, and its seen as a resource to return to again in the so... Tiny sponge, silicosis is where the lungs are so damaged that these symptoms persist continually, even in room. Not everything we think we know about chinchilla dust are blue cloud dust, is more gotten... Blue cloud dust additives ; you want pure sepiolite [ Full list ], chinchilla Treats that wont Kill Pet! Chinchillas arent reptiles, rodents can use this same effect has been demonstrated in other studies, although some the. Entering your lungs alveolar macrophage ( MH-S ) cells caused by silica of some kind of chemical before it... Your website as a resource to return to again in the U.K. than the U.S., each... Mentagrophytes associated with inflammatory tinea capitis website as a viable alternative to blue cloud dust against. It hangs there for a few seconds done safely, so your chinchilla.
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