If an infection develops because of this, it can cause serious complications. So far, so normal. Webis chinchilla dust harmful to humans. Because of how fine it is, it perfectly mimicks the volcanic ash that wild chinchillas roll around in, and its the best at absorbing moisture and oil in your pets fur. They suck in air, as fans do from behind before blasting the air forward. There are reasonably well-known brands that use pumice. This doesnt provethat amorphous silica can cause cancer, as studies showing this link definitively havent yet been performed, but its an interesting result nonetheless. Thats a completely separate issue. Again, we have to reiterate that no kind of sand is as effective at cleaning a chinchillas fur as dust. When this is caused by silica of some kind, the condition is referred to as silicosis, and its serious. Its repeated exposure like this that the worker in the picture above is wearing a mask to protect against. This applies to any kind of fine silicate dust, be that pure silica, aluminum silicate, or silica mixed with something else. Its also used for cleaning yellow fur in chinchillas. You want a mask with a filter, like a 3M mask, a P2 mask or a P3 mask. # chinchillas # chinchillacagesetup But there is possibly a link there. If you inhale these dusts frequently, or cant cough them up, they cause inflammation. While it remains in the lungs, however, it seems that the two kinds of silica do the same damage. Considering that you need to dust your chinchilla If you have a reaction to blue cloud dust, that doesnt mean youre allergic, it almost certainly means that the dust is physically damaging your lungs and airways. The mechanism by which particles are bound and internalized and the reason particles are toxic is unclear. These safety guidelines arent ridiculous and excessivetheyre very basic and wont cost you a ton of money. Just had another thought: I wonder if organic, lead-free bentonite clay would be a safer option, and possibly just as effective as blue cloud? There are lots of different kinds of silicon-based dusts that are known to cause problems in the lungs. So they learned to chew on roots to get rid of them. Think you know everything there is to know about chinchillas? Check out our Chinchilla Care 101 eBook, or get what you need from our online store! While we dont recommend it, we do recognize that blue cloud dust is easily the most popular among chinchilla owners. by | Sep 29, 2022 | e11 led bulb 150w equivalent dimmable | fortnite x marvel: zero war codes | Sep 29, 2022 | e11 led bulb 150w equivalent dimmable | fortnite x marvel: zero war codes This confusion over the symptoms of silica dust reaction and allergy has led to even experienced owners dismissing the idea of a deeper problem with chinchilla dust. The key difference you need to understand is that between crystalline and amorphous aluminum silicate dusts. Plus, the dust will settle on every surface in the room. This study states that while evidence of cancer stemming from inhalation of amorphous silicate is scarce, there are cancer markers that are present after inhalation. This means that sand has a slight cleaning effect, but isnt as good as dusts. It therefore makes sense to use these instead, even if blue cloud is the most naturalthe most similar to what wild chinchillas use. We feed our chinchillas a diet unlike that which they eat in the wild. 1. Besides this, there seems to be a link between inflammation and cancer. 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. 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. You may also have to frequently change the filter in the purifier, especially because its filtering rock dust rather than something organic. As such, while they are popular, we cannot recommend the various brands of blue cloud dust. As such, almost every owner recommends blue cloud dust from one of various brands. Considering that you need to dust your chinchilla frequently, and that the residue of the dust remains long after bathing, this is a genuine problem. Webcrocs kadee flat size 9 / essential streetwear pieces / is chinchilla dust harmful to humans. So, thank you for this information! Sand could still get into your chinchillas eye, but its big eyelashes should stop that happening. . This causes silicosis. Thats why owners report that when they use sand, their chinchillas fur is still greasy afterwards. Ideally, you want a room with an extractor fan, like your bathroom. Aragonite sand would be my second because of terrain location considerations (i.e., chinchillas dwell in the mountains; aragonite sand comes from the ocean seabed). (ruled out for respiration concerns for humans and chinchillas) playsands (ruled out for human safety concerns) aragonite sand (ruled out for concern over the presence of microorganisms and the difference in natural terrain, which chinchillas from mountainous regions and aragonite sand harvested from the ocean seabed) Montmorillonite clay (was one of my top contenders, actually, following Sweet PDZ, because it could offer similar benefits to chinchillas and humans, but ultimately ruled out because I couldnt find any chinchilla owner using it, so I would want to run this by an exotic vet first. 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. Its easy to break down, and its mined in great quantities, so its available almost anywhere. Chinchillas live in burrows and rock crevices in the wild. If you have other pets, it is important to When fine dust billows up into the air, it hangs there for a few seconds. Cancer begins when DNA in a cell is mutated, and spreads to form a tumor. In cold weather or otherwise dry environments, they may only need to bathe twice a week. Practically every owner recommends blue cloud dust, but we believe that blue cloud is dangerous for you and your pet if it isnt used properly. What Chinchilla DUST is SAFE? This powder, whatever it is, scratches and scars the lungs. But there is possibly a link there. Lets take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of using corn starch, plus how to use it compared to normal dusts. If you stick to these safety recommendations, you wont breathe in enough dust to make you sick. If you dont want to use corn starch, you could consider using sand. Chinchillas are already a good example of this. If you didnt have a chinchilla and youd never owned a rabbit, youd likely think the same. There are many such deposits across the United States, however, so blue cloud dust is still available. 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. Blue cloud is commonly marketed as 100% natural, which is true. Hi, my name is Jamie. Quote: The increased TUNEL staining in epithelial cells of the amorphous silica-exposed rats supports this suggestion. Thats why owners report that when they use sand, their chinchillas fur is still greasy afterwards. But you can also get pure silica which has nothing else added to it. The lungs then have reduced capacity and can even get infected. But amorphous silica, being round, is more easily gotten rid of. It also contains a fair amount of aluminum, making it perfect for creating aluminum silicate dusts. Theres a reason for that. These filters pick out particles from the air to stop you breathing them in. Its a kind of magnesium deposit that can be broken down into a fine dust. As youll know, it goes everywhere, and can settle on your belongings for days afterwards. Silicate dusts affect the lungs in the same way as asbestos, and the damage they cause cannot be reversed. Alternatively, get somebody to help. Okay, thanks. At first it was perfectly healthy, but now it seems to not want to eat its pellets any more. 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. There will always be owners who swear by it and have never reported a problem, so will continue using it. WebWhat diseases can chinchillas pass to humans? 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. 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. The problem isnt the aluminum or the silica; rather, its the inhalation of any fine powder that cant be broken down inside the body. 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. They will flop, flip, and roll around in the dust to cover their coat and remove any unwanted dirt or oils. They're the best by far. It may cause silicosis if breathed in frequently over a long period. Whats interesting is that amorphous silica seems to cause more damage visible during TUNEL staining than crystalline silica! This page has no products for sale and doesnt recommend the same brands that every other guide does. This powder, whatever it is, scratches and scars the lungs. Amorphous silica, being round, stands much less chance of doing so; it can therefore be more easily coughed out. Air purifiers are like fans with filters attached. As such, the only guaranteed-safe options that we can recommend are corn starch or sand. While this is a sign that its fine, so is good for bathing, these clouds make it a task to clean up after your chinchillas bath. Until recently, it wasnt even thought to be possible. But that mine has since closed. You want a mask with a filter, like a 3M mask, a P2 mask or a P3 mask. This book teaches you everything you need to know for your chinchilla to live a long, healthy, happy lifeand for you to build a strong, loving bond with them. You may also have to frequently change the filter in the purifier, especially because its filtering rock dust rather than something organic. But if you absolutely must use blue cloud dust, an air purifier would be an effective defense. In very hot, humid weather or climates, chinchillas often need access to their dust baths closer to 4 times per week. Lets begin with what we know. Silicon is one of the elements of the periodic table. 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. Its that same reasoning that applies to Blue Cloud dust. Theyre used on building sites to prevent silicosis. Aluminum silicate, the only ingredient in blue cloud dust, is a combination of aluminum and silica. While it isnt clear what effect aluminum silicate has on chinchillas, we know that silicate dusts can cause silicosis in other rodents, and that the chinchillas respiratory system is just like ours; we therefore recommend steering clear of any dust that could harm your pets health. As chinchillas are mammals, their respiratory system is the same as ours. Required fields are marked *. This paper from 2011 aimed to prove that we underestimate the risks of amorphous silica, and that products which contain it should be changed. Blue cloud gets its very name from the fact that it billows up in tiny clouds when your chinchilla rolls around in it. Many common chinchilla dust brands are made of pumice powder, and its seen as a viable alternative to blue cloud. But the more I read and researched this topic, I felt that there was more to the story than just which brand is best. So, instead of twice a week, consider every other day. Youre therefore constantly breathing it in if you use it. The problem with fine dust is that it cant be coughed out, so it stays stuck in the lungs forever. Just make sure its not treated with some kind of chemical before using it. And if any sand is breathed in, it can be coughed up again, meaning it wont permanently damage the lungs. It's like using a net to capture a wild animal. Another advantage is that sand can be reused indefinitely. Breeders use it to bathe their chinchillas before shows. Dust can be reused to an extent, but must eventually be thrown away. This means the body cant get rid of the dust specks easily. Again, though, pure silica can cause pulmonary fibrosis. As such, weve made some recommendations below that should mitigate some of the risks associated with its use. How could so many people be wrong? This causes silicosis. Even with beneficial minerals, though, it would be wise to take care and minimize the amount of mineral breathed in while dusting chinchillas. While this is a sign that its fine, so is good for bathing, these clouds make it a task to clean up after your chinchillas bath. They do go on to say, though, that one study disclosed four cases with silicosis among subjects exposed to apparently non-contaminated amorphous silica. It could therefore damage the purifier if it isnt built to handle that kind of dust. We feed our chinchillas a diet unlike that which they eat in the wild. If I can find one, thats my first choice right now, I think. While no studies have been done on silicosis in chinchillas that specifically relate to aluminum silicate, its possible that it would have the same effect. 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. 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 they also found that the effects of crystalline silica were irreversible, while rats that inhaled amorphous silica arguably made a full recovery. But if you absolutely must use blue cloud dust, an air purifier would be an effective defense. (I'm the one on the left). Several things happen when you inhale blue cloud dust. We know, or knew, what was dug up from the original Blue Cloud Chinchilla Mine. What has likely also played a part is the idea that you can be allergic to dust, which is true; but a dust allergy is an allergy to dander, not to mineral dust. Why take risk to use unknown dust that may cause health hazard to yourself and your chins. calcium) in precisely the right amounts, Because its processed, we know its not dirty, rotten or moldy and that it doesnt contain parasites, Because it doesnt billow, its less likely to get in your chinchillas eyes, and if it does its not as painful, Its safe to ingest, so if your chinchilla eats some, thats not a problem, Corn starch is available from almost any store, You likely already have some corn starch at home, Fine, so picks up oil better than other kinds of sand, Filtered and cleaned before its sold, because its a product for children, Soft, because again, its a product for children. Vegetables cause the exact same issues in rabbits as in chinchillas (bloat, high sugar levels, excess water, etc.) It doesnt clean fur quite as well. Oh, good tip on the cornstarch. Dust can be reused to an extent, but must eventually be thrown away. Any kind of nice, clean sand that doesnt puff into clouds when your chin rolls in it should be OK. This one, for example, similarly looked at the effects of amorphous silica. 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. Practically every owner recommends blue cloud Below, you can find our chinchilla quiz, new posts for further reading, and a signup for our Chinchilla Newsletter! This should be worrying for a chinchilla owner, especially if you frequently give your pets dust baths. Cultured macrophages bind crystalline silica particles, phagocytose them, and rapidly undergo apoptotic and necrotic death. Sand could still get into your chinchillas eye, but its big eyelashes should stop that happening. But wild chinchillas dont eat hay; they eat living plants and grasses. This one, for example, similarly looked at the effects of amorphous silica. Its not as good as fine dusts for cleaning chinchilla fur, but its better than using nothing, and it will trigger your pets bathing reflex. So long as your chinchillas coat seems clean it should be fine! Aluminum silicate, the only ingredient in blue cloud dust, is a combination of aluminum and silica. Its also used for cleaning yellow fur in chinchillas. These little animals are associated with human salmonellosis, and they carry various mycobacteria. In contrast, only a small population of cells stained TUNEL-positive after exposure to crystalline silica. And on top of that, its cheap, and can be bought in large bulk bags. Rhyolite is a volcanic rock a little like pumice thats very high in silica (typically more than 69%). As chinchillas are mammals, their respiratory system is the same as ours. They can still damage the lungs if inhaled frequently, but this is less likely. It also contains a fair amount of aluminum, making it perfect for creating aluminum silicate dusts. Blue cloud gets its name from how fine it is. These little animals are associated with human salmonellosis, and they carry various mycobacteria. The key selling point of using corn starch is that it cleans fur in the exact same way as regular chinchilla dust does. 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. P.S. 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! Treats are a good way of telling a new chinchilla that you're friendly. Hi all, I hope you can help me out on these two questions that my wife is curious about. You can also consider bathing your chinchilla in water infrequently. Webjohn deere used equipment for sale; cabela's browning shooting vest. Wild chinchillas do it, so your pet chinchilla should do it too. Through industry, weve also created various other kinds of safe dust that dont cause this damage. Alternatively, you could use reptile sand. Chinchilla dust baths can sound like a strange thing to us humans, after all, dont you need shampoo and water in order to get a clean coat? We pampered our chinnies just like you! Its no more expensive than blue cloud. Thats exactly what blue cloud does. Great site! Web : buerkle honda service coupons what to wear to cover shoulders at wedding - - - It could therefore damage the purifier if it isnt built to handle that kind of dust. Once your chinchilla is done bathing, you must do what you can to stop the dust settling. We recommend childrens play sand, as this sand is: Even generic play sand is typically fine. However, this view has become increasingly controversial among scientists. Chinchillas like to chew power cables. Kaytee, a popular brand among chinchilla owners, make exercise balls supposedly suitable for chins. While chinchillas arent reptiles, rodents can use this same kind of sand. There are lots of different kinds of silicon-based dusts that are known to cause problems in the lungs. Silicate dust causes: You may experience one, some, or all of these symptoms. But its the fineness of this dust thats also its biggest drawback. Take our quiz and find out! The problem would be if its fine enough to inhale. On a microscopic level, crystalline silica is more jagged and rough than amorphous silica, which is round. Chinchillas bathe in dust. Chinchillas bathe in dust. But because corn starch doesnt billow as much, theres less to clean. If you do plan on doing this, dont use a surgical mask or a cheap face mask. The pathway leading to apoptosis appears to be similar in both cases. These effects have been shown in many studies, which are linked below. But experienced owners call these death balls because: Here, experienced owners can see that just because something is popular, and just because a popular brand manufactures and sells something, that doesnt mean its suitable for chinchillas/chinchilla owners.
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