members comments below were copied from message board
Had a phone call early this morning from a distraught owner. her chinchilla was laying panting and looked really ill. I asked her what the chinchilla had been doing before this happened.
She said the chinchilla had been playing in his exercise ball. I explained it may be heat-stroke. She thought not as it was quite cool as the windows were open.
I hated to tell her but an exercise ball is very heated. Especially when chinnies are running about a lot. The motion of the ball naturally does make the chinchilla move, even when tired.
I told her how to get his temperature quickly down. However it was too late. Shortly after the chinchilla had a fit/stroke and died, the emergency cool down was not quick enough. I felt so sorry for the owner. Just through not realising the dangers of exercise balls she had lost her chinnie. I have never had an exercise ball. Don't even know if they come with a warning about overheating? perhaps a member can clue me in on this? Would be grateful if they did.
A very sad_____Aileen
This is such a sad story, Aileen. The exercise ball I bought said to not keep the animal in the ball for more than 20 minutes. Kirby is only in his for the time it takes me to clean his cage which is up to, but not quite 20 minutes. That is so sad, but I am glad you are bringing this point up. Kirby loves his ball and I think he would keep going in it if I didn't stop him. That can be dangerous. Sonya.
oh the poor we creature. i can just see it. him running and running. when you talk to the owner again telll he i am sorry to hear that bye my ball had a sticker on it too. bye Sam
Conclusion seems to be that the manufacturers do add warnings for owners to adhere to. Many owners will have these balls. Some chinchillas have indeed died. I would ask all owners buying these to keep within or lower than the time stated by the manufacturer. Also choose the correct time of day. Mainly, the coolest time.A chinchilla cannot sweat as a human does. Also follow Sonya's golden rule above 20 mins or less and use discretion regards temperarure of room. It will be warmer in the ball (due to chinnie body heat).
CHINCHILLA WHEELS
If it get's to worst case scenario. COOL the chinchilla down asp!
To cool down, a chinnies system removes heat by a surge of blood flow. If very hot, as often in summer, the blood moves faster. It circulates and shows as a pink red in the ears. Can be easily seen and is the first sign of a chinnie being too hot. look closely at the ears and you will see what I mean.
Heat is then lost through the ears to cool the chinnie down. To be laying on side shows extreme over heating and may indeed prove fatal. Get the chinnie cooled down asp. A quick cool down is needed.
Try a cool cloth on ears. Move the chinnie to the coolest part of the house.
Winter in a home is often very hot for a chinnie with heating and so on. allow exercise with caution.
Remember too, heatstroke is a killer of chinchillas and must be quickly dealt with. in an emergency I may be contacted by phone 44 (UK) 01592 571038
If anyone is still worried about this subject or would like to discuss it further please add a post to the problems message board HERE
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