Another advantage is that corn starch doesnt billow as much as rock dusts do. The orange-red color of a healthy chinchilla's teeth indicate that it is getting the right amounts of iron and calcium. Put simply, crystalline minerals form in a different way to amorphous ones. Many common chinchilla dust brands are made of pumice powder, and its seen as a viable alternative to blue cloud. Thats exactly what blue cloud does. This means that sand has a slight cleaning effect, but isnt as good as dusts. They can still damage the lungs if inhaled frequently, but this is less likely. 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. Make sure any bag you buy doesnt contain unusual additives; you want pure sepiolite. Not all chinchilla dusts have silica in them. They arent even a danger towards children. This is therefore one of many ways of assessing how something damages a cell. Thats why builders and tradesmen who work in environments with lots of silicate dust in the air can stay safe just by wearing a respirator. This causes silicosis. Just make sure its not treated with some kind of chemical before using it. The key difference you need to understand is that between crystalline and amorphous aluminum silicate dusts. Respirators are masks that have filters in them. Please dont dismiss what Ive written as the ramblings of somebody whos obsessed with health and safety, because thats just not me! Scientific studies have shown the link between silica dusts and lung damage. 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. 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. This would explain why crystalline silica can cause cancer so easily: its causes both direct damage to DNA and long-term inflammation. Kaytee, a popular brand among chinchilla owners, make exercise balls supposedly suitable for chins. They suck in air, as fans do from behind before blasting the air forward. We recommend slightly more frequent, longer dust baths if youre using corn starch. In very hot, humid weather or climates, chinchillas often need access to their dust baths closer to 4 times per week. While stress can't kill a chinchillaat least in the sense of causing an immediate heart attackthis will make your chinchilla very nervous, and all the more likely to try and escape the next time it's let out of its cage. Practically every owner recommends blue cloud Wild chinchillas are hunted by birds of prey. It will cause breathing difficulties and coughing. Marketing for blue cloud brands state that it doesnt contain lead, arsenic, glass and various other nasties which is good. Its no more expensive than blue cloud. 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. The key selling point of using corn starch is that it cleans fur in the exact same way as regular chinchilla dust does. So that could work for you, too. WebChinchillas take dust baths as a way of self-cleaning their coats. But blue cloud dust isnt the exact same thing as pure silica, which may be why it isnt recognized as dangerous despite, perhaps, being so. But even so, we dont recommend using blue cloud. Damaging the DNA in cells is how substances cause cancer. It also contains a fair amount of aluminum, making it perfect for creating aluminum silicate dusts. 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. However, blue cloud dust is made from amorphous aluminum silicate rather than the crystalline kind, so the link between it and silicosis is less clear. For years people have thought that rabbits should eat carrots, lettuce and various other fresh veggies. Vitamins and minerals are vital for organ function, muscle function and brain function in all animals. However, blue cloud dust is made from amorphous aluminum silicate rather than the crystalline kind, so the link between it and silicosis is less clear. Plus, the dust will settle on every surface in the room. This rhyolite is then processed to get rid of anything that isnt aluminum silicate. Avoid using builders sand because this is rougher and has larger grains. Treats are a good way of telling a new chinchilla that you're friendly. If you didnt have a chinchilla and youd never owned a rabbit, youd likely think the same. 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. And general silicosis has been demonstrated in other rodents, too. These cant absorb dust, but they can pick up small amounts on their surface. If this tumor spreads to other parts of the body, its classified as cancer. How could blue cloud dust be dangerous, despite being so popular? There will always be owners who swear by it and have never reported a problem, so will continue using it. The effects of blue cloud dust on a chinchillas lungs are less clear. Think you know everything there is to know about chinchillas? The most common is silica, also known as crystalline silica, pure silica or silicon dioxide. If you didnt have a chinchilla and youd never owned a rabbit, youd likely think the same. White teeth indicate that it isn't getting enough, while black teeth would be the result of rotting. Plus, the dust will settle on every surface in the room. As such, while they are popular, we cannot recommend the various brands of blue cloud dust. This is a kind of sand sold by pet stores for reptiles to bathe 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. 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. Its a fine, dry powder. Read the research below, especially the scientific papers linking amorphous silicate dust to serious health issues, and come to your own conclusion. There are many reports of blue cloud dust triggering allergies. TUNEL staining is where scientists detect DNA breaks that form during apoptosis (cell death). This will get rid of much of the dust. Studies on whether it causes lung damage have so far stated that it doesnt, although that doesnt prove definitively that it cant. You can spot this irritation if your chinchillas eyes are red and watering. Thats because whatever safety precaution you take, your chinchilla would still breathe in the dust. Some of the answer explanations contain links for further reading, which you can click and open in a New Tab. To understand why, we can draw a parallel to how other pets are cared for. We would recommend sepiolite, corn starch or sand instead. Its just as bad to breathe this dust in as it is to breathe in as your chinchilla is bathing; repeated, frequent or constant exposure is what you have to avoid. While we dont recommend it, we do recognize that blue cloud dust is easily the most popular among chinchilla owners. No probably not, but it isnt a toxic Blue cloud gets its name from how fine it is. There are many reports of blue cloud dust triggering allergies. Let's say you've had your chinchilla a while now. These filters filter out particulate dust, while some even claim to filter out smoke, germs and molds. VEGA X EXPLOIT FEATURES To use the Vega X Exploit lua executor, you may need to disable your anti-virus. You could even consider dusting if you have a feather duster you can use. It could therefore damage the purifier if it isnt built to handle that kind of dust. Studies on whether it causes lung damage have so far stated that it doesnt, although that doesnt prove definitively that it cant. Furthermore, sand is less likely to get in your chinchillas eye and cause irritation. 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? P.P.S. If you do plan on doing this, dont use a surgical mask or a cheap face mask. As such, the only guaranteed-safe options that we can recommend are corn starch or sand. 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. Quote: The increased TUNEL staining in epithelial cells of the amorphous silica-exposed rats supports this suggestion. This effect isnt well understood yet, but it seems that chronic irritation and inflammation are an indispensible participant in the process of cells turning cancerous and spreading. But even so, we dont recommend using blue cloud. On the one hand, that means the starch will still be there between baths, stopping the fur getting greasy. The reason why owners dont use corn starch is that its not quite as effective as regular dust. If there is a difference between amorphous and crystalline silica, it will be due to the difficulty with which they can be expressed from the lungs. Pumice dust is dust made from powdered pumice stone. Hi, my name is Jamie. Chinchillas bathe in dust. Authors note: When I started writing this guide, Id planned it to be short and simple. 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. how to unfold a neon vector scooter; replica sailing day smells like Your email address will not be published. These safety guidelines arent ridiculous and excessivetheyre very basic and wont cost you a ton of money. Here are the most common types used: The finer the dust, the better it cleans. While chinchillas arent reptiles, rodents can use this same kind of sand. Its better to be inconvenienced than to risk the health of you and your pet. 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. Fruits are typically high in sucrose, which causes bloating in chinchillas. This means the body cant get rid of the dust specks easily. P.S. While sepiolite and pumice dont cause as serious effects, they still leave deposits in the lungs when inhaled. The link between amorphous minerals and the same issues is less clear. Make sure any bag you buy doesnt contain unusual additives; you want pure sepiolite. . That doesnt happen with sand. Aluminum silicate, the only ingredient in blue cloud dust, is a combination of aluminum and silica. Several things happen when you inhale blue cloud dust. Lets take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of using corn starch, plus how to use it compared to normal dusts. This is a reasonable question. However, silicon-based dusts are known to be dangerous to inhale. These filters pick out particles from the air to stop you breathing them in. But blue cloud dust isnt the exact same thing as pure silica, which may be why it isnt recognized as dangerous despite, perhaps, being so. But that doesnt mean its 100% safe. Dust can be reused to an extent, but must eventually be thrown away. Wild chinchillas do it, so your pet chinchilla should do it too. Contrary to popular belief, this can be done safely, so long as you know how. Kaytee, a popular brand among chinchilla owners, make exercise balls supposedly suitable for chins. Aluminum silicate and similar dusts are linked to serious lung damage. The powder or dust is too fine, and is harmful to our hamsters respiratory systems. Amorphous silica, being round, stands much less chance of doing so; it can therefore be more easily coughed out. It was long thought that amorphous silica cant be dangerous because of its shape. So, instead of twice a week, consider every other day. Lets begin with what we know. On a microscopic level, crystalline silica is more jagged and rough than amorphous silica, which is round. Thank you so much for this informative article. I dont think Ive read of arrowroot being used before, but since its so similar to corn starch, I would guess that it would be roughly as good! New owner, don't know where to start? Ideally, you want a room with an extractor fan, like your bathroom. That doesnt happen with sand. Theres a reason for that. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. But wild chinchillas dont eat hay; they eat living plants and grasses. Sweet PDZ is a non-toxic refresher that helps By far the most common kind of dust used for bathing chinchillas is blue cloud (often stylized as Blue Cloud). Thats a completely separate issue. The link between crystalline minerals and lung disease has long been clear. The likely reason that amorphous silica isnt shown to cause cancer is that it doesnt remain in the body as crystalline silica does. Wild chinchillas do it, so your pet chinchilla should do it too. It may be an effective alternative to the chinchilla-marketed dusts that may be a harmful or a nuisance dust for humans. If we were to use a sand, is this the best kind or is there a better option? Through industry, weve also created various other kinds of safe dust that dont cause this damage. 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. 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. Please dont dismiss what Ive written as the ramblings of somebody whos obsessed with health and safety, because thats just not me! I write about chinchillas as a full-time jobsomething I never thought I'd do. Aluminum silicate and similar dusts are linked to serious lung damage. While we dont recommend it, we do recognize that blue cloud dust is easily the most popular among chinchilla owners. Is dust bath safe? But chinchillas don't need all the ones that we do; they can make their own vitamin C, for example, unlike us. 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. You may view this either as a positive or a negative. Its only in the face of repeated exposure that silicosis becomes a real possibility. Malocclusion requires a vet's assistance. 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. Air purifiers are like fans with filters attached. WebWhat diseases can chinchillas pass to humans? When a chinchilla rolls around in it, the dust billows up into the air. Cancer begins when DNA in a cell is mutated, and spreads to form a tumor. It also doesnt necessarily mean healthy. My apologies if I missed it while viewing the site on my phone. Lets begin with what we know. If they don't take care of plant roots when they invade the chinchilla's space, their homes would be overrun! If you inhale these dusts frequently, or cant cough them up, they cause inflammation. Once your chinchilla is done bathing, you must do what you can to stop the dust settling. 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. Damaging the DNA in cells is how substances cause cancer. There are lots of different elements that can be crushed into a powder found in rocks and clay. Not all kinds of sand are created equal. In contrast, only a small population of cells stained TUNEL-positive after exposure to crystalline silica. After quite a bit of research, my top picks for chinchilla dust options currently are: ChillDust. Its no more expensive than blue cloud. Its easy to break down, and its mined in great quantities, so its available almost anywhere. The effects of blue cloud dust on a chinchillas lungs are less clear. 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. As chinchillas are mammals, their respiratory system is the same as ours. But your chinchillas appearance will be changed and it will spread the corn starch around its cage. Another example is the idea of the exercise ball. 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). This will get rid of much of the dust. As such, you either have to avoid these dusts or only use them safely. It is considered a nuisance dust by the E.P.A. You can spot this irritation if your chinchillas eyes are red and watering. So its possible that blue cloud will shorten your pets life. All you have to do is wear one when your chinchilla is bathing, and you wont breathe in any of the dust. All you have to do is wear one when your chinchilla is bathing, and you wont breathe in any of the dust. They can still damage the lungs if inhaled frequently, but this is less likely. This may be slightly less convenient for you. It will then stay there until its dusted away, and when its disturbed, youll breathe even more of it in. Silicosis was one of the very first workplace-related health issues, because people working with or around crystalline silica have been experiencing this condition for a hundred years or more now. Thats why owners report that when they use sand, their chinchillas fur is still greasy afterwards. Corn starch also sticks to fur more than rock dust. You want a mask with a filter, like a 3M mask, a P2 mask or a P3 mask. Ventilation stops the dust from hanging in the air when its in use. If these effects continue for many years, whether because the dust is continually inhaled or because it cant be coughed up again, it can cause serious health issues like fibrosis. Im really glad you like our site! So far, so normal. To understand why, we can draw a parallel to how other pets are cared for. However, it can contain parasites that can be harmful to other animals. Several things happen when you inhale blue cloud dust. The lungs then have reduced capacity and can even get infected. But that hasnt stopped generation after generation of busy parents and happy children feeding their bunnies vegetables. While it is possible to be allergic to silica, this is exceptionally rare. There are reasonably well-known brands that use pumice. Or, again, you could give your chinchilla occasional water baths to stop grease building up too much. If the study above about amorphous silica is to be believed, then it would have this same effect. Webcrocs kadee flat size 9 / essential streetwear pieces / is chinchilla dust harmful to humans. Did you come across any validation of these concerns in your research? 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. So they learned to chew on roots to get rid of them. But that mine has since closed. The lungs then have reduced capacity and can even get infected. So, check before you buy. We recommend slightly more frequent, longer dust baths if youre using corn starch. Thats why builders and tradesmen who work in environments with lots of silicate dust in the air can stay safe just by wearing a respirator. Thats especially true if you have asthma, lung damage from smoking, or are otherwise unhealthy. It does also have certain advantages, and is completely safe, with no chance of causing silicosis/pulmonary fibrosis. In some of the forum discussions I found, it sounded like there were several chinchilla owners who were using it with success. Can you use treats to make a chinchilla like you? You could try offering longer or more frequent baths to combat this issue. This is a problem because mines have to publish data on the what they dig up, what it is, and its mineral content. If Dust Is So Dangerous, How Come Wild Chinchillas Use It? Thank you again for your guidance! Crystalline silica is jagged, so can attach itself to the walls of the lungs. Like silica, pumice shouldnt be inhaled as it damages the lungs when you breathe it in. Cultured macrophages bind crystalline silica particles, phagocytose them, and rapidly undergo apoptotic and necrotic death. How to Make Homemade BBQ Sauce: Tips for Canning Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe, Executive Coaching: Job Description & Salary, Five Characteristics of a Successful Event Planner, Motivating Salespeople: What Really Works, 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. If an infection develops because of this, it can cause serious complications. Rhyolite is a volcanic rock a little like pumice thats very high in silica (typically more than 69%). The key advantage of using sand is that it isnt dangerous. If none of your rooms has an extractor fan, pick a room that has large windows. If these effects continue for many years, whether because the dust is continually inhaled or because it cant be coughed up again, it can cause serious health issues like fibrosis. Ill keep that in mind! This will largely reduce the amount that you and your chinchilla breathe in. 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. If this tumor spreads to other parts of the body, its classified as cancer. We also dont know exactly where the various brands of blue cloud dust get their dusts from. But pure silica dusts are just as bad, if not worse, than less-processed dusts. Natural doesnt necessarily mean good. Its also used for cleaning yellow fur in chinchillas. If you do want to use an air purifier, pick one thats capable of handling large amounts of rock dust. This will largely reduce the amount that you and your chinchilla breathe in. Not all kinds of sand are created equal. The key advantage of using sand is that it isnt dangerous. You can use them to get your chinchilla close to you for the first time, or to sit on your hand for the first time. But that mine has since closed. The confusion stems from how similar the effects of this physical damage are to allergies. Advantages of Using Corn Starch for Bathing Chinchillas, Drawbacks of Using Corn Starch for Bathing Chinchillas, How to Use Corn Starch for Bathing 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. This not only cleans their coats, but it protects them by eliminating extra oils and moisture. Lovely. We also dont know exactly where the various brands of blue cloud dust get their dusts from. What happens is that when the tiny particles are inhaled, they cause inflammation. If I can find one, thats my first choice right now, I think. Other advantages include: Corn starch isnt a kooky home remedy; its already used by many owners. Whats interesting is that amorphous silica seems to cause more damage visible during TUNEL staining than crystalline silica! But they also found that the effects of crystalline silica were irreversible, while rats that inhaled amorphous silica arguably made a full recovery. 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. 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. However, this view has become increasingly controversial among scientists. This material is more commonly used in the U.K. than the U.S. Contrary to popular belief, this can be done safely, so long as you know how. Chinchillas bathe in dust. 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. Thanks again, LoveMyChinchilla, for posting this article and prompting my research deep-dive! So appreciate knowing Im not alone in my concerns and my journey to find better health options for our entire family! Chinchillas are already a good example of this. If you do plan on using corn starch, you can change slightly how you bathe your chinchilla to counteract the drawbacks above. Besides this, there seems to be a link between inflammation and cancer. Pumice dust is dust made from powdered pumice stone. This powder, whatever it is, scratches and scars the lungs. Its great at absorbing water, which is why its also used in soil for potted plants. Crystalline silica is jagged, so can attach itself to the walls of the lungs. 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. 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. I would say give it a go, and if it works for you the same as or better than corn starch, go for it. 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
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