• Broken bones (chinchillas bones are tiny and can break if an animal jumps from a high place, such as an owner’s hand)
  
• Cardiomyopathy
  
• Choke/bloat
  
• Constipation
  
• Convulsions (caused by stress or deficiencies in vitamin B or calcium)
  
• Dental problems: jagged or uneven molars (congenital); chipped or malformed incisors may cause drooling
  
• Diabetes mellitus  
  
• Diarrhea
  
• Eye conditions (e.g., inflammation, infection, foreign bodies, conjunctivitus)
  
• Fur biting from stress
  
• Fur Fungus / Ringworm
  
• Giardia
  
• Heat stroke
  
• Malocclusion
  
• Penile hair rings in males/paraphimosis
  
• Respiratory disorders
  
• Traumatic injury (e.g., caused by bites or sharp edges in cages)

Inadequate housing conditions such as high humidity, poor ventilation and overcrowding contribute to an increased incidence of respiratory disease in chinchillas.  Neonatal chinchillas are particularly prone to pneumonia when exposed to cold drafts.  Pneumonia is characterized by inflammation of the lungs and associated airways. 

Causative organisms include Bordetella species, Stretococcus species, and Pasteurella species.  Clinical signs can rapidly progress from nonspecific lethargy to labored, shallow breathing and a marked febrile response.  In advanced stages of the disease, chinchillas will assume a hunched posture and be reluctant to move.  Lesions are often seen in the lungs, ranging from one small area afflicted to complete consolidation. 

Treatment is usually unsuccessful if large areas of consolidation of the lungs are present, abut antibiotics may be helpful with small lesions.  Drug therapy should be complemented with supportive care, minimal stress, and warm, dry housing.  Prophylactic treatment of other clinically unaffected chinchillas can minimize further spread of the disease.

Chinchillas are highly susceptible to listeriosis.  The causative organism is Listeria monocytogenes, and is ordinarily transmitted by the oral-fecal route due to poor sanitation and/or contaminated feed.  Clinical signs, if present, typically occur 48-72 hours post-infection and include anorexia, depression, weight loss, constipation or diarrhea, and abdominal pain. 

Central nervous system signs include droopy ears, head tilt, circling, and convulsions which typically precede death.  Definitive diagnosis is based on bacterial culture and isolation. 

Treatment is usually ineffective once clinical signs are present.  Exposed chinchillas not yet exhibiting clinical signs should be inoculated with prophylactic antibiotics, such as chloramphenicol or oxytetracycline.  A zoonotic potential exists with listeriosis, and is only further complicated by the symptomatic carrier state in chinchillas.