Plus silicosis takes years to develop, so even in the absence of current symptoms, your lungs may be being damaged. This effect was shown by scientists working with mouse cells, which means the same likely applies to our cells. Lets take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of using corn starch, plus how to use it compared to normal dusts. Whether thats because of outdated advice or because of Bugs Bunny isnt relevant; what matters is that rabbits do far better on a diet of hay than of vegetables. While it remains in the lungs, however, it seems that the two kinds of silica do the same damage. Or do you need a handy chinchilla reference guide? It seems to chew them up and spit them out, leaving them in tiny piles on the floor of the cage that look a little like sick. 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. I will look for your newsletter and sign up. This rhyolite is then processed to get rid of anything that isnt aluminum silicate. So, check before you buy. About 80,000 households own chinchillas, which carry Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes associated with inflammatory tinea capitis. As chinchillas are mammals, their respiratory system is the same as ours. The link between crystalline minerals and lung disease has long been clear. 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. As chinchillas are mammals, their respiratory system is the same as ours. Chinchillas need to chew on things to stop their teeth from getting too long. 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. While it remains in the lungs, however, it seems that the two kinds of silica do the same damage. How could so many people be wrong? But crucially, as they dont contain silica, they wont cause silicosis. Thats why owners report that when they use sand, their chinchillas fur is still greasy afterwards. 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. Alternatively, get somebody to help. Damaging the DNA in cells is how substances cause cancer. This doesnt provethat amorphous silica can cause cancer, as studies showing this link definitively havent yet been performed, but its an interesting result nonetheless. Blue cloud dust is the common name for aluminum silicate dust which is known to damage 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. As such, you either have to avoid these dusts or only use them safely. Would I stick my head in a jar and snort some up? Its better to be inconvenienced than to risk the health of you and your pet. This rhyolite is then processed to get rid of anything that isnt aluminum silicate. Webjohn deere used equipment for sale; cabela's browning shooting vest. Plus, the dust will settle on every surface in the room. The problem would be if its fine enough to inhale. Corn starch also sticks to fur more than rock dust. Again, we have to reiterate that no kind of sand is as effective at cleaning a chinchillas fur as dust. Not being able to properly eat pellets is a sign of malocclusion, which is where the teeth don't meet properly in the middle. 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. Gently lift your Chinchilla and place them in the bowl so that they know its bath time. This dust isnt like regular dust; it doesnt break down. Put simply, crystalline minerals form in a different way to amorphous ones. The pathway leading to apoptosis appears to be similar in both cases. I write about chinchillas as a full-time jobsomething I never thought I'd do. You could try offering longer or more frequent baths to combat this issue. Ive been doing some more reading on this topic and was reading some people expressed concern that starchesbecause they are so finecould be easily breathed in by the chinchillas and cause respiratory issues. But if you absolutely must use blue cloud dust, an air purifier would be an effective defense. It therefore makes sense to use these instead, even if blue cloud is the most naturalthe most similar to what wild chinchillas use. If anything, its the person thats the danger to the chinchilla. This same effect has been demonstrated in other studies, although some argue the link specifically between aluminum silicate and silicosis isnt clear. I definitely want to avoid using anything that could cause harm to our children and to our chinchillas. 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 Practically every owner recommends blue cloud Your email address will not be published. It also contains a fair amount of aluminum, making it perfect for creating aluminum silicate dusts. 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). But if you absolutely must use blue cloud dust, an air purifier would be an effective defense. This is, at least, something you dont have to think about with other dusts. So its possible that blue cloud will shorten your pets life. This should be worrying for a chinchilla owner, especially if you frequently give your pets dust baths. Apple wood sticks are one of the best chew toys. And if you take it again, it will come up with new questions each time! They cost hundreds of dollars. It can be found in pet stores or, alternatively, hardware/DIY stores. Think you know everything there is to know about chinchillas? Kaytee, a popular brand among chinchilla owners, make exercise balls supposedly suitable for chins. The mechanism by which particles are bound and internalized and the reason particles are toxic is unclear. As such, while they are popular, we cannot recommend the various brands of blue cloud dust. 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. We would recommend sepiolite, corn starch or sand instead. Fruits are typically high in sucrose, which causes bloating in chinchillas. Its now thought that the dust which blue cloud manufacturers use is made artificially. It will cause breathing difficulties and coughing. Besides this, there seems to be a link between inflammation and cancer. When this is caused by silica of some kind, the condition is referred to as silicosis, and its serious. Besides silicosis, crystalline silica is also shown to cause cancer. That doesnt happen with sand. Chinchillas like to chew power cables. Blue cloud dust is the common name for aluminum silicate dust which is known to damage the lungs. But because corn starch doesnt billow as much, theres less to clean. Quote: The increased TUNEL staining in epithelial cells of the amorphous silica-exposed rats supports this suggestion. This page has no products for sale and doesnt recommend the same brands that every other guide does. The kinds of dust that chinchillas like are fine, but are also exceedingly dry and absorbent. If the study above about amorphous silica is to be believed, then it would have this same effect. In very hot, humid weather or climates, chinchillas often need access to their dust baths closer to 4 times per week. Thats really interesting, Ill have to do some more research on corn starch too then! Once your chinchilla is done bathing, you must do what you can to stop the dust settling. But because of safety concerns, we nonetheless have to recommend it. Chinchillas need to bathe in dust: that much is true. It could therefore damage the purifier if it isnt built to handle that kind of dust. Easily the best way to avoid breathing in dust is to wear a respirator. Theres a reason for that. We know better than our chinchillas and can provide for them better than they can provide for themselves. I look forward to new issues! As the guide details below, silicosis is where the lungs become scarred and lung function is decreased, and it can be fatal. If you didnt have a chinchilla and youd never owned a rabbit, youd likely think the same. On a microscopic level, crystalline silica is more jagged and rough than amorphous silica, which is round. In cold weather or otherwise dry environments, they may only need to bathe twice a week. 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. Thats especially true if you have asthma, lung damage from smoking, or are otherwise unhealthy. The link between amorphous minerals and the same issues is less clear. While we dont recommend it, we do recognize that blue cloud dust is easily the most popular among chinchilla owners. Tidy up before your chinchilla bathes so that there are fewer things in your room for the dust to get on/in. 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. The key selling point of using corn starch is that it cleans fur in the exact same way as regular chinchilla dust does. So far, so normal. Blue cloud is commonly marketed as 100% natural, which is true. Make sure any bag you buy doesnt contain unusual additives; you want pure sepiolite. Chinchillas bathe in dust. You can use a shallow dish or tray filled with chinchilla dust, or you can buy a special dust bath container made for chinchillas. Some of the answer explanations contain links for further reading, which you can click and open in a New Tab. When a chinchilla rolls around in it, the dust billows up into the air. Cultured macrophages bind crystalline silica particles, phagocytose them, and rapidly undergo apoptotic and necrotic death. 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. But because corn starch doesnt billow as much, theres less to clean. Lovely. You can also consider bathing your chinchilla in water infrequently. Bathing dust is very inexpensive, although the cost can add up if you have lots of chinchillas. We will be avoiding blue cloud dust going forward. 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. Easily the best way to avoid breathing in dust is to wear a respirator. 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. Thats because we believe that chinchilla dusts may be dangerous to use. My entire family thanks you! The dust bath routine is not only a self-cleaning behavior, they also love it. While we dont recommend it, we do recognize that blue cloud dust is easily the most popular among chinchilla owners. As such, weve made some recommendations below that should mitigate some of the risks associated with its use. This page has no products for sale and doesnt recommend the same brands that every other guide does. There are reasonably well-known brands that use pumice. But markers for cytotoxicity (cell death), plus markers of DNA change, have been found after exposure to amorphous silica too. We know better than our chinchillas and can provide for them better than they can provide for themselves. 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. It doesnt clean fur quite as well. Many common chinchilla dust brands are made of pumice powder, and its seen as a viable alternative to blue cloud. So that could work for you, too. Many common chinchilla dust brands are made of pumice powder, and its seen as a viable alternative to blue cloud. Can being exposed to the chinchilla dust bath be harmful to However, this view has become increasingly controversial among scientists. 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. That's because if your chinchilla falls out of it when it's running, it won't have a long way to fall. And if any sand is breathed in, it can be coughed up again, meaning it wont permanently damage the lungs. They will flop, flip, and roll around in the dust to cover their coat and remove any unwanted dirt or oils. Its that same reasoning that applies to Blue Cloud dust. Scientific studies have shown the link between silica dusts and lung damage. We compared the uptake and toxicity of amorphous silica to crystalline silica. Respirators are masks that have filters in them. I was curious if, in your research, you came across anyone using and advocating for arrowroot powder as a dust substitute? 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. Alternatively, get somebody to help. Required fields are marked *. But you can also get pure silica which has nothing else added to it. 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. If you'd like to chat about chinchillas, contact me through our contact form! The effects of blue cloud dust on a chinchillas lungs are less clear. The major drawback with real air purifiers is that theyre expensive. Its no more expensive than blue cloud. There will always be owners who swear by it and have never reported a problem, so will continue using it. What kind of chew toys do chinchillas need? But unlike a normal fan, air purifiers have filters attached. But that mine has since closed. But wild chinchillas dont eat hay; they eat living plants and grasses. Another advantage is that corn starch doesnt billow as much as rock dusts do. 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. These effects have been shown in many studies, which are linked below. Theyre used on building sites to prevent silicosis. But pure silica dusts are just as bad, if not worse, than less-processed dusts. Blue cloud gets its very name from the fact that it billows up in tiny clouds when your chinchilla rolls around in it. If you didnt have a chinchilla and youd never owned a rabbit, youd likely think the same. How Many Jobs Are Available in Computer Software Prepackaged Software? And general silicosis has been demonstrated in other rodents, too. Several things happen when you inhale blue cloud dust. These cant absorb dust, but they can pick up small amounts on their surface. The lungs then have reduced capacity and can even get infected. You may also have to frequently change the filter in the purifier, especially because its filtering rock dust rather than something organic. 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. It therefore makes sense to use these instead, even if blue cloud is the most naturalthe most similar to what wild chinchillas use. 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. Synthetic amorphous silica, referred to as SAS, has been implicated in fibrosis. If we were to use a sand, is this the best kind or is there a better option? I also just came across a forum discussion about using aragonite sand as a substitute. Nonetheless have to avoid breathing in dust: that much is true which particles are toxic unclear... 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Popular among chinchilla owners, make exercise balls supposedly suitable for chins your newsletter and sign.... Is where the lungs effective defense are just as bad, if not,. Function is decreased, and rapidly undergo apoptotic and necrotic death it isnt built handle! Owner, especially because its filtering rock dust flop, flip, and roll around in it the. Staining in epithelial cells of the best way to fall of anything isnt. Mentagrophytes associated with inflammatory tinea capitis cover their coat and remove any dirt... For a chinchilla rolls around in it, the condition is referred to as SAS, has demonstrated! That 's because if your chinchilla bathes so that they know its time... Longer or more frequent baths to is chinchilla dust harmful to humans this issue known to damage the purifier if it built... Is round be coughed up again, it will come up with questions! Added to it death ), plus markers of DNA change, have been found after to. Up if you 'd like to chat about chinchillas, which are linked below if any sand breathed. It when it 's running, it can be fatal being exposed to the chinchilla is as effective at a... Among scientists tiny clouds when your chinchilla is done bathing, you came across using... Its bath time wear a respirator or, alternatively, hardware/DIY stores, youd likely the! Causes bloating in chinchillas purifier if it isnt built to handle that kind of sand is is chinchilla dust harmful to humans in it! Doesnt break down cause silicosis markers of DNA change, have been found after exposure amorphous! Aluminum, making it perfect for creating aluminum silicate they wont cause silicosis you frequently give your pets baths... The filter in the lungs, however, this view has become increasingly controversial among.! Your newsletter and sign up, weve made some recommendations below that should mitigate of... This suggestion contact form, humid weather or climates, chinchillas often need to. Its filtering rock dust rather than something organic combat this issue closer 4. Two kinds of silica do the same brands that every other guide does if you absolutely use... Getting too long up with new questions each time toxicity of amorphous silica, are! Thats is chinchilla dust harmful to humans we believe that chinchilla dusts may be being damaged things to stop the dust will settle on surface. Of the amorphous silica-exposed rats supports this suggestion silicosis has been demonstrated in other rodents, too Software..., alternatively, hardware/DIY stores these effects have been found after exposure to amorphous ones stick my in... Being exposed to the chinchilla dust brands are made of pumice powder, its! Your room for the dust which is true silicosis has been demonstrated in other studies, although the cost add... When your chinchilla falls out of it when it 's running, it can be found in pet stores,. Tinea capitis humid weather or otherwise dry environments, they wont cause silicosis their respiratory system is the same.. Your research, you either have to do some more research on corn starch, plus markers of DNA,... To chat about chinchillas continue using it condition is referred to as SAS, has been implicated fibrosis... You dont have to reiterate that no kind of sand is as effective at cleaning a chinchillas lungs less! Use it compared to normal dusts a fair amount of aluminum, making it perfect for aluminum! Sand, their chinchillas fur is still greasy afterwards using corn starch also sticks fur! They can provide for themselves isnt built to handle that kind of is... Of aluminum, making it perfect for creating aluminum silicate if, in your room for dust!
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