Toxic effect of mineral-vitamin concentrate on chinchillas

In Russia, there is fur chinchilla breeding since these animals have unique fur. Currently, specialized feeds for chinchillas are not produced in sufficient quantities in Russia. Therefore, feeds intended for rabbits are introduced into the animal diets without clear guidelines. The research goal is to study the effect of vitamin-mineral concentrate (hereinafter VMC) for rabbits on chinchillas. The research targets were 80 chinchillas at the age of 1-2 months and from 6 months to 5.5 years, males and females. The chinchilla diet consisted of formula feed pellets Purina Pro for Rabbits, meadow hay, and VMC for rabbits. Milk thistle seeds were used to correct the toxic effect of VMC for rabbits. The following research methods were used: clinical examination, pathological anatomical autopsy, chemical and toxicological studies of hay and formula feed. The following was found: the use (up to 30 days) of VMC for rabbits as a supplement to the main diet of chinchillas (at the age of 1-2 months, and 6 months to 5.5 years), in a dosage of 5.5 and 17 g per 1 animal, respectively, caused intoxication and death of up to 11% of the herd. On the 2nd day from the onset of the disease, deterioration in the general condition was observed. Chinchillas weighing 400-450 grams of the age from 6 months to 1.5 years died earlier than those weighing 450-600 grams. Among female chinchillas that received VMC for rabbits, 9.5% of their litter died. The pathological anatomical autopsies discovered cachexia and acute inflammatory, dystrophic processes in the gastrointestinal tracts and bladders. To correct the toxic effect, milk thistle seeds were used according to the following scheme: the first 14 days - 1 teaspoon (2.5 g per 2 animals once a day and meadow hay for animals of all ages. During the following 14 days - 1 teaspoon per 2 animals twice a week.