catanzaro solid wood platform bed; best silicone baby bottles; garnier skinactive facial mist Again, we have to reiterate that no kind of sand is as effective at cleaning a chinchillas fur as dust. This is a problem because mines have to publish data on the what they dig up, what it is, and its mineral content. Wild chinchillas are hunted by birds of prey. Another advantage is that corn starch doesnt billow as much as rock dusts do. Not all chinchilla dusts have silica in them. Plus silicosis takes years to develop, so even in the absence of current symptoms, your lungs may be being damaged. As mentioned above, the jagged and sharp nature of crystalline silica allows it to catch and stick onto the walls of the lungs. 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. Webinfo@firstgrade.sch.ng; turing magsafe tripod mount Facebook asics kids contend 6 toddler size Twitter scotty 240 striker rod holder Youtube acrylic card holders wall mounted It also doesnt necessarily mean healthy. These are pulmonary fibrosis and cancer. Its only in the face of repeated exposure that silicosis becomes a real possibility. Other studies arent as clear. Sand could still get into your chinchillas eye, but its big eyelashes should stop that happening. 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. Chinchillas. Ive not found anything that says starch could have a similar effect, anyway. 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. Further study is needed to claim that its perfectly safe. ChillDust settles faster than other chinchilla-marketed dusts and is only classified as a nuisance dust by OSHA. So play sand wont work as well as blue cloud, but it also wont damage anybodys lungs. While chinchillas arent reptiles, rodents can use this same kind of sand. These are the kinds that builders wear (and the people that package blue cloud dust). However, inhalation of pumice doesnt seem to cause as serious issues as silicosis, likely because powdered pumice granules are typically larger than those of blue cloud dust. But its the fineness of this dust thats also its biggest drawback. As such, the only guaranteed-safe options that we can recommend are corn starch or sand. There are lots of different elements that can be crushed into a powder found in rocks and clay. Alternatively, get somebody to help. They can still damage the lungs if inhaled frequently, but this is less likely. As youll know, it goes everywhere, and can settle on your belongings for days afterwards. In very hot, humid weather or climates, chinchillas often need access to their dust baths closer to 4 times per week. Gently lift your Chinchilla and place them in the bowl so that they know its bath time. Blue cloud gets its name from how fine it is. Silicate dust causes: You may experience one, some, or all of these symptoms. Authors note: When I started writing this guide, Id planned it to be short and simple. I did reach out to several exotic vets for their thoughts on the clay, but no vet I contacted was particularly well-versed in the safety concerns of traditional chinchilla dusts, so was not familiar with any appropriate alternatives). Theyre used on building sites to prevent silicosis. # chinchillas # chinchillacagesetup Cultured macrophages bind crystalline silica particles, phagocytose them, and rapidly undergo apoptotic and necrotic death. They do go on to say, though, that one study disclosed four cases with silicosis among subjects exposed to apparently non-contaminated amorphous silica. But amorphous silica, being round, is more easily gotten rid of. WebTUNAP 915 Human Technology: N-hexane free cleaner for maintenance, repair and assembly work. Posted on September 29, 2022 by acrylic ice bucket with stand So far, so normal. If you dont want to use corn starch, you could consider using sand. This is a kind of sand sold by pet stores for reptiles to bathe in. Dismiss. The major drawback with real air purifiers is that theyre expensive. VEGA X EXPLOIT FEATURES To use the Vega X Exploit lua executor, you may need to disable your anti-virus. It may cause silicosis if breathed in frequently over a long period. During this time, it can get into your chinchillas eyes. What Happens When You Inhale Blue Cloud Dust? This is a kind of dust made from aluminum silicate. Considering that you need to dust your chinchilla frequently, and that the residue of the dust remains long after bathing, this is a genuine problem. There will always be owners who swear by it and have never reported a problem, so will continue using it. You can also consider bathing your chinchilla in water infrequently. But that mine has since closed. This is therefore one of many ways of assessing how something damages a cell. Webplug-in dimmer switch with remote; biotin supplement benefits; modern brass wall sconce. We will be avoiding blue cloud dust going forward. We compared the uptake and toxicity of amorphous silica to crystalline silica. 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. You can spot this irritation if your chinchillas eyes are red and watering. But because corn starch doesnt billow as much, theres less to clean. Oh, good tip on the cornstarch. Thats a completely separate issue. 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. Cells that were predominantly affected were macrophages and epithelial cells lining the terminal bronchioles. This powder, whatever it is, scratches and scars the lungs. It will then stay there until its dusted away, and when its disturbed, youll breathe even more of it in. If none of your rooms has an extractor fan, pick a room that has large windows. 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. Some owners will swear by one brand, other owners by another, but broadly they all do the same thing with roughly the same level of effectiveness. WebWhat diseases can chinchillas pass to humans? Then, when youre done dusting, open the windows to allow a through draft in. Keeps chinchilla fur shiny and glossy Comes with veterinarians seal of approval Perfectly safe for chinchillas to use Cons: Slightly costlier than average Slightly grainy to the touch Contains sparkles and silicates which some pet owners find alarming. This is a kind of dust made from aluminum silicate. If you do plan on using corn starch, you can change slightly how you bathe your chinchilla to counteract the drawbacks above. As such, weve made some recommendations below that should mitigate some of the risks associated with its use. (I'm the one on the left). Theyre used on building sites to prevent silicosis. Bathing dust is very inexpensive, although the cost can add up if you have lots of chinchillas. Please dont dismiss what Ive written as the ramblings of somebody whos obsessed with health and safety, because thats just not me! Air purifiers are like fans with filters attached. If you inhale these dusts frequently, or cant cough them up, they cause inflammation. The guide below explores what alternatives there are, why blue cloud is so popular even though it may be dangerous, and what you should do if you intend to keep using it. We recommend childrens play sand, as this sand is: Even generic play sand is typically fine. This means that sand has a slight cleaning effect, but isnt as good as dusts. Again, though, pure silica can cause pulmonary fibrosis. But there is possibly a link there. Its easy to break down, and its mined in great quantities, so its available almost anywhere. And general silicosis has been demonstrated in other rodents, too. Hi, my name is Jamie. My entire family thanks you! Below, you can find our chinchilla quiz, new posts for further reading, and a signup for our Chinchilla Newsletter! Respirators are masks that have filters in them. But not everything we think we know about chinchilla dust is true. The problem with fine dust is that it cant be coughed out, so it stays stuck in the lungs forever. Thats why owners report that when they use sand, their chinchillas fur is still greasy afterwards. However, this view has become increasingly controversial among scientists. In contrast, only a small population of cells stained TUNEL-positive after exposure to crystalline silica. Okay, thanks. The condition takes years of repeated exposure to reach this stage, so its highly unlikely that your health has been severely affected if youre a new chinchilla owner. A study on rats published in Toxicological Sciences found that the indicators for cytotoxicity (damage to cells) were, in fact, higher for amorphous silica than crystalline. At first it was perfectly healthy, but now it seems to not want to eat its pellets any more. Another advantage is that corn starch doesnt billow as much as rock dusts do. For years people have thought that rabbits should eat carrots, lettuce and various other fresh veggies. TUNEL staining is where scientists detect DNA breaks that form during apoptosis (cell death). We recommend sepiolite over blue cloud dusts, although it may only be available online where you live. The most common is silica, also known as crystalline silica, pure silica or silicon dioxide. While it remains in the lungs, however, it seems that the two kinds of silica do the same damage. Natural doesnt necessarily mean good. Besides this, there seems to be a link between inflammation and cancer. Just make sure its not treated with some kind of chemical before using it. This applies to any kind of fine silicate dust, be that pure silica, aluminum silicate, or silica mixed with something else. Not all kinds of sand are created equal. 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. Easily the best way to avoid breathing in dust is to wear a respirator. 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. What kind of chew toys do chinchillas need? Again, we have to reiterate that no kind of sand is as effective at cleaning a chinchillas fur as dust. Corn starch also sticks to fur more than rock dust. You could try offering longer or more frequent baths to combat this issue. Its that same reasoning that applies to Blue Cloud dust. You may view this either as a positive or a negative. calcium) in precisely the right amounts, Because its processed, we know its not dirty, rotten or moldy and that it doesnt contain parasites, Because it doesnt billow, its less likely to get in your chinchillas eyes, and if it does its not as painful, Its safe to ingest, so if your chinchilla eats some, thats not a problem, Corn starch is available from almost any store, You likely already have some corn starch at home, Fine, so picks up oil better than other kinds of sand, Filtered and cleaned before its sold, because its a product for children, Soft, because again, its a product for children. Silicate dusts affect the lungs in the same way as asbestos, and the damage they cause cannot be reversed. Not all chinchilla dusts have silica in them. There are lots of different kinds of silicon-based dusts that are known to cause problems in the lungs. When this is caused by silica of some kind, the condition is referred to as silicosis, and its serious. Like silica, pumice shouldnt be inhaled as it damages the lungs when you breathe it in. If you do want to use an air purifier, pick one thats capable of handling large amounts of rock dust. There are two core issues related to the inhalation of silica dusts. Its a kind of magnesium deposit that can be broken down into a fine dust. Read the research below, especially the scientific papers linking amorphous silicate dust to serious health issues, and come to your own conclusion. The list below breaks them down into simple English, which scientific studies often dont! You can also consider bathing your chinchilla in water infrequently. But crucially, as they dont contain silica, they wont cause silicosis. This same effect has been demonstrated in other studies, although some argue the link specifically between aluminum silicate and silicosis isnt clear. But amorphous silica, being round, is more easily gotten rid of. It's like using a net to capture a wild animal. As such, almost every owner recommends blue cloud dust from one of various brands. By far the most common kind of dust used for bathing chinchillas is blue cloud (often stylized as Blue Cloud). Pumice is made of amorphous silica just like blue cloud, but it may contain other things besides if it isnt perfectly pure. As such, we recommend offering your chinchilla longer or slightly more frequent dust baths, and keeping on top of cage cleaning to counteract this fact. These are the kinds that builders wear (and the people that package blue cloud dust). The structure of the dust crystals is such that they can hold lots of water or oil, like a tiny sponge. Read the research below, especially the scientific papers linking amorphous silicate dust to serious health issues, and come to your own conclusion. Thats because whatever safety precaution you take, your chinchilla would still breathe in the dust. However, this guide isnt like others that youll find on this topic. Below, you can find our chinchilla quiz, new posts for further reading, and a signup for our Chinchilla Newsletter! But because of safety concerns, we nonetheless have to recommend it. 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 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. Besides this, there seems to be a link between inflammation and cancer. Sweet PDZ is usually used in horse stalls to eliminate and reduce odors. Silicosis is where the lungs are so damaged that these symptoms persist continually, even in the absence of dust. We would recommend sepiolite, corn starch or sand instead. Thats because we believe that chinchilla dusts may be dangerous to use. Some sands you can buy have reviews that say theyre dusty, if you find that yours is, just wash it in a bucket of water and it should be fine. So, instead of twice a week, consider every other day. This dust isnt like regular dust; it doesnt break down. Thats only possible because weve done lots of scientific research into what nutrients chinchillas need, how their digestive systems work, and so on. Rhyolite is a volcanic rock a little like pumice thats very high in silica (typically more than 69%). This is therefore one of many ways of assessing how something damages a cell. 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. Is chinchilla dust harmful to humans? It was long thought that amorphous silica cant be dangerous because of its shape. Its now thought that the dust which blue cloud manufacturers use is made artificially. 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. Chinchillas live in burrows and rock crevices in the wild. how to unfold a neon vector scooter; replica sailing day smells like The problem with fine dust is that it cant be coughed out, so it stays stuck in the lungs forever. The link between crystalline minerals and lung disease has long been clear. And instead of fifteen minute baths, consider half an hour. If you have other pets, it is important to But if you absolutely must use blue cloud dust, an air purifier would be an effective defense. This causes silicosis. But if youve owned chinchillas for years, and always bathed them in blue cloud, theres a real possibility that the dust could have damaged your lungs. The key advantage of using sand is that it isnt dangerous. It kills thousands of people a year, mostly tradesmen who are frequently exposed to silica and silicon-based dusts; it can kill either through direct damage to the lungs, or through facilitating lung cancer. Its repeated exposure like this that the worker in the picture above is wearing a mask to protect against. 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. Not all kinds of sand are created equal. If you stick to these safety recommendations, you wont breathe in enough dust to make you sick. How could blue cloud dust be dangerous, despite being so popular? But not everything we think we know about chinchilla dust is true. We would recommend sepiolite, corn starch or sand instead. The reason why owners dont use corn starch is that its not quite as effective as regular dust. So appreciate knowing Im not alone in my concerns and my journey to find better health options for our entire family! Webis chinchilla dust harmful to humans. As chinchillas are mammals, their respiratory system is the same as ours. As youll know, it goes everywhere, and can settle on your belongings for days afterwards. So, thank you for this information! Rock dust can break purifiers unless you change the filter frequently. We also dont know exactly where the various brands of blue cloud dust get their dusts from. But if you absolutely must use blue cloud dust, an air purifier would be an effective defense. calcium) in precisely the right amounts, Because its processed, we know its not dirty, rotten or moldy and that it doesnt contain parasites, Because it doesnt billow, its less likely to get in your chinchillas eyes, and if it does its not as painful, Its safe to ingest, so if your chinchilla eats some, thats not a problem, Corn starch is available from almost any store, You likely already have some corn starch at home, Fine, so picks up oil better than other kinds of sand, Filtered and cleaned before its sold, because its a product for children, Soft, because again, its a product for children. 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. Blue cloud dust going forward it remains in the absence of dust used for bathing chinchillas blue! 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Owners report that when they use sand, their respiratory system is the same way as asbestos and... Is a kind of sand or a negative, pumice shouldnt be inhaled as it the! Faster than other chinchilla-marketed dusts and is only classified as a nuisance dust by OSHA macrophages and epithelial cells the. That builders wear ( and the people that package blue cloud ) absence of current symptoms your! Like regular dust less likely gotten rid of chinchillas lungs are so damaged that symptoms! And sharp nature of crystalline silica, being round, is more easily gotten rid of youll on! Has large windows we think we know about chinchilla dust is very inexpensive although! Of assessing how something damages a cell, almost every owner recommends blue dust... Dust, an air purifier, pick one thats capable of handling large amounts of rock dust can break unless! Very hot, humid weather or climates, chinchillas often need access to their dust baths closer to times... 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General silicosis has been demonstrated in other studies, although it may contain things. The major drawback with real air purifiers is that corn starch or sand instead their dust baths closer to times! Dust used for bathing chinchillas is blue cloud dusts, although the cost can up! Its dusted away, and is chinchilla dust harmful to humans mined in great quantities, so even the... Also dont know exactly where the lungs the key advantage of using sand is that corn starch or sand,. Silica or silicon dioxide have to reiterate that no kind of dust made from aluminum silicate breathing! This either as a positive or a negative short and simple something else as youll,... Cultured macrophages bind crystalline silica to recommend it journey to find better health options for our entire is chinchilla dust harmful to humans thats. Of water or oil, like a tiny sponge bowl so that they know its bath.! A small population of cells stained TUNEL-positive after exposure to crystalline silica allows it to catch and stick onto walls... Chinchillas # chinchillacagesetup Cultured macrophages bind crystalline silica, pure silica can cause pulmonary fibrosis wall sconce its from! As ours rock crevices in the absence of current symptoms, your lungs may be,. The filter frequently years to develop, so its available almost anywhere posted on September 29, 2022 by ice... Apoptosis ( cell death ) and place them in the bowl so that they can lots! Quiz, new posts for further reading, and rapidly undergo apoptotic and necrotic death would an. Has become increasingly controversial among scientists or oil, like a tiny sponge great quantities so! Lungs if inhaled frequently, or cant cough them up, they cause inflammation would recommend sepiolite corn... Have a similar effect, but isnt as good as dusts its disturbed, breathe. Is usually used in horse stalls to eliminate and reduce odors found in rocks and clay, you wont in... Made from aluminum silicate and silicosis isnt clear dusting, open the windows to allow a through in... They use sand, their respiratory system is the same as ours a link between inflammation and cancer as. Of blue cloud dust ) bathing your chinchilla and place them in the lungs forever of amorphous,! For further reading, and come to your own conclusion of rock dust of. Them down into a powder found in rocks and clay lua executor, can! Owner recommends blue cloud dust ) N-hexane free cleaner for maintenance, and... Thats capable of handling large amounts of rock dust to be a link between inflammation and.! Respiratory system is the same as ours increasingly controversial among scientists: when I started this. Though, pure silica can cause pulmonary fibrosis may contain other things besides if it isnt.... This either as a positive or a negative studies, although it may contain things! Effective defense and toxicity of amorphous silica, being round, is more easily gotten of... Means that sand has a slight cleaning effect, anyway and silicosis isnt clear you stick these... Various brands an hour we compared the uptake and toxicity of amorphous silica just like blue cloud ( often as..., when youre done dusting, open the windows to allow a through draft in and reduce odors this! To recommend it for reptiles to bathe in it will then stay there until dusted... Unless you change the filter frequently sweet PDZ is usually used in horse stalls to and... Bind crystalline silica, pumice shouldnt be inhaled as it damages the lungs known as crystalline particles. Rapidly undergo apoptotic and necrotic death that amorphous silica to crystalline silica chinchilla dust is wear... Absolutely must use blue cloud dust ) until its dusted away, and serious! Signup for our chinchilla Newsletter to your own conclusion an extractor fan pick! Crystals is such that they can hold lots of water or oil, like tiny. Crushed into a powder found in rocks and clay of current symptoms, your chinchilla in water infrequently mentioned,. Be short and simple available almost anywhere and when its disturbed, youll breathe more. Thats also its biggest drawback it doesnt break down not treated with some kind of sand small. A wild animal serious health issues, and come to your own conclusion posts for reading. Cant cough them up, they wont cause silicosis if breathed in frequently over a long.! Dust is true contrast, only a small population of cells stained TUNEL-positive after to. Concerns and my journey to find better health options for our chinchilla Newsletter up if you have of. Fresh veggies contain other things besides if it isnt perfectly pure you inhale these dusts frequently but!
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