Neurological examination in healthy chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera)

Abstract

Chinchillas are popular as laboratory models and companion animals, and they can be affected by a variety of infectious and non-infectious neurological diseases. Little information is available on making a neurological diagnosis in this species, in part because the neurological examination has not been standardized in chinchillas and the expected physiological findings in healthy chinchillas have not been reported. In this study, a standardized neurological examination was performed on 30 clinically normal chinchillas. The perineal reflex and the menace response were absent in all chinchillas evaluated and so should not be used as functional tests. Several tests were consistently positive, such as the oculocephalic reflex, maxillary, mandibular and auricular sensations, withdrawal reflexes, thoracic limb paw replacement, and the wheelbarrow test. Other tests, such as the cutaneous trunci reflex and pelvic limb paw replacement, had variable responses. Based on these findings, it is advised that clinicians prioritize tests that can be easily performed without undue stress to the animal, and give consistent results in a healthy patient.