What is a hair ring?
A hair ring is formed when loose fur gets trapped in the sheath of a male chinchilla's penis. As the penis retracts, it rolls the loose fur up inside. Just as knots form in hair, a knot can form in the sheath of the penis. Hair rings should be routinely checked for in order to keep your pet happy and healthy.
Misconception: It is commonly believed among pet owners that chinchillas only used for breeding or kept in mixed-sexed pairs can get hair rings. This is false. A single male chinchilla can, and will most likely get hair rings. Even two males caged together can get hair rings due to dominance humping.
Misconception: It is commonly believed among pet owners that chinchillas only used for breeding or kept in mixed-sexed pairs can get hair rings. This is false. A single male chinchilla can, and will most likely get hair rings. Even two males caged together can get hair rings due to dominance humping.
What are signs of a hair ring?Common signs of hair rings are:
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Health risksGenerally a well-kept chinchilla will perform a hair ring check on his own, however some hair rings are very difficult to remove. This is why it's important for a owner to perform a hair ring check.
A hair ring left around the penis can cause many issues. Some complications include Urinary Retention ( which can lead to Urinary tract infections, Kidney issues, bladder damage, etc. ) , loss of circulation ( which can lead to tissue damage, blood poisoning). |
How to check for a hair ring
First, you need to know where to look.
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A male chinchilla has a scrotum ( not always visible ) , a penile cone, and a anus. You will also notice a rather large gap between the penile cone and anus. To check for a hair ring, you need to properly secure your pet so he does not jump around. You may need to seek the help of a friend.
Once you have your chinchilla properly secured, you can gently work the penis out of the sheath. It takes some patients, but can be achieved. If you seem to be having complications in doing so you can use a water-based lubricant to help ease the process.
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When and if you find any fur trapped on or around the penis you will need to remove it. A ring should be able to be worked off, and a small cluster of fur should be able to be pulled off gently. It can take some time, but the goal is to be as gentle as possible.
Fur can vary in color depending on Mutation.
This is a RING which was wrapped around the penis
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If you can not remove the hair ring on your own, you will need to visit your Exotic vet and have them do the procedure. It's neccissary to have it removed and part of being a responsible owner.
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How often should you check?
To start, you should check monthly for a hair ring. Once you get to know your pet's hygiene you can determine how often you need to check. A animal who is known to handle hair rings on their own only needs to be checked every few months, but a chinchilla known to be lazy should be checked once or twice a month.