Okay, thanks. Chinchillas bathe in dust. 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. Scientific studies have shown the link between silica dusts and lung damage. Not all kinds of sand are created equal. The most common is silica, also known as crystalline silica, pure silica or silicon dioxide. During this time, it can get into your chinchillas eyes. 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. Easily the best way to avoid breathing in dust is to wear a respirator. Its no more expensive than blue cloud. These are the kinds that builders wear (and the people that package blue cloud dust). Sepiolite is a mineral thats also known as meerschaum. Cleaning and tidying is one way to achieve that. Its in the exact same way that we recommend against using blue cloud dust. WebIt may be an effective alternative to the chinchilla-marketed dusts that may be a harmful or a nuisance dust for humans. By far the most common kind of dust used for bathing chinchillas is blue cloud (often stylized as Blue Cloud). However, this guide isnt like others that youll find on this topic. If none of your rooms has an extractor fan, pick a room that has large windows. As such, you either have to avoid these dusts or only use them safely. Cleaning and tidying is one way to achieve that. This may be slightly less convenient for you. 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. Is chinchilla dust harmful to humans? But amorphous silica, being round, is more easily gotten rid of. Not all chinchilla dusts have silica in them. I look forward to new issues! These filters pick out particles from the air to stop you breathing them in. 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. The pathway leading to apoptosis appears to be similar in both cases. Aluminum silicate, the only ingredient in blue cloud dust, is a combination of aluminum and silica. As chinchillas are mammals, their respiratory system is the same as ours. Is dust bath safe? 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. We feed our pets hay because: The upshot of all this is that chinchillas live longer on an unnatural diet than they do on what they eat in the wild. We know, or knew, what was dug up from the original Blue Cloud Chinchilla Mine. That doesnt happen with sand. The key difference you need to understand is that between crystalline and amorphous aluminum silicate dusts. In some of the forum discussions I found, it sounded like there were several chinchilla owners who were using it with success. Silicosis is a form of pulmonary fibrosis, which is where the lungs are damaged and scarred, reducing lung function. Studies like this one have shown a causative link between aluminum silicate dust and pulmonary fibrosis, which is where the lungs are damaged by tiny scars from inhaled dust. But unlike a normal fan, air purifiers have filters attached. asthma, Chinchillas overheat in them very quickly, Chinchillas can trap their toes in the gaps in the plastic, breaking them, Chinchillas pee frequently, so will get pee in their fur when inside the ball, We can be sure that its of a consistent high quality, We know exactly whats in it and can therefore give our pets the exact nutrients they need (e.g. It can therefore result in the same sudden flare-ups as crystalline silica, but without the same long-term effects. catanzaro solid wood platform bed; best silicone baby bottles; garnier skinactive facial mist Thats only possible because weve done lots of scientific research into what nutrients chinchillas need, how their digestive systems work, and so on. how to unfold a neon vector scooter; replica sailing day smells like Silicosis is a form of pulmonary fibrosis, which is where the lungs are damaged and scarred, reducing lung function. This dust isnt like regular dust; it doesnt break down. As youll know, it goes everywhere, and can settle on your belongings for days afterwards. The major drawback with real air purifiers is that theyre expensive. After quite a bit of research, my top picks for chinchilla dust options currently are: ChillDust. These are the kinds that builders wear (and the people that package blue cloud dust). 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. I also just came across a forum discussion about using aragonite sand as a substitute. It will cause breathing difficulties and coughing. But because corn starch doesnt billow as much, theres less to clean. Again, though, pure silica can cause pulmonary fibrosis. We recommend slightly more frequent, longer dust baths if youre using corn starch. 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. What has likely also played a part is the idea that you can be allergic to dust, which is true; but a dust allergy is an allergy to dander, not to mineral dust. Aluminum silicate and similar dusts are linked to serious lung damage. By far the most common kind of dust used for bathing chinchillas is blue cloud (often stylized as Blue Cloud). This should be worrying for a chinchilla owner, especially if you frequently give your pets dust baths. However, blue cloud dust is made from amorphous aluminum silicate rather than the crystalline kind, so the link between it and silicosis is less clear. Silicate dusts affect the lungs in the same way as asbestos, and the damage they cause cannot be reversed. As such, almost every owner recommends blue cloud dust from one of various brands. Several things happen when you inhale blue cloud dust. This applies to any kind of fine silicate dust, be that pure silica, aluminum silicate, or silica mixed with something else. Pumice is made of amorphous silica just like blue cloud, but it may contain other things besides if it isnt perfectly pure. Other studies arent as clear. Vegetables cause the exact same issues in rabbits as in chinchillas (bloat, high sugar levels, excess water, etc.) It will then stay there until its dusted away, and when its disturbed, youll breathe even more of it in. The key advantage of using sand is that it isnt dangerous. But there is possibly a link there. How could blue cloud dust be dangerous, despite being so popular? But not everything we think we know about chinchilla dust is true. You want a mask with a filter, like a 3M mask, a P2 mask or a P3 mask. How could blue cloud dust be dangerous, despite being so popular? Sepiolite seems safer than silicate dusts. It was long thought that amorphous silica cant be dangerous because of its shape. If an infection develops because of this, it can cause serious complications. The powder or dust is too fine, and is harmful to our hamsters respiratory systems. These filters filter out particulate dust, while some even claim to filter out smoke, germs and molds. The dust bath routine is not only a self-cleaning behavior, they also love it. This rhyolite is then processed to get rid of anything that isnt aluminum silicate. This one, for example, similarly looked at the effects of amorphous silica. This not only cleans their coats, but it protects them by eliminating extra oils and moisture. ChillDust is one which is popular with experienced owners and breeders. Great site! The pathway leading to apoptosis appears to be similar in both cases. 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. About 80,000 Can you point me in a direction for a childrens play sand that does not contain crystalline silica? The worst thing you could do is use blue cloud somewhere that isnt ventilated. It also contains a fair amount of aluminum, making it perfect for creating aluminum silicate dusts. [Full List], Chinchilla Treats That WONT Kill Your Pet, Wild chinchillas are hunted by birds of prey. And if any sand is breathed in, it can be coughed up again, meaning it wont permanently damage the lungs. As mentioned above, the jagged and sharp nature of crystalline silica allows it to catch and stick onto the walls of the lungs. (I'm the one on the left). Several things happen when you inhale blue cloud dust. Silicate dust causes: You may experience one, some, or all of these symptoms. The kinds of dust that chinchillas like are fine, but are also exceedingly dry and absorbent. They do go on to say, though, that one study disclosed four cases with silicosis among subjects exposed to apparently non-contaminated amorphous silica. However, it can contain parasites that can be harmful to other animals. These safety guidelines arent ridiculous and excessivetheyre very basic and wont cost you a ton of money. 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. Tidy up before your chinchilla bathes so that there are fewer things in your room for the dust to get on/in. This study states that while evidence of cancer stemming from inhalation of amorphous silicate is scarce, there are cancer markers that are present after inhalation. There are many reports of blue cloud dust triggering allergies. These masks let in air from above and below, so do nothing to combat tiny particles of dust. Make sure any bag you buy doesnt contain unusual additives; you want pure sepiolite. 1) Blue cloud DOES NOT contain NO arsenic, NO lime, or NO free silica. Its a kind of magnesium deposit that can be broken down into a fine dust. This means the body cant get rid of the dust specks easily. They suck in air, as fans do from behind before blasting the air forward. If you didnt have a chinchilla and youd never owned a rabbit, youd likely think the same. Web : buerkle honda service coupons what to wear to cover shoulders at wedding - - - We would recommend sepiolite, corn starch or sand instead. Blue cloud is commonly marketed as 100% natural, which is true. We feed our chinchillas a diet unlike that which they eat in the wild. , especially if you didnt have a chinchilla owner, especially if you frequently your. Blasting the air forward its disturbed, youll breathe even more of it in silica... Some, or silica mixed with something else against using blue cloud dust your... 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