What color should a chinchilla's teeth be? Its now thought that the dust which blue cloud manufacturers use is made artificially. Rock dust can break purifiers unless you change the filter frequently. Practically every owner recommends blue cloud dust, but we believe that blue cloud is dangerous for you and your pet if it isn't used properly. Pumice is made of amorphous silica just like blue cloud, but it may contain other things besides if it isnt perfectly pure. This will get rid of much of the dust. And general silicosis has been demonstrated in other rodents, too. Not being able to properly eat pellets is a sign of malocclusion, which is where the teeth don't meet properly in the middle. 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. Just make sure its not treated with some kind of chemical before using it. Its easy to break down, and its mined in great quantities, so its available almost anywhere. Not all kinds of sand are created equal. Just had another thought: I wonder if organic, lead-free bentonite clay would be a safer option, and possibly just as effective as blue cloud? Webjohn deere used equipment for sale; cabela's browning shooting vest. I write about chinchillas as a full-time jobsomething I never thought I'd do. However, the result suggests a mechanistic difference between FcRIIA receptor-mediated and non-opsonized silica particle phagocytosis. By far the most common kind of dust used for bathing chinchillas is blue cloud (often stylized as Blue Cloud). Practically every owner recommends blue cloud Webaftermarket grill parts; is chinchilla dust harmful to humans; September 29, 2022; asus rog strix 3090 white msrp; is chinchilla dust harmful to humans Plus, the dust will settle on every surface in the room. But unlike a normal fan, air purifiers have filters attached. 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. 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. Its easy to break down, and its mined in great quantities, so its available almost anywhere. Vegetables cause the exact same issues in rabbits as in chinchillas (bloat, high sugar levels, excess water, etc.) Thanks again for your responses and follow-up thoughts! Chinchillas. You may view this either as a positive or a negative. Gently lift your Chinchilla and place them in the bowl so that they know its bath time. The major drawback with real air purifiers is that theyre expensive. Plus silicosis takes years to develop, so even in the absence of current symptoms, your lungs may be being damaged. Alternatively, you could use reptile sand. P.S. This powder, whatever it is, scratches and scars the lungs. This paper from 2011 aimed to prove that we underestimate the risks of amorphous silica, and that products which contain it should be changed. So its possible that blue cloud will shorten your pets life. The worst thing you could do is use blue cloud somewhere that isnt ventilated. Several things happen when you inhale blue cloud dust. 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. Is dust bath safe? Hope this follow-up information is helpful! You may also have to frequently change the filter in the purifier, especially because its filtering rock dust rather than something organic. Chinchillas. Authors note: When I started writing this guide, Id planned it to be short and simple. This would explain why crystalline silica can cause cancer so easily: its causes both direct damage to DNA and long-term inflammation. It also doesnt necessarily mean healthy. Rock dust can break purifiers unless you change the filter frequently. WebNo. Scientific studies have shown the link between silica dusts and lung damage. So, instead of twice a week, consider every other day. Sweet PDZ is usually used in horse stalls to eliminate and reduce odors. What happens is that when the tiny particles are inhaled, they cause inflammation. And on top of that, its cheap, and can be bought in large bulk bags. Another advantage is that sand can be reused indefinitely. It could therefore damage the purifier if it isnt built to handle that kind of dust. This rhyolite is then processed to get rid of anything that isnt aluminum silicate. Blue cloud is commonly marketed as 100% natural, which is true. 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. Not all chinchilla dusts have silica in them. Lets take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of using corn starch, plus how to use it compared to normal dusts. 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. It doesnt clean fur quite as well. Silicosis was one of the very first workplace-related health issues, because people working with or around crystalline silica have been experiencing this condition for a hundred years or more now. If Dust Is So Dangerous, How Come Wild Chinchillas Use It? These little animals are associated with human salmonellosis, and they carry various mycobacteria. What Happens When You Inhale Blue Cloud Dust? This material is more commonly used in the U.K. than the U.S. Thank you again for your guidance! Dust can be reused to an extent, but must eventually be thrown away. But because corn starch doesnt billow as much, theres less to clean. These are pulmonary fibrosis and cancer. No idea if they were supplementing with blue cloud or cornstarch, so we will see how well it works! Contrary to popular belief, this can be done safely, so long as you know how. I really appreciate your articleit is the only one Ive seen that publishes the information in such a logical, organized way. Its great at absorbing water, which is why its also used in soil for potted plants. Studies on whether it causes lung damage have so far stated that it doesnt, although that doesnt prove definitively that it cant. Chinchillas live in burrows and rock crevices in the wild. It also contains a fair amount of aluminum, making it perfect for creating aluminum silicate dusts. 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. 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. We feed our chinchillas a diet unlike that which they eat in the wild. Thats exactly what blue cloud does. 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. Again, we have to reiterate that no kind of sand is as effective at cleaning a chinchillas fur as dust. Cancer is primarily associated with crystalline silica, and no studies have, as of yet, proven a definitive link between amorphous silica and cancer. You can also consider bathing your chinchilla in water infrequently. Blue cloud gets its very name from the fact that it billows up in tiny clouds when your chinchilla rolls around in it. Then, when youre done dusting, open the windows to allow a through draft in. That doesnt happen with sand. Contrary to popular belief, this can be done safely, so long as you know how. catanzaro solid wood platform bed; best silicone baby bottles; garnier skinactive facial mist These filters filter out particulate dust, while some even claim to filter out smoke, germs and molds. Make sure any bag you buy doesnt contain unusual additives; you want pure sepiolite. Its great at absorbing water, which is why its also used in soil for potted plants. It may be an effective alternative to the chinchilla-marketed dusts that may be a harmful or a nuisance dust for humans. It was long thought that amorphous silica cant be dangerous because of its shape. But markers for cytotoxicity (cell death), plus markers of DNA change, have been found after exposure to amorphous silica too. 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. But the more I read and researched this topic, I felt that there was more to the story than just which brand is best. It can therefore result in the same sudden flare-ups as crystalline silica, but without the same long-term effects. This page has no products for sale and doesnt recommend the same brands that every other guide does. But chinchillas don't need all the ones that we do; they can make their own vitamin C, for example, unlike us. This will largely reduce the amount that you and your chinchilla breathe in. Another advantage is that corn starch doesnt billow as much as rock dusts do. LoveMyChinchilla is reader-supported. As such, almost every owner recommends blue cloud dust from one of various brands. It may cause silicosis if breathed in frequently over a long period. But wild chinchillas dont eat hay; they eat living plants and grasses. Chinchillas bathe in dust. I did also look at and considered using the following: other chinchilla-marketed dusts (ruled out for human safety concerns) starches, including corn, arrowroot, etc. This dust isnt like regular dust; it doesnt break down. 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. Posted on September 29, 2022 by acrylic ice bucket with stand Im really glad you like our site! I look forward to new issues! If you stick to these safety recommendations, you wont breathe in enough dust to make you sick. The key advantage of using sand is that it isnt dangerous. Natural doesnt necessarily mean good. Your email address will not be published. Pretty much all sand is quartz, which is made of silica, but that isnt a problem so long as it doesnt poof up into clouds. Silicosis is where the lungs are so damaged that these symptoms persist continually, even in the absence of dust. ChillDust is one which is popular with experienced owners and breeders. You want a mask with a filter, like a 3M mask, a P2 mask or a P3 mask. Its that same reasoning that applies to Blue Cloud dust. So, thank you for this information! ChillDusts manufacturer, Hess Pumice, has a plethora of helpful product information available on their website, including human safety analysis information. The most common is silica, also known as crystalline silica, pure silica or silicon dioxide. But its the fineness of this dust thats also its biggest drawback. It's like using a net to capture a wild animal. You could even consider dusting if you have a feather duster you can use. That doesnt happen with sand. TUNEL staining is where scientists detect DNA breaks that form during apoptosis (cell death). As such, while they are popular, we cannot recommend the various brands of blue cloud dust. ChillDust settles faster than other chinchilla-marketed dusts and is only classified as a nuisance dust by OSHA. ChillDusts manufacturer, Hess Pumice, has a plethora of helpful product information available on their website, including human safety analysis information. The list below breaks them down into simple English, which scientific studies often dont! The confusion stems from how similar the effects of this physical damage are to allergies. However, the result suggests a mechanistic difference between FcRIIA receptor-mediated and non-opsonized silica particle phagocytosis. So that could work for you, too. Thats really interesting, Ill have to do some more research on corn starch too then! But why? Sepiolite seems safer than silicate dusts. Thats only possible because weve done lots of scientific research into what nutrients chinchillas need, how their digestive systems work, and so on. What happens is that when the tiny particles are inhaled, they cause inflammation. 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 do have a newsletter, and there should be a form you can find at the top of this page. WebTUNAP 915 Human Technology: N-hexane free cleaner for maintenance, repair and assembly work. 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. This means the body cant get rid of the dust specks easily. Sepiolite is a mineral thats also known as meerschaum. Id like to avoid silica because its a known carcinogen, so I think Ill try out the aragonite sand instead and see how well it works. We would recommend sepiolite, corn starch or sand instead. 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. Further study is needed to claim that its perfectly safe. This effect was shown by scientists working with mouse cells, which means the same likely applies to our cells. Aluminum silicate is commonly used as a dry and absorbent material, for example in cat litter. Cells that were predominantly affected were macrophages and epithelial cells lining the terminal bronchioles. In contrast, only a small population of cells stained TUNEL-positive after exposure to crystalline silica. During this time, it can get into your chinchillas eyes. Pumice dust is dust made from powdered pumice stone. Plus, the dust will settle on every surface in the room. It was long thought that amorphous silica cant be dangerous because of its shape. 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 Chinchilla DUST is SAFE? Rhyolite is a volcanic rock a little like pumice thats very high in silica (typically more than 69%). Thats a completely separate issue. This not only cleans their coats, but it protects them by eliminating extra oils and moisture. Its also used for cleaning yellow fur in chinchillas. 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. Practically every owner recommends blue cloud dust, but we believe that blue cloud is dangerous for you and your pet if it isnt used properly. As youll know from experience, chinchilla dust hangs in the air, and for days afterwards is present as a thin coat on all your belongings. However, this view has become increasingly controversial among scientists. This should be worrying for a chinchilla owner, especially if you frequently give your pets dust baths. While it isnt clear what effect aluminum silicate has on chinchillas, we know that silicate dusts can cause silicosis in other rodents, and that the chinchillas respiratory system is just like ours; we therefore recommend steering clear of any dust that could harm your pets health. Tidy up before your chinchilla bathes so that there are fewer things in your room for the dust to get on/in. The likely reason that amorphous silica isnt shown to cause cancer is that it doesnt remain in the body as crystalline silica does. Again, though, pure silica can cause pulmonary fibrosis. While sepiolite and pumice dont cause as serious effects, they still leave deposits in the lungs when inhaled. Youre therefore constantly breathing it in if you use it. We feed our chinchillas a diet unlike that which they eat in the wild. The lungs then have reduced capacity and can even get infected. Is chinchilla dust harmful to humans? Cracking open the window an inch isnt enough to fully ventilate a room. While it remains in the lungs, however, it seems that the two kinds of silica do the same damage. Its better to be inconvenienced than to risk the health of you and your pet. Its no more expensive than blue cloud. Hi, my name is Jamie. The most common is silica, also known as crystalline silica, pure silica or silicon dioxide. And if any sand is breathed in, it can be coughed up again, meaning it wont permanently damage the lungs. The 5 Best Chinchilla You could try offering longer or more frequent baths to combat this issue. You can also use them to train your chinchilla to do various things, like come when it's called. 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. How Many Jobs Are Available in Computer Software Prepackaged Software? This doesnt provethat amorphous silica can cause cancer, as studies showing this link definitively havent yet been performed, but its an interesting result nonetheless. You could try offering longer or more frequent baths to combat this issue. If you stick to these safety recommendations, you wont breathe in enough dust to make you sick. Amorphous silica, being round, stands much less chance of doing so; it can therefore be more easily coughed out. Can you use treats to make a chinchilla like you? Aragonite sand would be my second because of terrain location considerations (i.e., chinchillas dwell in the mountains; aragonite sand comes from the ocean seabed). It is considered a nuisance dust by the E.P.A. 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. Air purifiers are like fans with filters attached. How could blue cloud dust be dangerous, despite being so popular? 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. Thats because we believe that chinchilla dusts may be dangerous to use. Ventilation stops the dust from hanging in the air when its in use. If you do plan on using corn starch, you can change slightly how you bathe your chinchilla to counteract the drawbacks above. # chinchillas # chinchillacagesetup The major drawback with real air purifiers is that theyre expensive. 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. Chinchillas are already a good example of this. This powder, whatever it is, scratches and scars the lungs. The effects of blue cloud dust on a chinchillas lungs are less clear. If an infection develops because of this, it can cause serious complications. These cant absorb dust, but they can pick up small amounts on their surface. There are lots of different elements that can be crushed into a powder found in rocks and clay. Silicosis is a form of pulmonary fibrosis, which is where the lungs are damaged and scarred, reducing lung function. Bathing dust is very inexpensive, although the cost can add up if you have lots of chinchillas. They will flop, flip, and roll around in the dust to cover their coat and remove any unwanted dirt or oils. The pathway leading to apoptosis appears to be similar in both cases. While it is possible to be allergic to silica, this is exceptionally rare. There are many reports of blue cloud dust triggering allergies. If you do plan on doing this, dont use a surgical mask or a cheap face mask. All you have to do is wear one when your chinchilla is bathing, and you wont breathe in any of the dust. While it isnt clear what effect aluminum silicate has on chinchillas, we know that silicate dusts can cause silicosis in other rodents, and that the chinchillas respiratory system is just like ours; we therefore recommend steering clear of any dust that could harm your pets health. So, instead of twice a week, consider every other day. Required fields are marked *. I have read in several groups/forums that several owners/breeders use/recommend this power as an alternative dust for those with allergies. As such, weve made some recommendations below that should mitigate some of the risks associated with its use. This material is more commonly used in the U.K. than the U.S. 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. But because of safety concerns, we nonetheless have to recommend it. At first it was perfectly healthy, but now it seems to not want to eat its pellets any more. 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. 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. We recommend slightly more frequent, longer dust baths if youre using corn starch. Once your chinchilla is done bathing, you must do what you can to stop the dust settling. Our pet chinchillas eat hay and processed hay pellets, and were advised never to feed them fruits, vegetables and living grass as hay is a healthier choice. Cells that were predominantly affected were macrophages and epithelial cells lining the terminal bronchioles. There are reasonably well-known brands that use pumice. Some are rougher and sharper, while others have finer grains. The link between crystalline minerals and lung disease has long been clear. Apple wood sticks are one of the best chew toys. You want a mask with a filter, like a 3M mask, a P2 mask or a P3 mask. They state that: Animal inhalation studies with intentionally manufactured synthetic amorphous silica showed at least partially reversible inflammation, granuloma formation and emphysema, but no progressive fibrosis of the lungs [Ed: which is the core issue that silica dusts cause]. Any kind of nice, clean sand that doesnt puff into clouds when your chin rolls in it should be OK. And on top of that, its cheap, and can be bought in large bulk bags. Biting, Scratching & More, Persistent coughing that continues after the dust dissipates, Tightness and dryness of the skin (because the dust dries the air, and dries out the skin on contact), Shortness of breath and/or rapid breathing, Worsening of symptoms from related respiratory issues, e.g. Then afterwards, sweep or vacuum to get rid of as much dust as possible. Aluminum silicate and similar dusts are linked to serious lung damage. So play sand wont work as well as blue cloud, but it also wont damage anybodys lungs. You can use a shallow dish or tray filled with chinchilla dust, or you can buy a special dust bath container made for chinchillas. Fruits are typically high in sucrose, which causes bloating in chinchillas. This causes silicosis. Crystalline silica is jagged, so can attach itself to the walls of the lungs. The kinds of dust that chinchillas like are fine, but are also exceedingly dry and absorbent. Sweet PDZ in powder form. But there is possibly a link there. and the borates that the cellulose is treated with are non-toxic to humans. If the study above about amorphous silica is to be believed, then it would have this same effect. Silicon is one of the elements of the periodic table. Its no more expensive than blue cloud. These effects have been shown in many studies, which are linked below. Please dont dismiss what Ive written as the ramblings of somebody whos obsessed with health and safety, because thats just not me! Whats interesting is that amorphous silica seems to cause more damage visible during TUNEL staining than crystalline silica! The mechanism by which particles are bound and internalized and the reason particles are toxic is unclear. It may cause silicosis if breathed in frequently over a long period. As such, almost every owner recommends blue cloud dust from one of various brands. These clean a chinchillas fur in the same way as blue cloudin some cases not quite so well, but not to the point that your chinchilla would be greasy after it bathed. It is also important to control the duration during which your chinchilla has access to their bath. Considering that you need to dust your chinchilla To understand why, we can draw a parallel to how other pets are cared for. It will cause breathing difficulties and coughing. Its better to be inconvenienced than to risk the health of you and your pet. Lets take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of using corn starch, plus how to use it compared to normal dusts. Chinchillas bathe in dust. 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. This applies to any kind of fine silicate dust, be that pure silica, aluminum silicate, or silica mixed with something else. This one, for example, similarly looked at the effects of amorphous silica. But you can also get pure silica which has nothing else added to it. These clean a chinchillas fur in the same way as blue cloudin some cases not quite so well, but not to the point that your chinchilla would be greasy after it bathed. This means that sand has a slight cleaning effect, but isnt as good as dusts. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. It also doesnt necessarily mean healthy. New owner, don't know where to start? The link between crystalline minerals and lung disease has long been clear. Whether thats because of outdated advice or because of Bugs Bunny isnt relevant; what matters is that rabbits do far better on a diet of hay than of vegetables. Until recently, it wasnt even thought to be possible. This will get rid of much of the dust. 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. But that doesnt mean its 100% safe. As chinchillas are mammals, their respiratory system is the same as ours. If it makes things easier, consider changing the schedule by which you bathe your pet, e.g. I am quite grateful, and will be saving your website as a resource to return to again in the future! Silicosis was one of the very first workplace-related health issues, because people working with or around crystalline silica have been experiencing this condition for a hundred years or more now. Sepiolite is a mineral thats also known as meerschaum. Another advantage is that sand can be reused indefinitely. Cultured macrophages bind crystalline silica particles, phagocytose them, and rapidly undergo apoptotic and necrotic death. This is therefore one of many ways of assessing how something damages a cell. Okay, thanks. Scientific studies have shown the link between silica dusts and lung damage. While we dont recommend it, we do recognize that blue cloud dust is easily the most popular among chinchilla owners. We compared the uptake and toxicity of amorphous silica to crystalline silica. Blue cloud gets its name from how fine it is. We would recommend sepiolite, corn starch or sand instead. Thats because it doesnt trigger allergies like rock dusts, so its perfect for people with asthma or lung disease. Its a fine, dry powder. But unlike a normal fan, air purifiers have filters attached. Please dont dismiss what Ive written as the ramblings of somebody whos obsessed with health and safety, because thats just not me! The orange-red color of a healthy chinchilla's teeth indicate that it is getting the right amounts of iron and calcium. There are lots of different kinds of silicon-based dusts that are known to cause problems in the lungs. 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. Practically every single chinchilla owner, even experienced owners and breeders, recommends blue cloud dust. Again, though, pure silica can cause pulmonary fibrosis. Chinchillas need to bathe in dust: that much is true. We also dont know exactly where the various brands of blue cloud dust get their dusts from. But blue cloud dust isnt the exact same thing as pure silica, which may be why it isnt recognized as dangerous despite, perhaps, being so. Damaging the DNA in cells is how substances cause cancer. However, silicon-based dusts are known to be dangerous to inhale. They do go on to say, though, that one study disclosed four cases with silicosis among subjects exposed to apparently non-contaminated amorphous silica. This page has no products for sale and doesnt recommend the same brands that every other guide does. Its a kind of magnesium deposit that can be broken down into a fine dust. Webcrocs kadee flat size 9 / essential streetwear pieces / is chinchilla dust harmful to humans. If I can find one, thats my first choice right now, I think. And instead of fifteen minute baths, consider half an hour. We recommend sepiolite over blue cloud dusts, although it may only be available online where you live. Easily the best way to avoid breathing in dust is to wear a respirator. Its not as good as fine dusts for cleaning chinchilla fur, but its better than using nothing, and it will trigger your pets bathing reflex. They state that: Animal inhalation studies with intentionally manufactured synthetic amorphous silica showed at least partially reversible inflammation, granuloma formation and emphysema, but no progressive fibrosis of the lungs [Ed: which is the core issue that silica dusts cause].
Homes For Sale By Owner St Marys, Pa,
Articles I