Malocclusion

A Disclaimer

I must start by saying there is disagreement in the chinchilla community about how much of malocclusion is genetic, or environmental. Some people think if malocclusion happens before age 3, its genetic. Others think if it happens before age 5, its genetic. Others do not believe environment plays a role in malocclusion at all. How much of malocclusion is inherited is also debated among the experts.

What is it, and why does it happen?

Malocclusion refers to the misalignment of the teeth and can occur in either the front or the back, top of the bottom. There are a few reasons malocclusion can be seen in animals, and either relate to injury, genetics, or husbandry (never providing something to chew on). In cases where we see malocclusion resulting from injury, it often means the chinchilla has fallen in the past, and this could possibly cause the front teeth to malocclude. If this is the case, the front teeth can be trimmed down so that the chinchilla can eat food. Malocclusion that occurs in the back teeth (molars) is often a fatal condition, normally genetic, and the animal should not be used for breeding. We often see malocclusion in the mutation colors of chinchillas, but it can occur in any color or sex.

Symptoms of Malocclusion

A chinchilla who is maloccluding will often have wet eyes (one or both) and slobber along the bottom jaw. Depending on how severe the malocclusion is, an animal may or may not be able to eat, so may appear to struggle with eating, and loses weight.

Is there any way I can check for this?

Yes, but its not easy to explain and a vet check will do you best. When checking for malocclusion in your animal, you would run your fingers along the bottom jaw bone, starting at the front and working your way back to where the jaw connects to the skull. You are feeling for bumps that are round and not normally symmetrical on both sides (there are some natural bumps along your chinchilla’s jaw, so don’t panic if you feel some…this is also why it is hard to explain over the Internet). Feeling for upper teeth malocclusion is much more difficult and often an x-ray is your best bet for both bottom and upper.

Final thoughts

It is my experience that no matter how fantastic of a breeder you may be, or no matter how carefully you pick your lines (be it for breeding, or as a pet), about 10% of healthy animals with no known history will malocclude. This falls into the typical 10% rule, where 10% of the healthy population is likely to develop an illness. I feel that most breeders do their best job to keep it out of their lines and minimize it as much as we can. But, there is never a guarantee it won’t happen.

If you would like more information on chinchilla teeth, including photographs and detailed information, please visit CA Chins and click on “Health” then “teeth”.

Pictures

These pictures were provided by Dawn Hofer. The hope is that by showing these photos will promote the education of malocclusion and why it is so important to promote welfare and good breeding in chinchillas.

This is a picture of a normal jaw on the left hand side, and a maloccluded skill on the right.