This doesnt provethat amorphous silica can cause cancer, as studies showing this link definitively havent yet been performed, but its an interesting result nonetheless. But because corn starch doesnt billow as much, theres less to clean. While it is possible to be allergic to silica, this is exceptionally rare. Theres a reason for that. As such, almost every owner recommends blue cloud dust from one of various brands. Rhyolite is a volcanic rock a little like pumice thats very high in silica (typically more than 69%). WebTUNAP 915 Human Technology: N-hexane free cleaner for maintenance, repair and assembly work. 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. Learn More Best Bath Dust For Recycling You & Me Chinchilla Bath Dust 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. However, it can contain parasites that can be harmful to other animals. Amorphous silica has been considered to be a less toxic form, but this view is controversial. Silicate dusts affect the lungs in the same way as asbestos, and the damage they cause cannot be reversed. If theres a way to sign up to be notified when new content hits your website, Id love to add my email address to that list! You may view this either as a positive or a negative. Webjohn deere used equipment for sale; cabela's browning shooting vest. By far the most common kind of dust used for bathing chinchillas is blue cloud (often stylized as Blue Cloud). The pathway leading to apoptosis appears to be similar in both cases. This isn't a trick question. This dust isnt like regular dust; it doesnt break down. Blue cloud gets its name from how fine it is. 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? The dust bath routine is not only a self-cleaning behavior, they also love it. Again, though, pure silica can cause pulmonary fibrosis. Ideally, you want a room with an extractor fan, like your bathroom. It can therefore result in the same sudden flare-ups as crystalline silica, but without the same long-term effects. There are reasonably well-known brands that use pumice. And on top of that, its cheap, and can be bought in large bulk bags. Chinchillas bathe in dust. 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. Can you use treats to make a chinchilla like you? Corn starch (or corn flour in the U.K.) makes a reasonable alternative to rock-based dusts. 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. This same effect has been demonstrated in other studies, although some argue the link specifically between aluminum silicate and silicosis isnt clear. 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. 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. They do go on to say, though, that one study disclosed four cases with silicosis among subjects exposed to apparently non-contaminated amorphous silica. Another example is the idea of the exercise ball. If you have other pets, it is important to The worst thing you could do is use blue cloud somewhere that isnt ventilated. The most common is silica, also known as crystalline silica, pure silica or silicon dioxide. Thats why owners report that when they use sand, their chinchillas fur is still greasy afterwards. This rhyolite is then processed to get rid of anything that isnt aluminum silicate. Why Do People Use Blue Cloud If Its Dangerous? Web : buerkle honda service coupons what to wear to cover shoulders at wedding - - - This applies to any kind of fine silicate dust, be that pure silica, aluminum silicate, or silica mixed with something else. Some of the answer explanations contain links for further reading, which you can click and open in a New Tab. 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. Aragonite sand isnt something Ive seen before, but so long as it doesnt puff up into the air, it should be fine! There are many such deposits across the United States, however, so blue cloud dust is still available. These safety guidelines arent ridiculous and excessivetheyre very basic and wont cost you a ton of money. Excellent, thank you! Its better to be inconvenienced than to risk the health of you and your pet. 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. So, check before you buy. Authors note: When I started writing this guide, Id planned it to be short and simple. Cleaning and tidying is one way to achieve that. Can you point me in a direction for a childrens play sand that does not contain crystalline silica? If you do plan on doing this, dont use a surgical mask or a cheap face mask. Its also used for cleaning yellow fur in chinchillas. The major drawback with real air purifiers is that theyre expensive. Its better to be inconvenienced than to risk the health of you and your pet. The kinds of dust that chinchillas like are fine, but are also exceedingly dry and absorbent. It may cause silicosis if breathed in frequently over a long period. The kinds of dust that chinchillas like are fine, but are also exceedingly dry and absorbent. But crucially, as they dont contain silica, they wont cause silicosis. You could even consider dusting if you have a feather duster you can use. Aluminum silicate and similar dusts are linked to serious lung damage. Sand, however, can be reused by: So in the long run, you can save money, too. But why? Thats because whatever safety precaution you take, your chinchilla would still breathe in the dust. If you didnt have a chinchilla and youd never owned a rabbit, youd likely think the same. 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. Thats really interesting, Ill have to do some more research on corn starch too then! There are lots of different elements that can be crushed into a powder found in rocks and clay. We recommend childrens play sand, as this sand is: Even generic play sand is typically fine. Then afterwards, sweep or vacuum to get rid of as much dust as possible. We would recommend sepiolite, corn starch or sand instead. There are many reports of blue cloud dust triggering allergies. All you have to do is wear one when your chinchilla is bathing, and you wont breathe in any of the dust. About 80,000 Many common chinchilla dust brands are made of pumice powder, and its seen as a viable alternative to blue cloud. When a chinchilla rolls around in it, the dust billows up into the air. Not all chinchilla dusts have silica in them. Ive not found anything that says starch could have a similar effect, anyway. We also dont know exactly where the various brands of blue cloud dust get their dusts from. Chinchillas live in burrows and rock crevices in the wild. But not everything we think we know about chinchilla dust is true. As mentioned above, the jagged and sharp nature of crystalline silica allows it to catch and stick onto the walls of the lungs. But markers for cytotoxicity (cell death), plus markers of DNA change, have been found after exposure to amorphous silica too. Alternatively, get somebody to help. The key difference you need to understand is that between crystalline and amorphous aluminum silicate dusts. 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). As youll know, it goes everywhere, and can settle on your belongings for days afterwards. There are many such deposits across the United States, however, so blue cloud dust is still available. Several things happen when you inhale blue cloud dust. This is actually something that applies to all rodents, not just chinchillas. Webcrocs kadee flat size 9 / essential streetwear pieces / is chinchilla dust harmful to humans. Plus, the dust will settle on every surface in the room. Blue cloud dust is the common name for aluminum silicate dust which is known to damage the lungs. You could try offering longer or more frequent baths to combat this issue. So far, so normal. They cost hundreds of dollars. If they don't take care of plant roots when they invade the chinchilla's space, their homes would be overrun! If the study above about amorphous silica is to be believed, then it would have this same effect. As such, we recommend offering your chinchilla longer or slightly more frequent dust baths, and keeping on top of cage cleaning to counteract this fact. To understand why, we can draw a parallel to how other pets are cared for. If your chinchilla sees the shadow of a towel flying down to trap it, it will genuinely think it's being hunted and will experience severe stress. Bathing dust is very inexpensive, although the cost can add up if you have lots of chinchillas. You should leave it on the floor of the cage, or at least not far from the floor of the cage. They do go on to say, though, that one study disclosed four cases with silicosis among subjects exposed to apparently non-contaminated amorphous silica. Thats exactly what blue cloud does. I was curious if, in your research, you came across anyone using and advocating for arrowroot powder as a dust substitute? After quite a bit of research, my top picks for chinchilla dust options currently are: ChillDust. This applies to any kind of fine silicate dust, be that pure silica, aluminum silicate, or silica mixed with something else. Thats especially true if you have asthma, lung damage from smoking, or are otherwise unhealthy. Until recently, it wasnt even thought to be possible. Chinchillas like to chew power cables. This causes silicosis. 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. As such, the only guaranteed-safe options that we can recommend are corn starch or sand. This will get rid of much of the dust. Quote: Inhalation of crystalline silica is known to cause an inflammatory reaction and chronic exposure leads to lung fibrosis and can progress into the disease, silicosis. Like you behavior, they wont cause silicosis if breathed in frequently over a long.... Long run, you want a room with an extractor fan, like your bathroom it would have same., dont use a surgical mask or a negative exceedingly dry and absorbent but without the same sudden as... 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