Management of Phimosis and Balanoposthitis in a Pet Chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera)

A 9-year-old male castrated pet chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) with a 5-day history of lethargy, inappetence, and weight loss was diagnosed with extensive adhesions between the glans penis and the prepuce, resulting in phimosis. Secondary accumulation of smegma and bacterial balanoposthitis was present. Treatment of the phimosis included repeated breakdown of the adhesions between the prepuce and glans penis, regular extrusion of the glans penis, and topical application of a steroid ointment. The adhesions between the prepuce and glans penis reoccurred despite repeated treatments. Overall, 31 months after the initial diagnosis, phimosis persists, however, concurrent balanoposthitis is not evident nor are any overt clinical disease signs. This report is the first description of phimosis in a rodent species.