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The aim of this investigation was the analysis of the variability within the internal and external ophthalmic artery in the chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger, Molina). The head vasculature of 65 individuals was analysed, with particular emphasis on the internal ophthalmic artery originating from the central and rostral part of the cerebral arterial circle. Head blood vessels were filled with acrylic latex for vascular corrosion casting. The results showed ten variants of blood supply for the orbit, with a predominance of the first variant (66.1%) = bilateral presence of the external ophthalmic artery originating from the maxillary artery. Other variants differed in symmetry and asymmetry, sites of origination and the coexistence of both internal and external arteries. Vascularisation of the brain in chinchillas originates mainly from the vertebra-basilar system. The observed variability seems to confirm the role of the basilar artery in the arterial blood supply of the brain in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to estimate the pressure distribution under the paws of chinchilla ( Chinchilla laniger) using static pedobarography. We included in our study three healthy chinchilla aged 1–3 year, both sexes, weighted 480–570 g. We performed static pedobarography (PEL 38 podometer) in each chinchilla and we took into account standing on four legs or two hind legs. We found that on standing on four legs, two types of contact area with base in chinchilla exist: first type – the ring shape of contact area with base of forefeet with maximal pressure in forefeet at their central part and elliptic shape of foot contact area with base of hind legs (paws) with longer diameter about twice longer than the shorter one and with maximal pressure in hind legs at their posterior part (greater than pressure under forefoot paws), that a value was 98 g/cm2 In the second type of foot contact area with base a pattern of hind legs was similar to that of forefeet. During standing on two hind legs we distinguished the another type (third) of foot contact area with base that was similar to the first type with the difference made by the fact that animal was standing only on hind paws. In each animal we found also the contact area with base of a tail – the contact area was similar to that of forefeet but the value of pressure was twice decreased. Concluding, the most frequent manner of contact area with base in chinchilla is 4 points contact with hind paws contact area twice greater than contact area of forefeet. Moreover, the fifth point of support can exist – a tail, which is mainly important during standing on the hind paws. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]