Last night, like every night, I had Spikey on the bed with me and he was in his 'splat' mode. I had my robe nearby, which both hedgies have explored in the recent past. Spikey started to sniff one corner of the robe (which is mauve in color and quite thick/snuggly) and then started to bite it and attack it with such gusto. He then started to annoint himself (which I have seen in the past but never to this extent) and some of the foam stuff from his mouth was the same color as the robe I picked him up when he was done and gave him a little bath and then snuggled in the towel. I tried to check his teeth using a q-tip but could not. His front teeth look fine and the foam color was the color of the robe not the color of blood. I gave him a little banana and watched his mouth to see if I could see any problems but could not.

This morning he seemed fine and most of his food was gone. I was worried that maybe he hurt himself or his mouth attacking the robe. I dont understand this as nothing has changed about the robe and he has explored it before.

Still a bit worried

andrea

perhaps he happened to find a spot that the dye was not so washed out? They DO love to change their color when given the chance... I have one that likes to give himself green pinto spots... I really don't want to know where he gets the green... though I think I know! LOL... (I'd be more worried if I didn't know that everything in his cage is safe)

That must be it because I have not washed this robe that many times (I have washed it in the past but not too many times) and it is really thick and snuggly. The foam was the color of the robe which is not the color of blood. Maybe something in the saliva made the color come out?

Silly hedgehog. I work late tonite and hubby is out for the day so I am going to have hubby check on him later this afternoon....even though hubby has very few hedgie skills

andrea

I'm sure he's ok! the dyes they use in clothing are supposed to be non toxic!
And it very well could be something in his saliva that helped the dye to break down...

I know I seem like an overreacter but it was upsetting to see Spikey foam at the mouth to that degree and the second wave of annointing came out mauve/robe colored. It was quite a sight and that is why I had to give him a quick bath

This little guy means the world to me.

I spoke to hubby who will do his best to check on him LOL by peeking in Spikey's hedgie bag and making sure he is ok. Hubby most likely will not pick him up but will inspect him in his hedgie bag.

He seemed fine this morning and was running around all night. And he ate his food and pooped as usual.

This little guy means the world to me!!

Andrea

I can certainly understand that! Our hedgies mean the world to us as well!

I wouldn't worry. Shades of red are very good at bleeding color (usually in my load of wash and turning things pink). Spikey will be fine.

Kelly

Thank you all for the support. I know I seem like/am a total wimp I had called hubby later today and he checked on Spikey, who did his usual huff-huff when you peek into his bag so that made me feel better.

He is on my lap as we speak and seems a bit grumpy but I think he is missing a treat....LOL. I dont have any small treat to give either of them tonite.

Anyway, thank you again and this board is the greatest!

andrea
who loves her hedgies...

Glad to hear Spikey is ok! I actually love to see mine self-annoint. I find their flexibility amazing. Then again, I've never seen it with brightly colored foam...that might be unnerving.

Spikey was pretending to be a guard dog! lol I'm glad he's fine, it's always better to have a strong protective worry reaction than be all blase about it. I won't bother repeating the reassurances, other than to say you have quite the little man there - lol being all ferocious! (Though, I think I would whisper that he scared you, so he can remember not to do it again quite so vigorously!)