DoveyLovey
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New Hedgie owner - 2008/03/24 11:30
Hello I'm a new owner and I had a few questions and concerns...
I got my girl this weekend and she's really sweet. But I'm sure the previous onwer didn't take care of her properly.
I had to drive about an hour to get her and when we met them she smelled bad. I read that they shouldn't have a smell. She looked kind of dirty and only has one eye. They said she got poked by another hedgehog when she was younger, but my boyfriend didn't believe her. They said she's about 3 years old, but didn't sound sure about that.
I took her home, bought her an igloo and gave her one of my shirts to burrow in.
I bought some aveeno oatmeal bath stuff and and a soft toothbrush. I noticed she has incredibly dried out skin behind her ears. And when I was petting her in my lap one of her quills came out...
I'm planning on taking her to our exotic vet for check up asap. I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas or advice?
She's really a sweet girl, likes playing in my hoodie and rooting around in my hair.
The previous owner didn't have her liter trained or have a wheel for her.. She didn't even know they could be liter trained or that they even like wheels... is there a website for the kind of wheels that they like? I'm trying to find her toys but she wasn't interested in a tolit paper roll at all, or a little cat ball. She just wanted to burrow and climb on her igloo.
Sorry this is soo long!! I just want to be a good hedgie mommie.
~Mommie to~
Claudette the one eyed Hedgehog
Pierre and Clementine the Sugar Gliders
Sunflower the Cat
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HappyHedgie8
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Re:New Hedgie owner - 2008/03/24 11:42
Hi and welcome to the forums! And don't worry, your post wasn't too long!
It sounds like the previous owner wasn't very good and I am glad that you were able to save her from that place! It is really too bad she is missing an eye
To start, I would say that taking her to the vet would be a good move. A checkup to make sure that everything is normal can pay off in the long run.
A wheel that is 11" is minimum size for a hedgehog. You can buy wheels online or at a local pet store. I have the silent spinner and it works great. Here is a link to that one if you are interested in buying it. The reason I like it is because some hedgehogs run heavily and Tweetle's would always fall off, but this one attaches to the cage and/or stands on the stand, so it works well for me.  http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?familyid=14921&Ntt=silent%20spinner%2012"&OneResultRedirect=1
The quill that fell out could possibly be from mites, ask your vet about that when you go in and see if they can see if she has mites or not.
A lot of hedgie's favorite toys is their wheel, so don't worry about TP tubes or balls if she doesn't like them.
Once you and her are situated, I think that we all would love to see some pictures!! I hope I answered all your questions! Welcome and good luck! You sound like you are already doing a great job!
~Felicia
Post edited by: HappyHedgie8, at: 2008/03/24 11:44
**Mommy of Tweetle the hedgehog!**
~Felicia :] |
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DoveyLovey
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Re:New Hedgie owner - 2008/03/24 11:56
Thanks!! I will look into getting her a wheel right away. I'm going to be shopping online for Suggie toys soon anyway so i'll be looking for hedgie toys too. I can set up an appt. a week out so I'll do that today.
I don't mind that she has only one eye. It gives her character! I just wish I could put a little eye patch on her so she could be a pirate teehee 
Oh and I will be posting many many pictures! I tried taking some last night but she was too interested in exploring hehe.
Thanks again for your help
~Mommie to~
Claudette the one eyed Hedgehog
Pierre and Clementine the Sugar Gliders
Sunflower the Cat
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LORI611
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Re:New Hedgie owner - 2008/03/24 13:12
Hi welcome, and congrats on your new baby!! I'm sure she will be a very happy one-eyed hedgehog now!!
A wheel is a definite must have!! And don't worry about her not being litter trained, some take to it, some don't ,no matter what you do! Good luck and do some looking around on the Forum, you can find out ALOT of things! Also don't be afraid to ask questions, everyone here is really helpful!
p.s. the hedgie pirate idea creates a funny picture in my mind!!
LORI, SOUTHINGTON, CT
Mom of:
Chloe(dog), Mr.Toad(frog) and Hazel the hedgie!! |
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smhufflepuff
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Re:New Hedgie owner - 2008/03/24 13:50
If you'll be shopping online for Suggie toys, you might want to check out some hedgie wheels on line too. Bucket wheels tend to be a bit less noisy and more hedgie-friendly than the commercially available ones. You can make your own... there are instructions on the HHW site. Or you can buy on-line and have it shipped. A couple places that sell hedgie wheels are
http://www.sunshinequillhedgehogs.com/products.html
http://www.hogwheelsbychet.com/
I bought mine from a fellow named Vern, who has since transitioned over to spool wheels for the larger hedge. In addition to the bucket wheel, Sunshine quills now sells the regular hedge-sized version of Vern's spool wheel. Though that might not be the best idea for a pirate hedge because they have crossbars that she might not see.
And you can check out eBay too... there are some nice ones out there every so often
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DoveyLovey
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Re:New Hedgie owner - 2008/03/24 14:36
Thanks for all the help! hehe I'll have a happy lil pirate in no time!  I'll shop around right now for a wheel. Are there any other toys I should try?
~Mommie to~
Claudette the one eyed Hedgehog
Pierre and Clementine the Sugar Gliders
Sunflower the Cat
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HappyHedgie8
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Re:New Hedgie owner - 2008/03/24 15:32
Well you said that she didn't like tubes or balls...hmm....
OH I have another thing that just the other day I found that Tweetle likes! It isn't a toy but it is really fun to do when they are out playing or in their cage...
Treat hunt!
On easter I had an easter egg hunt with my siblings, so I decided to give Tweetle one too!
I put chicken on different places around his cage and he searched for it and he was having fun and had a little hedgie smile on his face, I can just tell!
Well, just an idea to try if you or her are bored and have some free time!
**Mommy of Tweetle the hedgehog!**
~Felicia :] |
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omelette
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Re:New Hedgie owner - 2008/03/24 17:31
welcome to the forums! and congrats on your new hedgie! my dog (who is 13 now, gasp!) has cataracts, and is significantly worse in one eye. he also has a bad leg which is made worse by arthritis. so on Halloween i dressed him up as a pirate; with an eye patch and peg leg!
when looking for a wheel, make sure it has a solid surface. don't buy one of the mesh or wire ones usually sold in pet stores. here are some links to different types of wheels:
how to make your own bucket wheel:
http://www.hedgehogworld.com/content/view/128/42/
quality cage wheels:
http://www.qualitycage.com/exwheels.html
wodent wheels:
http://www.transoniq.com/
i don't really have any ideas for toys. my hedgie doesn't really care much for them. but as you spend more time with yours, you'll get to know what she likes. but as for accessories, you can get a critter ball so she can run around it. you can also buy or make a hedgie bag. if you use liners in her cage you can also make a "digging box" with scraps of fleece or use Carefresh.
Lisa
My Heart Belongs to:
Teddy, Sugar, Sapphie, Fudge, Archie, Chuckie - The Yorkies
Wendy (Siamese Mix), Echo (Tabby) - Cats
Omelette - Hedgehog
Basil - Guinea Pig
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Andrea
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Re:New Hedgie owner - 2008/03/24 18:06
I just wanted to welcome you to the forum. I am a new hedgie owner, too and this site has been wonderful in terms of support, information, encouragement.
My heart goes out to your little hedgie. I am glad that he is now in a better home and will get the love and care he deserves. Who knows, your hedgies mood and spirit may pick up and he may be playing with toys in no time.
Andrea
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DoveyLovey
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Re:New Hedgie owner - 2008/03/25 11:10
She just started playing with her cat ball yesterday! hehe the cutest thing ever. I was sitting on the couch and I hear little bells and I look over and she was out nosing her little ball around!
I tried the ball and she couldn't figure it oout very well. I put her in there once a day to see if she'll get the hang of it...but she just sniffs around.
I'll try the treat hunt! She doesn't seem to be interested in meal worms so I'll try chicken.
That'd be cool if I could make a wheel myself. I'll have to give it a shot.
Thanks for everyone's help! I was so worried I wasn't going to find a forum like my Sugar Glider one which I love.
Thanks! I'll keep updates and post pics soon.
~Mommie to~
Claudette the one eyed Hedgehog
Pierre and Clementine the Sugar Gliders
Sunflower the Cat
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bracey
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Re:New Hedgie owner - 2008/03/25 12:00
hi got my milkybar for valentine's day from my partner, hes so cute ,
he plays with hes cat ball alot and he has a wheel too,
i only find this forum lastnight so im new to all this.
jade
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DoveyLovey
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Re:New Hedgie owner - 2008/03/25 22:07
Welcome to the forum too! I like it here I think you will too!
~Mommie to~
Claudette the one eyed Hedgehog
Pierre and Clementine the Sugar Gliders
Sunflower the Cat
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bracey
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Re:New Hedgie owner - 2008/03/26 02:38
thanks i think i wil too.
bracey xx
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