I think Spikey might have mites or some other skin issue because behind his one ear is a baldish spot. And this is new--he never had this spot before. I also found a few quills in his cage. I have seen him scratch only once (but of course he could be scratching when I am not around). It is not obvious but in certain positions I can see it.
I use carefresh so I am not sure how this has happened? I am taking him to the vet tomorrow. I know from this board that shots are a big no no for mites (I am assuming it is mites but maybe it is something else).
Does anybody have any ideas as to what this could be and how it happened? Otherwise he seems ok in terms of behavior, appetite, poop.
andrea
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Aaria
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Re:problem with Spikey - 2008/05/05 11:44I just noticed that Peanut has little pink bald spots behind her ears as well. I posted about it in anatomy but I don't think there are any replies yet. I also use carefresh. Are you sure that you just never noticed it before?Becky Mother of Peanut the hedgehog
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Stasi
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Re:problem with Spikey - 2008/05/05 12:41Hedgehogs typically have a bare spot behind their ears. A vet check for Spikey may not be needed, but it's a good way to be 100% sure it's not anything to worry about. Shots are a nono for hedgies that have mites - you want to treat with Revolution if he has them. Feel free to holler if you have further questions!Stasi Terrapin Hedgehogs Joppa, MD www.terrapinhedgehogs.com
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Andrea
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Re:problem with Spikey - 2008/05/05 15:33I dont know....this seems bigger than what I remember and it seems bigger than the other side. But it is also kindof hard to tell because I have to pull his ear back and the minute I do that, Spikey huffs and does the forehead quills.
My appointment is tomorrow at 10:30am. I think I will just keep it and hopefully I am just being neurotic It just looks unusually large and I dont remember it being this way. Plus the full size quills I found in his cage (like 7-8 of them).
I just love this little guy so much....I dont want anything bad to happen to him.
I may call you Stasi tomorrow from the vet if the vet tries anything suspicious. I dont think she will; she seems very caring and actually did two follow-up calls to check on Spikey post medication, which I thought was really sweet and caring.
Andrea
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Stasi
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Re:problem with Spikey - 2008/05/05 16:10I don't think you're being neurotic. It's a reasonable thing to have checked. They may want to take him in back to do a skin scraping (though they may just do that in the room with you, depends on the vet. They typically scrape up some of the skin in the suspicious area and look at it under the microscope. This will show them mites, or any other type of abnormalities. Mites, while uncomfortable - i.e. itchy, are easily treated, and shouldn't cause too much concern for you or Spikey.Stasi Terrapin Hedgehogs Joppa, MD www.terrapinhedgehogs.com
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Andrea
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Re:problem with Spikey - 2008/05/06 08:39Stasi, you are the best! I will let you know how the visit goes and hopefully I wont need to call you.
Off topic a bit (but heck, I started this thread so it is ok ), I was away this weekend visiting my friend in Delaware and Jim took care of Spikey i.e. feeding and cleaning the cage. But Jim does not feel comfortable picking him up. When I came home Sunday and I visited with Spikey, I could tell he missed me. He did not huff at all and he seemed happy to see me back. That made me so happy.
I just love this little guy....he is my little angel.
Andrea
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Maggieb
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Re:problem with Spikey - 2008/05/06 09:58That's how I feel about my hedgies! That's why I have 3 now! I would have more if my husband would let me.
On that note, I was kind of wondering what those of you do when you go on vacation. In the past, I took my hedgie to a friend's house when my whole family was gone (on vacation). Now, since I have 3, cages and all, I don't know what to do? I moved away from that friend; besides, I can't imagine asking and taking 3 containers to someone else's house for a week. That's a lot to ask. Maybe I could find someone to come to my house. Is that what some of you do (breeders especially)?Marjorie, South Carolina I'm head-over-heels with my hedgehogs!
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Stasi
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Re:problem with Spikey - 2008/05/06 10:48Generally, I leave my husband home to take care of all the critters. We actually are planning on getting away (together, ooh!) for our 20th anniversary (seemed a little weird to leave him at home for that) and my parents are watching all the critters! I do have people I can call on in an emergency to watch them, and I keep a list of who gets what and how much, etc. just in case.Stasi Terrapin Hedgehogs Joppa, MD www.terrapinhedgehogs.com
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robosonic
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Re:problem with Spikey - 2008/05/06 11:07Last vacation, Aragorn stayed with a nice hedgie enthusiast Mom knows from a group she goes to. Although I now know a vet that works at her house and does board animals, so that would be an option too if you can find somebody like that in your area. They may not be hedgehogs but just in case it helps, I'll mention what we do with the other pets as well. The roaches stayed with a friend (and her not so cockroach enthusiastic grandparents), which I'm glad of because in general cockroaches aren't exactly a favorite among the human race. As for the cats they board at a vet, although I'm not sure that'd work so well for hedgehogs since a lot of vets are cat/dog boarders and I'm not sure if they do hedgies. I guess at some point it would be more useful just to get soemone to come over and care for the critters, only problem with that is if it's not someone entirely trustworthy things could be stolen. Maybe that's just me, but better safe than sorry I guess.Pets: Timmy (M, neutered) and Smokey (F, spayed) the maine coon and something else rescue cats. Aureus (Unknown, called He) the goldfish. Pepper (F) and Briar (M) the hissing cockroaches. 4 Minnows, rescued from being live bait. 4 House crickets, the other 3 are MIA. Links: My Pokemon Forum:http://pokepatch.proboards81.com/index.cgi My Blog:http://www.blogger.com/profile/12213462786837317123 My Art Site:http://www.fanart-central.net/profile-SkyThing.php My YouTube Account:http://www.youtube.com/user/InsanityDragon
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Andrea
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Re:problem with Spikey - 2008/05/06 12:53Well, the vet visit went well. Spikey weighs 242 grams, which the vet deemed as very healthy for his size and age. She did a full exam with no gas; she even listened to his heart and Spikey was sniffing the stethascope--it was really cute. The vet (she was a different one than before) said Spikey was very friendly and coorporative. Yes, he did huff when the doctor was examining his quills and poking at his ears but he did not curl up or anything and seemed to tolerate the poking and prodding. The doctor said Spikey has mites and also dry skin and scaly ears. So, I have revolution--the vet gave the first dose and I came home and thoroughly cleaned his cage and put fresh everything. The vet asked if I let Spikey run on the carpet--and I dont for fear of poops; she said if I did, I would need to steam the carpets.
At some point should I do the aveeno oatmeal bath for the dry skin? Is there anything I should put on his ears? Should I be feeding him any particular treats to help with this? I did give him very tiny pieces of wild alaskan salmon (poached) for the omega 3's about a week ago and he liked it. I dont want to go overboard with treats so if there is anything in particular I should be doing, please let me know.
Usually Spikey is in my lap on his blankie or in his plastic play pool or cage. So I think I am ok in terms of sanitizing.
As far as traveling.....well, so far it has been me who has gone away on two weekend trips and my husband Jim has checked on Spikey and has done the feeding/checking water/poop scooping. But my husband does not know how to hold him so Spikey ended up unheld during those two trips. I am worried because we have a joint trip coming up at the beginning of June for 7 full days to Utah. I am not sure what I am going to do. I know my brother in law, who wanted to be a vet and has held Spikey, would watch him and probably hold him while we were gone. But he has a cat and also two small children...so that makes me a bit nervous. I am sure Spikey would be ok, but still. My vet may do boarding--I am not sure- but I am worried that they would try to feed him insects, which bothers me for some reason (I know, irrational). I am not sure what to do. My parents usually water my garden but I cannot ask them because they have no experience with animals and it would be stressful for them. Hmmm...I need to find a solution or I will not be able to relax on this trip.
Andrea
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robosonic
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Re:problem with Spikey - 2008/05/07 10:16Andrea wrote: I know my brother in law, who wanted to be a vet and has held Spikey, would watch him and probably hold him while we were gone. But he has a cat and also two small children...so that makes me a bit nervous.
I'm not sure about the children but I wouldn't be worried about the cat. Our cats tended to be very careful when around the little spikeball. I imagine even the most enthusiastic of cats or dogs would come worst off against a hedgehog.Pets: Timmy (M, neutered) and Smokey (F, spayed) the maine coon and something else rescue cats. Aureus (Unknown, called He) the goldfish. Pepper (F) and Briar (M) the hissing cockroaches. 4 Minnows, rescued from being live bait. 4 House crickets, the other 3 are MIA. Links: My Pokemon Forum:http://pokepatch.proboards81.com/index.cgi My Blog:http://www.blogger.com/profile/12213462786837317123 My Art Site:http://www.fanart-central.net/profile-SkyThing.php My YouTube Account:http://www.youtube.com/user/InsanityDragon
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Aaria
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Re:problem with Spikey - 2008/05/07 11:26Hedgehogs can be pretty scary when they want to be.Becky Mother of Peanut the hedgehog
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Hedgehog Forums 
It just looks unusually large and I dont remember it being this way. Plus the full size quills I found in his cage (like 7-8 of them). 
), I was away this weekend visiting my friend in Delaware and Jim took care of Spikey i.e. feeding and cleaning the cage. But Jim does not feel comfortable picking him up. When I came home Sunday and I visited with Spikey, I could tell he missed me. He did not huff at all and he seemed happy to see me back. That made me so happy.
