possible lice problem - 2006/08/09 04:48Hello, I'm a newcomer to this forum, my name is Patrick and I have recently bought myself two hedgehogs (two brothers), two very lively litle rascals with two very different personality traits, however, they do have one thing in comon, they have lice,i think... I noticed that on their ears they have numerous little bugs (tiny and close to transparant) and they seem to cause some minor discomfort -they scratch themselves alot-
Now my question is, how can I get rid of these little invaders? I can't go see a vet, there simply aren't any around, however I am able to visit petstores to get something that may help. However, none of these petstores is specialised in smaller animals, dogs mainly, so my question is, does anyone know how to help my two newfound friends from their itchy invaders? If you know wether or not a certain shampoo would do the trick, please let me know...
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LoriL
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Re:possible lice problem - 2006/08/09 05:08I'm not sure if hedgehogs get lice...but they have been known to develop a mite problem. Those little buggers can make them itch like crazy and can cause them to lose quills.
I know that something called Revolution helps with mites-it is a topical ointment, but I think that it is prescribed by your vet. I haven't had to deal with mites yet, but I've read quite a few posts from people who have, and it seems that that is the route taken.
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PKN
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Re:possible lice problem - 2006/08/09 05:15I'll have a look for such a product, however, like I mentioned previously, I have no easy access to a vet, I live in Surabaya, Indonesia, and even though pet shops have been popping up everywhere, finding good animal care is still a bit difficult.
However, I'm happy that atleast the problem is identified, so that I can look for some help.
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dzmeadows
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Re:possible lice problem - 2006/08/09 06:48It sounds to me like your hedgehogs have mites, not lice. Mites are pretty common in hedgehogs, almost all hedgehogs have at least a very small population living on them at all time, but if they get stressed or slightly ill, these mites can reproduce rapidly and cause itching, quill loss, and in severe cases, major scabbing, open sores, and pain. Lets see... a good way to treat them with no vet access..... toughie. Giving your hedgehogs a bath a couple of times per week with a light edible oil (such as olive oil) in the rinse water can help reduce the number of mites, and possibly get them back under the body's control. (Side note here, not pointed at the writer of this thread------For those of you who DO have access to a vet and choose to refuse your hedgehog medical treatment to cure this very irritating problem, may the mites from your hedgehogs infest you in the most unpleasant areas) Oil rinses are NOT a reliable cure for mites, but they can help somewhat, when no veterinarian treatment is a possibility. Becca
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PKN
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Re:possible lice problem - 2006/08/09 08:31Thank you Becca for that helpful reply, this evening I'll see what I can do, I was planning to bathe them anyway, so this will go all at once.
I'm not at all sure if the scratching that they do is a direkt result from the Mites, however, just to be precautious i would like to see them removed or at least reduced anyway, they didnt catch my attention at first, but when Gino & Chibi were asleep I noticed a small crawling colony on Gino's ears, I would guestimate that there were atleast 10-20, they're rather microscopic..
And if one of them has it, the other must have them too.
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herbiesmom
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Re:possible lice problem - 2006/08/10 03:42I read somewhere that someone used a mite spray made for birds on their hedgies when they were out of reach of a vet and it helped. You might want to ask at the pet store to see what they have and if there is anything availabe for that. It would be better than letting the small animals suffer. I will look around the forums I hang out on and see if I can find the name of the active ingredient they were using.Cyn and Hedgie Boys
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dzmeadows
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Re:possible lice problem - 2006/08/10 22:16I would be EXTREMELY cautious about using bird spray on a hedgehog... What is extremely harmless and safe on one species might not be on another. I haven't ever heard any problems that have occurred from use of mite spray, but I also haven't heard many cases of people using it with no problems. Becca
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PKN
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Re:possible lice problem - 2006/08/11 12:35Well, as it is/was, I have given them a bath earlier this week, with the oil, and afterwards I've used baby shampoo to make them smell good the second reason for baby shampoo was that it wouldn't sting their eyes.
Anyway, the end result was that the scratching reduced, however i'm not assuming that this was the last time they'll need treatment to fully cure this problem, however I will bathe them weekly and in due time I expect the mite problem to be fully over.
If I get the chance I'll post a few pictures of them hiding in the towel, I noticed this much, they werent happy with their bath, if anything it upset them for quite a while, and the 'pooping in the bath' issue that I see mentioned so often surely did occur, for both of them, sort of auto-poop-when-wet.
Thanks again for all the help, I'll stick around on this forum
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herbiesmom
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Re:possible lice problem - 2006/08/11 14:00I am glad your babies are feeling better. Snow poops in the bath everytime. Herbie never does. But they both act like the water will destroy them if they don't run away fast! Cyn and Hedgie Boys
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dzmeadows
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Re:possible lice problem - 2006/08/12 01:56I would baby shampoo first, because this will wash a lot of the mites away, and then oil rinse afterwards, because this will help suffocate a lot of the ones that are still there. Yep, it is amazing how much hedgehogs will poop when stuck in the water, makes ya wonder if they aren't trying to build an island to climb up onto. Becca
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PKN
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Re:possible lice problem - 2006/08/14 07:11Have a look at a few of the pictures I took afterwards...
Post edited by: PKN, at: 2006/08/14 07:14
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PKN
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Re:possible lice problem - 2006/08/14 07:17there's some obvious anger hiding inside the towel....
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herbiesmom
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Re:possible lice problem - 2006/08/14 14:03What a cutie! Looks like he is coming along nicely.Cyn and Hedgie Boys
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LoriL
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Re:possible lice problem - 2006/08/14 14:38How adorable! If they only knew how we think their anger is cute!
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Hedgehog Forums 
the second reason for baby shampoo was that it wouldn't sting their eyes.
