under construction!!!!!!
Information on this page will include.....
- Hibernation.
- Mites.
- Quill loss.
- Injuries.
- Finding a vet.
- Ivermectin. (Allergies/reactions)
Hibernation
Hibernation is, when left fatal to African pygmy hedgehogs. There is no 100% definitive reason why but many including myself believe one of the main reasons is because APH's don't stock up on food and this obviously is important for any animal hibernating through the cold months. This is why its paramount to have a heat source or keep your hedgehog room warm during the colder months.
Some hedgehogs will hibernate whilst others wont ever attempt to. This can be down to many things including feeling under the weather. Here are the major signs to watch for.
Your hedgehog should start responding quite quickly, even if its just uncurling a little its a start. If after 1 hour you have had no change in reaction then I suggest you seek vet attention.
It's known that once a hedgehog has attempted hibernation once its more likely to try again, I strongly suggest you keep the hedgehog area warmer than you have previously to prevent another attempt.
To keep your hedgehog area warmer you have a few options.
Some hedgehogs will hibernate whilst others wont ever attempt to. This can be down to many things including feeling under the weather. Here are the major signs to watch for.
- Curled into a ball, not like the normal quick curled but curled and unable to curl or reluctance to uncurl.
- A cold belly, if you are lucky enough to be able to get a feel of the belly its a good indication.
- Wobbliness, if your hedgehog is wobbly then hibernation could be a good reason why.
Your hedgehog should start responding quite quickly, even if its just uncurling a little its a start. If after 1 hour you have had no change in reaction then I suggest you seek vet attention.
- Skin on Skin contact.
- Heat pad. (A hedgehog safe one obviously)
- Or a covered hot water bottle.
It's known that once a hedgehog has attempted hibernation once its more likely to try again, I strongly suggest you keep the hedgehog area warmer than you have previously to prevent another attempt.
To keep your hedgehog area warmer you have a few options.
- Keep the heating on close to the hedgehog area, however invest in a thermomitor so you know exactly what heat your hedgehogs are at.
- Buy a pet nap 33'' plug in heat pad (chew proof wire).
- Buy 2 snugglesafes (as they can only be re-heated every 10 hours so you will need another once the other cools to much).
Quilling!
Quilling is something that all hedgehogs go through and it is a very sore and painful time for them. Their first quill is around 7-8 weeks until around 15 weeks some last longer, some shorter and obviously hedgehogs can quill after this time. This is when old quills fall out and new quills come through. Your hedgehog will be huffier than usual because it is very painful and will require your help sometimes, Bathing in Aveeno oil can help sooth the skin and Flaxseed oil can help give the skin that extra boost it needs. Flaxseed oil has been a god send to me, I really can't suggest it enough.
Mites....
Are you itching already? I know I am. Alot of back yard breeders are unaware of mites and sell on hoglets that have mites. Many good breeders treat their hogs and babies before they leave as a precaution. Mites are a very unpleasant experience for a hedgehog. They become very itchy, drop alot of quills and have very dry skin. Because the symptoms are similar to quilling its hard to say which your hedgehog has, there is however a little test you can do (if your eye sight is good enough).
Hold your hedgehog over a black clean surface (this can be a black sheet or any black surface of your choice, make sure there are no marks or bits already on it). Stroke your hedgehog over the black sheet and have a good look at the stuff that's come off your hedgehog. White bits can be bits of skin from quilling however if the white bits start moving, even just slightly (as they are very small mites) then you need to treat your hedgehog for mites.
I have not really experienced it myself however I am told mites have a life cycle of 5 weeks so two rounds of mite treatment will most likely be needed, however check the back of the box of whichever treatment you use.
Some safe ones to use are;
Hold your hedgehog over a black clean surface (this can be a black sheet or any black surface of your choice, make sure there are no marks or bits already on it). Stroke your hedgehog over the black sheet and have a good look at the stuff that's come off your hedgehog. White bits can be bits of skin from quilling however if the white bits start moving, even just slightly (as they are very small mites) then you need to treat your hedgehog for mites.
I have not really experienced it myself however I am told mites have a life cycle of 5 weeks so two rounds of mite treatment will most likely be needed, however check the back of the box of whichever treatment you use.
Some safe ones to use are;
- Xeno 50 mini
- Beaphar small animal spot on (the one with the guinea pig/rabbit and ferret on the front).