What to Look for ?

[emilylucy]

Hi there, so I was just wondering if someone could tell me how to examine my hedgie on a daily basis to check for health issues. I want to make sure he is healthy and happy So if anyone could tell me where and what to look for that would be great! Thanks!

[I<3Hejji]

Every morning I check Hejji to make sure he is alive and warm, to make sure he didn't get any threads or hair wrapped around his legs (can cut off circulation), to make sure his toenails are ok (not bleeding), and make sure he has nothing stuck in his penis (I used to use carefresh and found some stuck in there before, switched to fleece that night!).

Each night I check the same things when we snuggle, and also look closer at his quills to make sure he doesn't have any redness or sores. I also do a general look over to make sure I don't see any tumors growing, or any bubbles coming out of his nose/sneezing.

It is also important to check to make sure he is pooping/peeing and that it appears normal, and that he is eating and drinking and wheeling.

All of this takes about a minute

[emilylucy]

seems like I do that already!
just wanted to make sure im not missing anything, thanks for a quick response

[Kenzi]

I<3Hejji covered pretty much everything

The other thing I do is check my girl's ears. Mila had a quill poking through hers one night I also check to see if they are excessively dry or tattered. Sometimes I put some flax oil directly on the back of her ears.

I also check their skin. Mila's skin is usually fairly dry. If its really dry and its not her normal day for flax oil to be added to her food, I'll add some, I also add some to her bath water.