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Early WHS? Help!

2K views 10 replies 5 participants last post by  kris_jprice 
#1 ·
So I've noticed only in the past few days Koosh has been acting odd. First, when we gave him a little foot bath, first, things were normal like any other foot bath day, but at one point he started to just walk in circles over and over. So I took him out and set him on the carpet and whenever he started to walk he kind of stumbled to one side for a second like he had to get his balance or footing.

Then, last night I noticed he was only walking on his wheel. He usually runs pretty fast all night but he was clearly only walking. He didn't let me get a look at him while doing it and I'm going to see about setting up a camera tonight. It sounded like he took a few steps, then stopped, then a few more steps, then stopped. Once or twice he'd speed up a little bit, but not for long. Keep in mind, this was around 4am and I went to bed around 12. So this could have been towards the end of his "day" and he may have been tired.

I've included a link to a picture of his cage setup. I'm going to let him walk around the yard tonight so I can monitor him better.

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i8/th ... AG0457.jpg
 
#3 ·
Walking in circles is usually caused by an ear infection or ear imbalance although tumours, stroke etc can also cause it.

Have him walk on a flat, non slippery surface. Thick pile carpet, grass, or rough surfaces won't give you an accurate picture of how he is walking.

What is his cage temperature? Nights are starting to get cool and this is the time of year when hibernation attempts are starting.

Before you jump to WHS conclusion, he needs a vet check because there are so many things that can mimic whs.

Good luck. :)
 
#4 ·
His cage is usually between 72-76 and trust me, it's not getting cool anytime soon in TN. It's sill over 100 degrees daily.

I'll let him walk on the carpet today and if it's still a concern, I'll take him to the vet. I just don't have the money for a vet visit atm, but I can't stand the idea that my little buddy is sick. :(
 
G
#5 ·
kris_jprice said:
His cage is usually between 72-76 and trust me, it's not getting cool anytime soon in TN. It's sill over 100 degrees daily.

I'll let him walk on the carpet today and if it's still a concern, I'll take him to the vet. I just don't have the money for a vet visit atm, but I can't stand the idea that my little buddy is sick. :(
As Nancy said to get a good idea you'll want a flat non-slippery surface for your hedgehog to walk upon to get a good idea of an issue with mobility.
 
#6 ·
Use a cage liner, sit it on a solid surface and let him walk on it.

The best advice we can give you is to take him into the vet and allow the vet to examine him.

When Cooper was battling with chronic inner ear infections the first symptom I noticed was a decrease in his night wheel running distance. Later I noticed him stumble a bit with his front leg.

As ear infections progress, they can develop head tilt, circle, scratching at the ear, twitching of his ear, head shake, etc. If allowed too long the ear drum will rupture and you may see blood or discharge coming from the ear. Inner ear infections are painful and they can turn deadly.
 
#11 ·
The vet said it might be Enteritis.

It might be because he went without mealworms for so long then one night I gave him two (of the big ones). I had been giving him two in a row when I did give him one. I'll be giving him one at a time for now on.

I'm giving him medicine orally twice a day. Lucky for me, he started chewing on the syringe immediately, so this shouldn't be hard.


He was kind of a butt head at the vet, though. But he probably just didn't feel good, and he didn't want to be up at that hour either.
 
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