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10-26-2010 02:05 AM | |||||
dragonfly3007 |
Re: Strange behaviour, vague "symptoms", LOTS of info Quote:
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![]() UPDATE!! I covered her cage this evening by putting the towel on the front of the cage and down the sides instead of leaving it along the back and only covering half of the sides. I woke her up around 11pm before I covered her, and it is now 1am and I am happy to report that she has been running on her wheel/eating since then (I keep peeking at her and also can hear when she's crunching on her kibble). I also ordered a snuggle bag to hopefully help control her body temperature. Hopefully all this trouble was just a developed sensitivity to light and a big BIG thank you to everyone who has commented on this post and helped me out ![]() |
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10-26-2010 01:29 AM | |||||
Hedgieonboard |
Re: Strange behaviour, vague "symptoms", LOTS of info Has your Grandma had the oxygen machine since you have had your hedgie? The reason I ask is if she had gotten after or if you just started sharing the room it may be possible the noise may play into the equation. My Grandma has one and when I visited I remember it made a hissing like noise when the oxygen comes out. This may be nothing but it was something that came to mind when I was thinking over all the factors that this may or may not be affecting it. Hope you find out and the best of luck to you and your little one ![]() |
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10-25-2010 11:02 PM | |||||
Puffers315 |
Re: Strange behaviour, vague "symptoms", LOTS of info If you're thinking about a different cage, one thing that is used by many owners are plain old clear Steralite storage bins, they're cheap, easy to clean, all you need to do is add some vent holes to the side by either cutting/drilling/melting them into it. Most get two but basically you get the largest you can handle. The double bin idea is mainly you have one for their housing, food and water dishes, then the second one has their wheel inside, you connect them via 5 inch PVC pipe piece. Its not what I used, I got a large Ferret Nation just because I liked the cages, though I think if I had to do it again, I would have gone for a C&C or Storage Bin house. |
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10-25-2010 09:58 PM | |||||
dragonfly3007 |
Re: Strange behaviour, vague "symptoms", LOTS of info Quote:
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10-25-2010 09:56 PM | |||||
Nancy |
Re: Strange behaviour, vague "symptoms", LOTS of info Sometimes it's not so much that windows are drafty but that they radiate cold. Putting the plastic window kits over the windows usually really helps in keeping out the cold. A quick easy fix for the metal bottomed cage is to get a piece of coroplast and cut to fit tight inside the metal base. A plastic igloo with some fleece inside or a baby receiving blanket makes a good bed if you can't find bags. Nikki on here sells bags. http://quillsnthings.webs.com/accessoriesforsale.htm ![]() |
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10-25-2010 09:51 PM | |||||
susanaproenca |
Re: Strange behaviour, vague "symptoms", LOTS of info I'd recommend the Carolina Storm Wheel, LarryT here on the forum sells them. Just type the name of the wheel on the search tool. It's very safe, easy to clean and comfortable on hedgie's little feet. ![]() |
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10-25-2010 09:44 PM | |||||
dragonfly3007 |
Re: Strange behaviour, vague "symptoms", LOTS of info Quote:
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As far as the wheel goes, I didn't have any luck finding one in one of the four different pet stores I went to (that wasn't either way too small or way too big), so I'm probably going to have to order one. Thank you for the tips on adjustment though! Quote:
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I don't think my room is terribly drafty, but since we do have older windows and there are 3 of them I put the towel up just as a precaution. I think that as someone else mentioned in an earlier comment, the main concern when it comes to temperature is the fact that she has a metal bottom cage. It would explain her body temp being either warm or cool and I'm trying to find a snuggle thing for her, but the only ones I can find in pet stores are for ferrets and are way too big/hanging type. I'm going to try to find one online to order but so far all I've found is make-it-yourself or listings on Etsy. Do you have any recommendations for the snuggle bags? I checked the wheel again and it's actually 9" (not a big difference, I know) but she is small and fits comfortably on it. I'm looking into the bucket-style but wasn't able to find one in-store (I went to 4 different places). Do you have any good online recommendations for the wheels as well? Again, a great big thank you to everyone who's been posting replies! |
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10-25-2010 07:16 PM | |||||
Nancy |
Re: Strange behaviour, vague "symptoms", LOTS of info Heat rises so the heater should be on the floor. If you need to enclose the sides of the cage to prevent drafts, it is best to use heavy clear plastic as it still allows light through but no drafts. You can buy it by the yard at fabric stores and it comes in various thicknesses. Attach it using either binder clips or clothespins. At 8.5" the wheel is smaller than is recommended for a hedgehog but if she is very tiny it might be okay. As others have mentioned, mesh wheels are not recommended as they can catch toes and feet. To make the wheel safe, you can attach craft foam to the running surface. |
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10-25-2010 06:22 PM | |||||
Alastrina |
Re: Strange behaviour, vague "symptoms", LOTS of info I wanted to add a comment about the wheel you pictured; my hedgehog ran on a wheel just like this one before and for a short time after I brought him home, and it was tearing up the pads of his feet. After giving your hedgie a foot bath, see how the foot pads look, paying special attention to anything that looks like a cut or abrasion. This might have something to do with a lack of wheeling. I definitely recommend a cake wheel, they're easy on little feet and a breeze to clean. ~Katie |
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10-25-2010 05:51 PM | |||||
Puffers315 |
Re: Strange behaviour, vague "symptoms", LOTS of info Light can be a very important factor with hedgehogs. My girl Hester didn't really first really care about my desk lamp or tv/monitor glow, but as she has grown older and is getting close to being a year old, she now won't come out until its almost pitch black. My 2 year old boy Loki will -not- come out unless he has total utter darkness. About a month back I had replaced the blackout curtain on his cage with a blanket, and it was enough that it let just a little light into his cage, and he stopped wheeling and being active, he'd eat and drink but that was it. A black out curtain might be something to look into, I was using this on my cage, towels on the side and the curtain on the front. The curtain is a lighter material than a towel or blanket, and I left the back of the cage uncovered and about 2 inches from the wall so there was some sort of air flow. The curtain specifically blocks out 99.9% of the light. And if you got the Carolina Storm Wheel, the angle of the tilt can be adjusted, you might try if you're worried to tilt it backwards a touch, until she gets the hang of it. I've never had neither of my guys fall out from running on it, and its angled just enough that urine and typically poop will come off. |
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