[Dana]

Hello everyone. I've been MIA for awhile but all is well, at least, I think. Yesterday, I was trimming Spikerina's nails and, at 45, had to make a big move towards cheater glasses! I'm not sure if it was the added magnification or if something's wrong, but her ears looked curly on the edge and dry. Her skin looked dry, too. In fact, in the bath, there was a quill with a small bit of dry skin attached when it was shed.

Any thoughts or advice?

Thanks,
Dana

 

[ILOVElily]

i am no expert but be4 i got my hedgie i researched and maybe she can have mites if she has dandruff and shes itching, and the ears... maybe she has a... i think its called funggal infection i am not sure maybe she is just dry in general i dunno
when my hedgie gets dandruff or gets itchy with dry skin i give a warm oatmeal bath ( aveeno baby ) it usually will mosturize the skin and she will stop sheding.

HOPE I HELPED

 

[Immortalia]

For tattered ears, most use lanolin(human nipple cream). During baths, I usually rub some between my fingers, then rub it only my boy's ears to keep them moisturized. However, not all hedgies like the smell of it, so vaseline works as well, and so does whatever oil you normally add to the bath.

If you do a search on bathing and flax seed oil, you'll find a few threads on using oils during baths to help moisturize the skin.

And I'm glad she's doing well! ^_^

 

[Dana]

Thanks so much. I did a search after I posted and saw some helpful hints along the lines of what you've both mentioned. Ironically, I got a post card from my exotic vet saying everyone needed a check-up, so maybe it's just as well. Will try oil between now and then as I'm worried about not having the appt. right away w/ the holidays, etc. I haven't been adding anything to her bath! I feel awful - just didn't know...

Dana

 

[krbshappy71]

For tattered ears, most use lanolin(human nipple cream). During baths, I usually rub some between my fingers, then rub it only my boy's ears to keep them moisturized. However, not all hedgies like the smell of it, so vaseline works as well, and so does whatever oil you normally add to the bath.

If you do a search on bathing and flax seed oil, you'll find a few threads on using oils during baths to help moisturize the skin.

And I'm glad she's doing well! ^_^

Can vegetable oil be used or does it have to be olive oil, do you know?

 

[Immortalia]

I'm not too sure. It's always just been olive oil, Vit E oil, or Flax Seed oil.

I think somewhere mentions that flax oil is water soluble so it can wash off with the next bath. Plus, I supplement with flax oil as well, so it all works out really well.

And I found the thread ^_^
http://www.hedgehogcentral.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=878&p=7735&hilit=soluble+flax#p7735

 

[Herisson]

I started using Jojoba oil on Herisson's skin and it's really nice. He was having a ingrown quill problem and Nancy recommended it. It has no scent and is a lighter consistency.

 

[LarryT]

I started using Jojoba oil on Herisson's skin and it's really nice. He was having a ingrown quill problem and Nancy recommended it. It has no scent and is a lighter consistency.

Where can you buy Jojoba oil?

 

[Herisson]

I bought mine from the Vitamin Shoppe:
http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/b ... id=VS-1697

 

[Hedgieonboard]

I'm going to have to check out the Jojoba Oil, ty for suggesting it