[casemac]

Hi Nancy! Is it common for hedgies to get sty's? Or any other like problem? I know they are very prone to cancer so we are slightly freaking out. Sneezy has just developed what we thought was a crust on his right eye. I tried to wipe it away with some warm water and a towel, but as I saw it move it seemed like a little growth that was red on the inner part against his eye. He didnt act as though it hurt- and he would have let is know while we were touching it! Should we call the vet?
Thanks so much for your help!
-Casey

 

[Nancy]

I'd get him to the vet and have it checked out. I've never dealt with anything like a sty but have had two tumours that outwardly were just a tiny red protrusion of skin. Abby's was in the inner corner of her eye and Kesia's was under the top eyelid.

You can use a human eye drop on him and see if it helps while you are waiting for an appointment. Polysporin eye drops are fine to use.

 

[casemac]

Oh No! I made an appointment for early next week, thank you for your help! Sneezy is our baby and we are hoping we can get this taken care of asap! Im wondering though- obviously it can vary- but are we talking thousands of dollars for an exotic oncologist?

 

[Nancy]

In both of mine, the tumours were extensive by the time the little protrusion became visible. The roof of Abby's mouth was basically mush with the tumour extending from her eye to her mouth. Kesia had surgery and the vet phoned during it to say the tumour was extensive and she would have to remove her eye. I said to go ahead and shortly after she phoned to say they had lost her on the table. Had she survived, my vet said she would not have lasted long because the tumour was so extensive.

Don't let my experience scare you. Sneezy's could be something minor and easily cured.

 

[FiaSpice]

Idon't think you're scring Nancy. It's better to act fats in those case.

 

[casemac]

Re: Eye question...? UPDATE

MITES!!! I took him to the vet yesterday and his spots around his eye had gone away on one eye, and showed up on another. We had heard him itching, but figured it was because of the cold weather- turns out he has feline mites in his ear, an early case- but thats what caused all the itching- and the itching caused the red spots. YEY! Thank god he is ok, I dont know what we would do w/o our baby. Thank you, and everyone on this site for having the best hedgie info!!
-Casey