[woahamie]

Okay, so I'm FINALLY getting my hedgie this weekend, he's about four months old now. The thing is, my mom is worried about him and having rabies... should I be concerned? Because if he does have a chance at having rabies, then I can't get my baby boy.

 

[Hedgieonboard]

I've never heard of a pet hedgie having rabies unless for some reason it was left outside unattended where it could have been in contact with a wild animal that had it. Hedgies aren't supposed to be let outside though except on maybe a very warm day where the owner is supervising when they play making sure they don't get into anything. I could be wrong on this so wait for more replys but hedgies are breed in captivity in the US and all hedgehogs here are from the hedgies that came over in the 90's before importation was made illegal. It seems like rabies would be a very very low risk.

 

[LarryT]

The chances of a pet hedgie getting rabies is not very likely at all,IMO nothing to worry about

 

[woahamie]

Okay, thank you sooo much everyone!

I can't wait to get him! I'm so indecisive about names!
I need to start setting up his cage for his arrival this weekend.

Any tips on what I should do the first time I handle him?

 

[krbshappy71]

Let him rest for about two days, before handling him. It will be a big adjustment of smells and sounds. Put a t-shirt or small article of clothing (no loose strings!) with your scent on it in his cage, that helps them get used to your smell as well.

I'd say go slow, you may want to use a small fleece blanket when handling the first time as he/she more than likely will be very pokey and huffy the first time. I read somewhere that shorter, more frequent handling is better than longer episodes. It seemed to help with Whyte. I would take him out a few times for only 5-10 minutes, then put him back. In time, you can increase the time as they relax more and start to enjoy you, its just to get them used to being handled, scooped up.

Riley, my already socialized boy, will sleep on my lap for hours.

 

[Kalandra]

As a side note. If mom ever sees him frothing/foaming at the mouth, its not rabies, its anointing. I have had to explain to someone before their hedgehog wasn't rabid, but was doing a very normal hedgehog behavior.