[unquietdesign]

Hi,
I have a 4.5 year old hedgie, Ogden, who seems to be near the end of his life, as he has a twice enlarged heart (gets Lasix daily), and spinal arthritis (Metacam as needed, and glucosamine-chondroitin daily). He was diagnosed with those two things a year ago, and though he has some mobility problems, he can eat and get to his water bottle on his own, and he behaves normally. An x-ray one month ago showed his heart had not increased in size, nor had his spinal arthritis progressed, so I'm predicting he'll outlive me, and I'm only 37.
After giving him a bath today, I noticed the swellings and the bridge of skin that is right past his forehead, where the fur stops and the quills begin. He's never been a fan of being touched up there, and this time was no exception. But, I think the two pictures are enough to show what I mean. Has anyone encountered this?

 

[Nancy]

What is the thing that is going from side to side? It doesn't look like it, but is it a quill? I've had that happen here that a quill from one side of the visor stuck into the skin at the other side.

Otherwise, I have no clue. You could try a wee bit of poly or neosporin but otherwise, I think it would be best to see the vet.

 

[shetland]

To me that stretched section looks like perhaps scar tissue?

 

[Nancy]

Yeah, it does doesn't it. In the bottom picture though, it looks as if there is space underneath it. It's weird.

 

[unquietdesign]

There isn't a quill stuck underneath the skin, it's extra skin that has grown between. Maybe it's just due to older age--or like a skin tag. As we are treating him as near the end of his life, we don't want to engage in any extraordinary measures to treat him. I just thought maybe someone had seen this before, on one of their hedgies. I really appreciate this website as a super reference, and whenever I mention its name, Hedgehog Central, to people, they are amused by it. I think it's a cute name, too.
Ogden has managed on three legs for almost all of his life, since one had to be amputated when he was 3 months old, and seems to have an incredible will to remain under my care. Interestingly, his enlarged heart and spinal arthritis mimic my 95-year-old grandma's health problems, too, and she adores him. When the vet told me Ogden had an enlarged heart, I immediately thought of how my grandma has lived with an enlarged heart for at least 10-15 years. It gave me hope for Ogden that a heart attack wasn't necessarily around the corner for him.

Heidi Olson
Chicago, IL, USA

 

[LizardGirl]

Hope your little guy hangs in there! The sides do look swollen, though I'm not sure there's a lot to be done except keep an eye on them for growth. To me they look like tumors though they could be anything. At his age and fragile health I think it's smart to not put him under for any treatment.

 

[shetland]

To me, it's just so wonderful to see how cherished little Ogden is by his family. No matter what happens, he will receive the best of care and always know that he is loved.

 

[tie-dye hedgie]

Very true shetland, very true.
Ogden has been treated like a king up until this point and, clearly, always will be!