[rtc]

Hi,

I am a new hedgehog owner. HItch is about six weeks old and it's my first hedgehog. I just wanted a little advice from the faboulous folks here about a situation that happened this morning. I purchased a super silent spinner wheel for my hedgehog and left it in the pen last night as I headed for bed. My girlfriend got woken up by a huge scream from our hedgehog and he seems to have gotten a toe or nail stuck in a small gap in the wheel. We gently remove the toe/nail from the gap and he seemed to move off. I am just wondering if there is a way I could check his paw. We are very new to this and Hitch doesn't really like us handling him. Is there a way to get under there and make sure all is well? Should I consider a vet visit?

Thanks for any or all advice,
R.

 

[Nancy]

I'm sorry your little one got hurt. To see his foot, put him in a clear bowl or container and you will be able to see his foot. Depending on what you see, a vet visit might be needed.

I suggest taking the silent spinner back to the store. They are not a safe wheel. As you have already found out, the slit is dangerous. Some have covered the slits with tape or glue but then the rounded design means all the poop and urine can't drain out and the hedgehog runs even more in their poop.

The base of the Silent spinner is a poor design as the wheel extends out past the edge of the base. When a larger hedgehog enters or exits the wheel, it can tip over onto the hedgehog causing severe injury or death.

Both the nut at the back and the little disc at the front will unscrew with use causing the wheel to fall off the frame or the cage. All in all, it is a poorly designed unsafe wheel.

Comfort wheels are a much better option in a store bought wheel but bucket or cake walk wheels are the best choice. Cinca on here sells the cake walk wheels.

I hope Hitch's foot will be ok.

 

[Kalandra]

Will he uncurl while in your hands or near you? You may simply try holding him in your hands to see if he will uncurl and let the leg come out while trying to squirm. You can also try rolling him on his back and getting a peak while he uncurls to roll back over. I always try to get my hedgehogs used to being rolled on their backs and to uncurl fully, it makes leg checks for hair much easier.

Otherwise go for the clear container suggestion... just ensure he can't climb out. In case you haven't noticed yet, these little ones can be quite fast when they want to be. And can scale walls that you didn't think they could quickly.

 

[rtc]

I love this reply. The wheel has been removed and I will be sure to point out what you've mentioned to other perspective buyers. I will try and track down a better wheel in the next few days.

I will leave Hitch sleep a little bit more and perhaps this afternoon once he is a bit more relaxed I will attempt to place him in a clear bowl. If there is any injury, I will bring him asap to the vet.

Thanks,

R.

 

[rtc]

With my girlfriend he is a little bit cooperative and will uncurl a little. With me, he won't even get on my hand yet. I've been nibbled a few times and I will leave him come around to me. He has only be here in my apt. for the past three days.
R.

 

[LizardGirl]

Hey! I talked to you in chat last night, and just wanted to say good luck with Hitch! I hope his paw heals quick.

 

[rtc]

Thanks! And the talk was appreciated last night.
R.

 

[rtc]

Check his bottom by using a clear dish and everything seems good. His nails are getting a little long and it might be what is catching. When should I consider cutting them?

Cheers,

R.

 

[PixiesExoticHedgies]

I know what the bucket wheels are, but I have never heard of the cake walk wheel. I went to Cinca's website and didn't see any info about them. What do they look like?

 

[Nancy]

Hmmm, you're right. They aren't on her website. Wonder where they are advertised, Brenda, Reaper?

 

[PixiesExoticHedgies]

I even ran a search on GOOGLE and the only reference I could find was on THIS forum thread.

Pixie

 

[Reaper]

Here is the link showing a few pics.
http://hedgehogcentral.com/oldforum/index.php?showtopic=3087&hl=cake+walk

 

[intheend]

Just to let you know, you're going to have a hard time finding someone to build the cake walk wheel.

Sunshine Quills is still working on perfecting them so they aren't being sold. And I also emailed Heaven Sent Hedgehogs a few months ago and never heard back.

You could always try building it yourself. Then make sure you post pictures to encourage the rest of us! lol.

 

[Cinca]

I don't have them advertised or shown on my website as I'm not actively marketing them. However if you want to email me direct at [email protected] I can send you a picture and information.

 

[Cinca]

Hummm, I posted a reply but see it hasn't shown up.
The cakewalks are not advertised on my website as I'm not actively
trying to sell them. It's hard to keep up with the orders just by word
of mouth. Anyway, if you want to contact me at [email protected]
I can send a picture and answer any questions.

 

[Cinca]

Endtheend,
I did not receive your inquiry. If you don't hear from me on emails, its because they have
been lost in cyberspace and it's best to rewrite.

 

[rtc]

Follow-up. Hitch seems to be doing very well. He is running on his new, larger wheel without any issues. He has started eating a lot and making lots of poop. He is very active after about 10 PM and we find he has moved all the stuff in his habitat in the morning.

I have a few more questions for you guys; will Hedgies use Pine based litter? We've switched to an all natural pine based litter from Wal-Mart and he seems to only use it to dig in.

Also, how much food is about right for a seven week old hedgehog? I purchased prescription diet kitten food (the P/D type) and he has been eating at least 30 bits per night. Should I be giving him more? less? He has been adding a little bit of weight since last week. We purchased a nice little electronic scale and have been weighing him every few days just to make sure all is well.

Thanks again,

Richard.

P.S. I purchased a network camera and I will be setting it up over the next week. I should be able to provide a live feed for the little guy at some point. Nice camera can actually work down to 1 lux therefore almost in absolute darkness.

 

[PixiesExoticHedgies]

cinca,

I just sent you an email, with request for information. If you don't get it, let me know.

Pixie

 

[Nancy]

All hedgehogs, babies especially should be free fed meaning make sure he has food at all times. Once you have him a while you will get to know how much he eats and you can put slightly more than that amount in his dish. All hedgehogs eat a different amount of food. Some will eat 20 kibble in a 24 hour time frame, others 70 or 80. Babies usually eat more than adults. Babies take growth spurts just like human kids.

Do you mean pine pellets in the litter box only or as bedding? As a litter it is ok. Personally I prefer Yesterdays News or a couple sheets of paper towel. As a bedding pine pellets shouldn't be used. Not only is in uncomfortable to sleep and walk on but when it gets wet it breaks down into sawdust which isn't good for their respiratory system.

Sounds like he'es doing fine.

 

[rtc]

Thanks a lot Nancy. Very appreciated as usual.

Will add more food to his dish and see what happens. His appetite seems to be going up and up.

R.