[ryandty1]

Hi everyone! Long time reader and newer hedgie owner and I love you guys! You have answered every question I have except one. I know that quilling isn't normal after a certain age. My new hedgie (Snuggles) is a not quite two year old female. I have had her for about 3 weeks and in this time she has lost 2 quills that I know of and a couple look bent. I took her to the vet the day I got her and he said she was healthy and mite free. So I guess my question is is this normal or do I have to worry that she's contracted mites from our enviroment? Or could it be from stress of the move? She's very very friendly and affectionate to me and my kids so I can't see this as the case. Any advice would be wonderful! Thanks!

 

[Lilysmommy]

It sounds like it could just be stress from moving to a new home. Sometimes they will have stress-caused quill loss and it may occur several weeks or even a couple of months after the event that caused the stress. Shouldn't be anything to worry about, as long as she's still eating/drinking/pooping fine.

 

[ryandty1]

She definitely seems totally healthy otherwise! Thank you so much!

 

[Nancy]

Loosing a quill here and there is totally normal. Some hedgehogs will rarely loose a quill, others will loose a few a week.

Stress related quill loss would be very noticeable as they loose huge amounts of quills.

 

[ryandty1]

Thanks Nancy I appreciate it! Easing my mind. I don't want my poor girl to be suffering in anyway.