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What's this weird pink growth around quill?

6790 Views 16 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  iamdbf
Hello everyone--I'm new here and new to hedgehogs.

Mine has what looks like soft pink skin
encased around a quill on his back.
It doesn't resemble an ingrown quill
as it doesn't look like a bump on the surface
of his skin, or a pimple.
It's the same exact length of his other quills
and is basically the same size, it just looks like
it's wrapped in pink--almost like a skin tag or something.

He's not a baby and is not losing quills,
he's eating sleeping and messing his cage as normal.
His bedding is fleece, but browns and greens,
but the strange quill does look like pink fleece around it.

I didn't try to remove it or pull at it,
but I did brush my thumb against the quills
surrounding it, thinking it might dislodge
if it was something just stuck in there,
but it didn't move.

I'll try to attach a photo, though I've never done that before.

Thank you for any advice and help.
1 - 3 of 17 Posts
Is the pink on the quill, or on the skin?

If it is on the quill, it may be the breeder's way of marking the hedgie, with nontoxic paint or nail polish. If so, it's nothing to worry about. It's quite common for the color to stick around for a while.

If it's on the skin and looks irritated, watch to see if gets any better within the next day or so. If not, it'd probably be best to get your little pricklebutt to the vet and have it checked out. :)
Well now that is odd! :shock: No clue here, I'm interested to see what the others think.
Hmmm, perhaps your hedgie has taken to spearing miniature chili peppers with his quills? :lol:


I also think, if you don't find out what it is, a vet would be best. They'd probably just remove the quill, and then examine it. :?
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