Sad that no one replied...
She's being put down right now.
She's being put down right now.
WHS-When to put down? How do I know quality of life is low?
Hi there, I'm new to this community. Yona, aka Hedgie, our African Pygmy Hedgehog, has recently been deteriorating. We've taken her to the vet a couple of times now, and they are suspicious of WHS as well. She was supposed to go to the vet this past Friday, but my family contracted Covid-19, so we couldn't go. She's going to the vet on the 17th.
A little background, if it's helpful:
She gets a free choice of 'Spikes Ultra Delight' food. Occasional live mealworm treats, and plenty of clean, fresh, water.
Recently she stopped eating, so we're giving Oxbow Critical Care Omnivore powder mixed with water and syringe fed twice a day. She's getting prescribed meds as well to help with the pain. She's stopped eating her normal food, as it's too hard for her to chew it. We are now having to syringe feed water. She's having trouble eating her mealworms too.
She's only about a year old. The cage is 75-80 degrees.
Current condition:
Currently, Hedgie is unable to walk. She started with wobbling and toppling over, then her rear legs slowly stopped working. Now, her front and hind ends can't move. She is currently unable to move at all, besides her head. We have to rinse her off daily because she defecates on her self and it gets rubbed and raw.
How and when do we know when the time comes to say goodbye? We are very sad and heartbroken and love her dearly. We want her to live as long as possible-but we certainly don't want her to be in pain.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
A little background, if it's helpful:
She gets a free choice of 'Spikes Ultra Delight' food. Occasional live mealworm treats, and plenty of clean, fresh, water.
Recently she stopped eating, so we're giving Oxbow Critical Care Omnivore powder mixed with water and syringe fed twice a day. She's getting prescribed meds as well to help with the pain. She's stopped eating her normal food, as it's too hard for her to chew it. We are now having to syringe feed water. She's having trouble eating her mealworms too.
She's only about a year old. The cage is 75-80 degrees.
Current condition:
Currently, Hedgie is unable to walk. She started with wobbling and toppling over, then her rear legs slowly stopped working. Now, her front and hind ends can't move. She is currently unable to move at all, besides her head. We have to rinse her off daily because she defecates on her self and it gets rubbed and raw.
How and when do we know when the time comes to say goodbye? We are very sad and heartbroken and love her dearly. We want her to live as long as possible-but we certainly don't want her to be in pain.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
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i just found this story and this is the saddest thing i have ever read
I'm so so sorry that hedgie was diagnosed with whs. My amazing pinky man was suffering with the same thing. He slowly deteriorated over the course of 2 months to the point where he's about where you were describing. Yesterday I took him to the vet and had to put him down, and it was probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do! When Pinky and I agreed that if he could no longer feed and water himself then it was time for him to go. Many people believe if they're disabled whatsoever, AKA can't run around etc, then it's time to put them down but I don't agree with that. My pinky live the life of rielly until his last night which was very painful for both of us as he couldn't stop squealing. Once hedgehogs can no longer enjoy their mealworms in my opinion it's time to go. It will definitely not get better but I will tell you this, I started pinky on a vitamin e addition to his food when he was really bad halfway through and it almost fixed him completely! Though when I stopped it he deteriorated fast. But if you want to give it a shot liquid vitamin e gel tabs popped and squeezed in food. I wish you the best your hedgy sounds like such an amazing little guy and you guys seem to be really good owners.. I will have you and hedgie man in my prayersHi there, I'm new to this community. Yona, aka Hedgie, our African Pygmy Hedgehog, has recently been deteriorating. We've taken her to the vet a couple of times now, and they are suspicious of WHS as well. She was supposed to go to the vet this past Friday, but my family contracted Covid-19, so we couldn't go. She's going to the vet on the 17th.
A little background, if it's helpful:
She gets a free choice of 'Spikes Ultra Delight' food. Occasional live mealworm treats, and plenty of clean, fresh, water.
Recently she stopped eating, so we're giving Oxbow Critical Care Omnivore powder mixed with water and syringe fed twice a day. She's getting prescribed meds as well to help with the pain. She's stopped eating her normal food, as it's too hard for her to chew it. We are now having to syringe feed water. She's having trouble eating her mealworms too.
She's only about a year old. The cage is 75-80 degrees.
Current condition:
Currently, Hedgie is unable to walk. She started with wobbling and toppling over, then her rear legs slowly stopped working. Now, her front and hind ends can't move. She is currently unable to move at all, besides her head. We have to rinse her off daily because she defecates on her self and it gets rubbed and raw.
How and when do we know when the time comes to say goodbye? We are very sad and heartbroken and love her dearly. We want her to live as long as possible-but we certainly don't want her to be in pain.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
1 - 6 of 6 Posts
