Rubbing and scratching ear

[Vincent]

It's rare that I get to see Vincent awake. When I bring him out to 'socialize', he just sprawls out on my lap.

I sat by his cage a few minutes ago, and watched him wake up. He stretched, and rubbed one side of his face against his liner. Then, after nibbling on his food, he began scratching the same side of his face. Mostly the ear area.

During his baths, he's gotten his head wet. He'll trip himself and dunk his head underwater, so there's the possibility that he has water in one ear. (I'm assuming it's only affecting one ear, because he didn't pay any attention to the left side of his face.) His last bath was a month ago (minus the sponge bath yesterday, although that came nowhere near his face) and I'm concerned that he might be in pain.

I looked up swimmer's ear, but that said the pain is usually present several days after water gets into the ear canal. I didn't notice these symptoms until recently. Am I reading too much into this, and is there even a cure for an ear infection in hedgehogs? Should I make a vet appointment? Or is it normal for hedgehogs to rub their faces against stuff?

Any insight is appreciated. Thanks!

[freznow]

I don't know, but I think that's normal... I know mine scratches a little after he wakes up, and I think that it might be he slept on that side or something... But I don't know, so you'll wanna wait for somebody else... I haven't noticed if Rico scratches on one side or both...

[HedgieMate]

I can't say an ear infection is totally out of question, but, at least for our Geoffrey, rubbing his face against the liner is quite normal, especially when he's waking up. He does that during his playtime too; while running very fast, he would tilt and rub the entire side of his body -- from face to tail -- against the carpet, almost like fish gliding its body against a rock. :)

[Nancy]

Yes, there is a cure for ear infection in hedgehogs. They need antibiotic or sometimes just ear drops.

It is possible he could have gotten an ear infection from dunking his head but it doesn't happen that often and I think there would have been symptoms before now.

If he is continually bugging at the same ear over a couple of days, I'd take him to be checked. Usually if they are just scratching because it feels good they do it all over and both sides. :)

[Vincent]

Just thought I'd update on the situation. :)

I stayed up until 3 last night to watch Vincent again, and the scratching/rubbing isn't concentrated on one ear after all! He rolled all over, rubbed both sides of his face on his liner, and scratched his other ear.

So it was just a case of 'paranoid mom syndrome'. Lol!

[AlbertaGirl]

So it was just a case of 'paranoid mom syndrome'. Lol!


And as we all know, there's no cure for that! :rofl: