help! hedgehog fall

[sebastian]

I'm a new owner, I've had Porn for a month today... and he just fell. I was letting him explore my room, I scooped him up to keep him away from the space heater, and he fell/jumped out of my hand, a height of maybe 2.5 feet. He acted completely normal, immediately got up and started exploring again, but I saw a post by Ash Liz recently about her hedgie dying after falling 3-4 feet. Do I wait to see if he starts acting strangely, or try to get him to a vet immediately?

[paris26]

I would take him to a vet. A fall can be deadly for a hedgie as you saw in the thread that you mentioned.
Better to be on the safe side and take him to a vet ASAP.

[herbiesmom]

My husband had Herbie at the kitchen table giving him a treat and Herbie took off and took a flying leap off of the table. Scared me to death. But he was just fine. After I finished chewing on Daddy's but for having him on the kitchen table to begin with, I asked a few good folks I know and they said many of their hedgies have fallen and been just fine. Herbie landed on his side and rolled himself upright in seconds. He did not scream or act injured. I stayed up for too nights watching him while he wheeled, ate, drank and pooped. No injury and he is fine. Thank goodness. If your hedgie is moving around ok, eating, drinking, and wheeling ok and has no signs of bruising bleeding or broken limbs. He is probably fine too.

[Nancy]

I agree with Tawana. I'd take him to the vet also, just to be sure. They hide illness and injury so well and if he did get hurt, by the time he shows it could be too late.

[sebastian]

That's comforting, thank you. He got up immediately and was running around like nothing had happened.. I'm keeping an eye on him, but he seems to be okay.

[sebastian]

A few hours he still seems to be fine, but I am going to take him to the vet as soon as it opens in the morning. Thanks for your input.

[HedgieHaven]

I agree with a visit to the vet. While I have never had one fall that far just a few inches. I have taken in hedgies that have fell off beds. They had broken legs. Vet called me for aftercare and replacement. Ghost healed fine but Runt only lasted 2 days after seeing the vet. One can never be to carefull when it comes to little buddies we love.

[Pringlesmom]

I'm sorry about the fall and let us know what the vet says.

[Jeanette]

How is your little guy doing? Um, Porn you call him? lmao
I had Spiny fall one time, but it wasn't the same... he fell about 7 inches on to a pillow.
I had him on the bed and he wriggled out of my hands (this was when I first got him) and onto the pillow.
The only thing was that he never curls up into a ball.
So, if he were to fall for real, then there would be a lot more dammage than say a hedgie who usually curls up at the first sign of danger!

[herbiesmom]

Herbie balled as he was falling and so had quills for a shock absorber. Also, I am a nurse and was able to feel his legs and spine and check him out well for hidden bruises. Although I do not specialize in animals, I have a keen sense of what a spine should feel like and what normal bones feel like.