Bleeding feet

[boscobaby8]

Every so often, after a long night of running, my Bosco's foot will bleed. If I take the wheel away for a day or two, it stops, but then it will start again a week or so later. He doesn't limp or anything, I think it may be a burn. I don't want to take him to a vet because they're very costly and hard find one where I live (the Boonies of Illinois). If anyone has any advice, I'd appreciate it.

[PrettyHate]

Every so often, after a long night of running, my Bosco's foot will bleed. If I take the wheel away for a day or two, it stops, but then it will start again a week or so later. He doesn't limp or anything, I think it may be a burn. I don't want to take him to a vet because they're very costly and hard find one where I live (the Boonies of Illinois). If anyone has any advice, I'd appreciate it.

My hedgies name is Bosco too!! You didnt name your guy after the cop on Third Watch did you? :love:

What is the surface of your wheel made of? Are his nails too long? Does he lick at his feet alot? How is the rest of his skin? (under his quills etc) When you look at his feet, do you notice anything abnormal about the skin? Is it dry and cracking maybe?

You mention that it goes away if you take the wheel away...but just out of curiosity, what type of bedding material and/or litter are you using? Maybe that is also causing irritation to his little feet.

Let us know, just so we have a little more to work with :)

[pickyhedgies]

When he runs on his wheel does he pee and poop in it? Does he develop poop boots? If the poop stays on their feet for long periods of time the skin will get sore and rash like. If he is pooping and peeing on his wheel you might need to let him walk through some warm water in the sink in the mornings to help keep his feet clean. I have one hedgehog that we fight with his feet being sore all the time. He loves his wheel, but can't seem to connect mentally the poop and pee with sore feet. We wash his feet everyday and put Neosporin on them twice a week to help them heal. His feet are always sore looking, but they don't seem to actually bother him.

Hope this helps some.
Jeanne

[Nancy]

Is his wheel clean? Sometimes a bit of dried poop can be sharp and injure their feet.

Some hedgies are just wheel fanatics. They will run till their feet bleed. I have a couple who do that on occasion and they end up having to have the wheel removed for a day or two. I have found that it happens more so with younger hedgies who have not had a wheel for long. It seems as they get older their feet seem to toughen up a bit.

Just make sure his wheel and his feet are poop free. :)

[PrettyHate]

When he runs on his wheel does he pee and poop in it? Does he develop poop boots?

:laugh: That is the PERFECT way to describe it!! Poop boots! I LOVE it!

[hedgewood]

lmao....literally.......poop boots...........that is soo funny. what an awsome expression.

[boscobaby8]

Thanks everyone...I let him run around in water this morning. He does poop in his wheel a LOT. I gave his wheel to him last night and no blood, so cross your fingers everyone! He has lots of fur, no cuts or bald spots, and his nails are clipped regularly. I think the poop boots makes sense, though since he poops so much in it. I do clean it every day (which is not fun, lol). Thanks everyone for the help, I'll keep y'all updated! :)

[boscobaby8]

One more thing...Bosco has a few notches from his ears...are these mites? He doesn't seem to have them in his fur, what do I do about those?

[Nancy]

Ragged ears can be mites, fungas or just dry ears. Try rubbing something like vasaline on his ears. Make sure whatever you use is non scented or it will drive hedgie nuts. I use nipple cream like nursing moms use. I find it works the best of anything and is non toxic and scent free. :)

[pickyhedgies]

Nancy's suggestions for nipple cream is great. I use that as well as small amounts of baby oil rubbed on with a q-tip usually the patches pull right off after they are softened.

How are Bosco's feet doing?

Hugs
J