Scared !

[Ginger]

Tuesday, Kiwi will go to the vet. For the first time. I want her to see the vet because she doesn't play anymore at nights. And I know it is warm enough in the room were her cage is (75-76).

So it is something else. But what, I don't know ! Nose, eyes, body heat, ears, legs, everything seems fine. She eats enough, drinks enough and poo enough. She just get a lot of weight recently because she doesn't play at nights. At 5 months old, she weighs 525 gr. :( . I gave her small quantities of food (1 tablespoon and a half each day, that's all). 1/3 of that quantity is Pro-Plan adult formula and 2/3 is Royal Canin.She didn't exercice and now, she's fat ! :(

I am scared about this first visit to the vet. :|

Fear #1
I read here on this forum that she is not that competent. I don't know if it is true but it is the only ONE in my region. The nearest after that is 230 km from here !

Fear #2
It could sound silly but I fear she catches mites at the vet. What if there is a dog with mites who get an appointment just before Kiwi and a mite jump onto her spines ? :|

Fear #3
I fear that Kiwi catch a cold while going to the vet. It is very cold outside. We already have to wear hats and gloves. Of course, I will wrap her in a lots of blankies but I hope the temperature in the car will be ok. I will bring the thermometer into the car I have rented to go there. Gee, this visit will be so expensive !. I really love Kiwi and want the best for her.

I wanted to know about the fees of the vet if they are ok and not exagerated. They tell me a visit is 44 plus taxes (50.60 $) and the analysis of poo 18$ plus taxes (20.70$). I ask how much are the med is she have to take some and they says that for a hedgehog, it is around 23 $. And in addition to that, there is the location of the car ! :( . It is big money for someone will have no more work at the end of december !

I think the vets are in Canada are a lot more expensive then in the USA. Am I right ?

(sigh).

[Ginger]

Oh yes, I forgot to say: there is a lots of light during the day in the room where her cage is.

[pickyhedgies]

Ginger,

You have valid worries, but I probably wouldn't worry that much. You say Kiwi is 5 months old? She is now lazy and getting fat? Have you tried giving her free roam time in a supervised area like a bedroom, family room, hall, or kitchen, someplace where she can't get away and hide. That might help bring back her exercise regiment. Also with the temperature changes and light changes I am sure she is affected.

As far as taking her to the vet and her getting sick from going there, those odds are very small. I have taken plenty of hedgehogs to the vet and they did not catch anything. I'm not even sure if dogs get mites. If the vet is good they should clean the room with a disinfectant before you hedgehog enters.
I would make sure she is snug and warm in her carrier on the way to the vets, and keep her out of drafts, but I think she will take the trip fine.

As far as vet costs, the ones you mention above are not out of line from what I can see. My vet charges $49 for an office visit. $20 for a fecal exam, and depending on the medicine the cost can range anywhere from $15 to $60 so I would say your paying up there pretty much what I am paying down here.

I wish you the best of luck with Kiwi's vet visit and please keep us posted.

Hugs
J

[Nancy]

You cannot tell by weight alone if hedgies are overweight. I have ones that range from 260's to 800's. It just depends on the hedgie. Also different hedgies have different shapes, just like people. There are long lean ones and short more rounded ones.

Is she still wheeling and if not is there a reason? Does the wheel spin smoothly etc?

Your vet prices are the same as here and that seems to be pretty standard at least for Canada.

To ensure she stays warm you can use a mitten warmer in her carrier.

[Love4Hedgies]

Aw poor Kiwi! Let us know how it goes!!! :)

[Ginger]

Thanks !

I know I worry too much !

The visit to the vet is tuesday at 9h15.

I keep you updated.

[Kalandra]

I wrote an article last year for the IHA newsletter and it is now on Hedgehog Central titled "winter travel tips". You may want to take a look at that to get some ideas about winter traveling. Its something I hate to do, but sometimes we just can't get around it. Anyway... the article is at http://www.hedgehogcentral.com/winter.shtml if you want to take a peak at it.

In regards to fear 2. I have had hedgehogs for 8 years now, and believe me there are a ton of vet visits in there. Maui had monthly, and biweekly visits for a while due to cancer treatments. I've never had a hedgehog get a mite from a vet visit. I never take my hedgehogs out when in a waiting room, and typically try to keep them away from the other animals as much as possible. I figure the vet visit is stressful enough (especially if the hedgehog is ill); no need to add people oohing and ahhing over them.


I don't think that your vet prices are all that high. The amounts you quote are in Canadian dollars correct? I'm in the US and pay $30-35 us for vet visits. Fecals (I usually get for free) but if my vet's price list shows they cost $15 US. And antibiotics have always run somewhere between $20-50 US. Now considering that the current exchange rate from us to candian is $1.19 today that would make vet visits $35-41 can, fecals $18, meds 24-60 can. Looks like they fall about in line (btw I've paid up to $50 just for a vet visit before). Sadly exotics are expensive.

[Ginger]

I am actually giving her free room but she don't run or do anything.
She just stay still. :|

Usuaully, she runs and play like crazy in her park...
I don't like that ! :(

Thanks Kalandra, I will read that article you wrote. :)

Also, I know that Kiwi throws up when travelling in car. Is there anything I could do about that ?

[Ginger]

Okay ! Now she runs !

I guess she was just a little shy ! :rolleyes:

Great article Kalandra ! :applause: Thanks, it helped me !

[Ododad]

Sometimes Odo gets in the mood where she just dosen't want to run and explore. Other times you can't catch her! I think they all just go through moods. Let us know how the vet visit turned out please.