blue fezzi

[fezzi's mum]

I have found my Fezzi cold a few times this winter, which, he has had issues for awhile now, but he is REALLY having a hard time walking. I thought I had remedied the situation each time (temperature wise), but I didn't. :( I guess my question is can hedgehogs recouperate from being cold/trying to hibernate when it's happened more than once in a short period of time? Will he get better? He did okay last winter, but I must have done something different then. Did I ruin my poor Fezzi?

[paris26]

I would keep very close tabs on the temp in your hedgie area. Maybe consider adding a broad spectrum light to Fezzi's cage for 12 hours. Nancy (teasel's mom) does this on her girl that's been caught twice. I've just added a light to Annabelle's area of the hedge room because she tried to hibernate last week even though the temps in my room is 75F and they all have heating pads. I haven't seen any difference yet, but I'm hoping that will do the trick for me.
How old is your hedgie?

[fezzi's mum]

He's over 2. I'm kind of clueless about the whole light thing, where did you get the broad spectrum lamp?

[fezzi's mum]

I do use a ceramic heater in his room, but I turned it off when I get home and turn the heat up. But I realize that is not enough now.

[paris26]

I picked one up at my Petco. It's in the reptile section and it says "broad spectrum" on the box. I think I paid $20? I leave it on when I'm at work and then turn off when I get back.

[fezzi's mum]

Thank you so much! I feel like I should know all of this having him over a year now. I will definately pick one up tomorrow.
Thanks again!

[paris26]

Just when you think you know almost everything you need to know about these guys, you learn something new. I have a ceramic heater in my hedgie room and I leave it on low all day and night.
Good luck!

[Nancy]

You don't really even need a broad spectrum light. Any light will do.
I have found that my gang don't like flourescant lights though. I have one of those flourescant lights that screw into a regular socket. If I leave it on during the day I have grumpy hedgehogs at night. It is really weird as a normal bulb or a broad spectrum bulb is fine for them.

I leave my lights on, normal bulbs, 12+ hours a day and have not had anyone attempt hibernation since. :)