sick

[Diskid]

I bought Meeko a wheel today and when I went to picked her up to put her in it, she was cold and shaky and slow. Is she just cold or is she sick.

[Nancy]

Could be both. Warm her up. Put her under your clothes or on a heating pad. She should respond withing about 15 minutes. If she isn't acting normal by about an hour after warming her up, you should take her to the vet.

Was she fine last night?

[Diskid]

yes she was very active

[Ododad]

She sounds cold. Check her belly. It should be warm to the touch. If her belly is cool, then do as Nancy said.

[Nancy]

Good. Once she is warmed up she should be acting normally and walking normally. If so, she will probably be ok but keep a close eye on her for the next month as a hibernation attempt weakens their immune system.

Do you have a light on near her cage 12 hours a day? Inadequate light during the day can trigger a hibernation attempt also.

What is the room temperature? She possibly needs it a bit warmer.

[Diskid]

her belly is cold

[Ododad]

Warm her up now. Place her next your skin under your shirt, on a human heating pad set on low wrapped in towel something to warm up her body temp. Make sure her room is somewhere around 75F at all times. Make sure she gets light for 12 hrs a day. (I leave the light on in the hedgie room from 7am to 7pm during overcast days and from 4pm to 7 or 8 pm on sunny days). Be careful not to get her too warm in the warming up process. Under your shirt against your skin should be fine. When she is warm enough, she will start moving around. I always do a belly check 4 or 5 times a day. Keep careful watch over her for the next few days to make sure she dosen't attempt hibernation again. Check her belly as often as you like. She will get used to it and most likely won't even wake up for the belly check. This is very important. keep us updated please until she comes around

[Ododad]

How is she now?

[Pippin'sMom]

Yes, how is your little girl? Hope she was just a bit chilled and everything turned out okay.

[Jessicy]

Hope she is doing good... best of luck