Dirty Face!? Any ideas?

[Janine]

Ok, so every second day I have to wash Macy's face. Not that I mind, but she's not exactly thrilled about it.

What I can't figure out is exactly where the dirt is coming from, or what is it. She's a messy eater, but somehow what is on her face doesn't look like food. It's lighter in colour and kind of grainy. It would be quite impressive if it was food, it's always in the same spot, and so far up on her forehead.

She's been on different types of bedding, dried pine, vellux, and fleece but give a day or so and it's always there.

She only had a bath last week, and it didn't seem to make a difference.

I've attached three pictures, two with the dirt circled, and one after I washed her face. Unfortunately, I washed her face without checking to see if the pictures came out ok, so the ones with the dirt are a bit blurry. I can try to get some clearer ones when it comes back.

[Pippin'sMom]

Hmm, that's funny. Are you SURE it's not just her Algerian face mask? That's the only thing I can think of.

[Nancy]

She is beautiful. I love her dark mask. :love:

Is the "dirt" sticky? Does it brush off easily or need water? Does she scratch alot? Are there any other patches of it anywhere. Does it move? The colour is about mite colour but they don't usually congregate like that.

By any chance is that area sticky and she could be getting shavings dust sticking to it?

Geez, I am at a loss as to what it could be. :)

[Janine]

Upon VERY close inspection of the "dirt" I can see it MOVING!!

Oh my goodness.

And to the vet we go.

Can someone point me in the right direction of what I need to do now? As in things that need to be cleaned, etc.

[Janine]

I feel so creepy crawly itchy and gross :Pukey: .

My poor baby :(

But she isn't overly itchy, losing quills or have dry skin.

Maybe I'll have a closer look, sorry for posting again!

[HedgieSpirit]

When I got Chloe, she had mites. During her treatment I had to bleach her stuff every day or two. Also, make sure that any accessories in her cage that are porous are thrown out so the mites cannot hide. During her treatment, I used cut up newspaper as bedding because it was cheap (which really makes a difference if you are cleaning their cage every day) and non-porous. I can relate to that creepy crawly itchy feeling :| Sorry you and your baby have to go through this...

Also, if you have anyother pets, I would use special care in avoiding any unnecessary contact between your hedgie and them. When Chloe had mites the vet said that they weren't species specific so I had to keep her far away from my cockatiel.

[paris26]

I was going to guess mites when I read the thread title. I would ditch the shavings and stick to liners. I use fleece liners myself and they have worked out really well. I used Ivomec for my first hog with mites and Revolution with my second hog. I liked the Revolution and it was pretty effective. A thorough cleaning is in order- if you use bleach, make sure you rinse extremely well to remove all the residue.

Your hog is absolutely gorgeous!

[Janine]

I take her out everyday, she's been all over everything, my bed, furniture, etc etc etc. What about those things? (I'm currently washing my blankets)

[Janine]

Also, if you have anyother pets, I would use special care in avoiding any unnecessary contact between your hedgie and them. When Chloe had mites the vet said that they weren't species specific so I had to keep her far away from my cockatiel.

Heeheehee... I'll make sure there is no contact with her and my fishies :)

Thank you everyone for your replies. :)

[horse_chic89]

hello, a fellow novascotian. well, this year in nova scotia especially has been bad for flees ect.. luckily my girl has none, but my dog, who has never had flees, had them TWICE, between fall and christmas!!