Help!!!!!

[Cjones01]

I just bought a hedgie from a petstore because they had her in a tiny plastic cage that like you keep bugs in. well i get her home a see the side of her face is puffy. well I just looked at her drinking and it looks like she has a huge mass in her mouth. she wont eat hard food just soft stuff, the vet can not get me in till morning and the emergency clinics out here I do not like. what can be the cause, what can i do till morning, and how much can I expect for a bill? I dont have much used my extra cash to rescue her and I have never had to take my hedgies to the vet.

[paris26]

If you really can't bring her to an emergency vet, at least make sure she is warm enough tonight. That's good that she is eating and drinking. Maybe offer her a water bowl so she doesn't have to bump the mass on her face. It sounds like an abcess to me. Probably plan on at least $150minimum. Exam fee, possible x-ray, pain meds, antibiotics, maybe an impression smear. They will also probably have to gas her to get a really good look.
Keep us posted

[PeaceB2U]

Will it take water or nonflavored pedialyte from a dropper? I'd try to keep it hydrated if it will. It's a good sign that it is eating some food and trying to take liquids.

Hope everything goes Ok for you at the vet tomorrow.

[Love4Hedgies]

Aw poor girl. Thanks so much for rescuing her! Where in Michigan did you find her?

[southcalihedgie]

Is the growth/ mass in the mouth solid, or does it look like a large swollen sore? It the mass is solid it could be a tumor which would require surgery to remove which can be costly. If the area is just swollen it would be an abcess from a mouth injury, that would require antibiotics. I hope your hedgie feels better soon.

[HedgePigLove]

A) Get her to the vet ASAP - she may be in lots of pain. (And explain to the vet that she's a rescue to get the bill down as much as possible.)

B) Have the vet document everything about the little one, including all recommended treatment.

C) Contact the pet store's owners, with all documentation (including vet bill and proof of purchase), and let them know that you expect to be reimbursed for all required treatment. If they give you any trouble, mention going to the media. If they offer to take back the hedgehog, you're going to have to refuse based on the inhumane conditions in which she was kept.

D) Find out if the pet store is licensed by the USDA to sell hedgehogs; you can find this information on the Hedgehog Welfare Society's website (http://www.hedgehogwelfare.org). You can also contact the HWS USDA rep (I think it's Jennifer P) and she can help you with the process. If the store is unlicensed, the threat of reporting them to the USDA might be enough to get them to cover the bills.

E) PLEASE contact the Hedgehog Welfare Society or Donnasue directly (her email is on the site) and let her know that you need some financial assistance. The HWS has the funds to provide $50.00 for vet care for rescue hedgies.

Thank you for rescuing this little one. I'm sure we can pass the hat and gather some donations toward her care, if needed. Laura

[Cjones01]

okay more info:

Sheis eating soft food and drinking fine, does no really like to be held so its hard to get a look. I first notices the red skin inside her eye was visible and her eye was a little bulgythat was at 3pm today. I made the apt tomorrow with my vet. then i noticed the side of her face had a bulge to it as well. but as she drank from her bottle i notice what seamed like a big mass in her mouth (upper jaw area) like a tooth absess or something. I spent every penny I have to get her out of the petstore so I hope the vet can work with me till I get my next check. I have hedgie that I love to much, Its just so hard to see them with something wrong. if theres was a rescue by me I would turn her in to them in a mn just so they could help her. I just hope she will be okay.

[who00knows]

Please keep us updated on this little guy. I hope everything works out ok. I hope its only swollen and isnt a tumor. GOOD LUCK!

[Kalandra]

CJ where are you and this pet store located? I'll keep my fingers crossed that it is an abscess, but these symptoms could also be oral squamous cell. I'm really concerned about this pet store keeping hedgehogs illegally, in poor conditions, and selling sick animals at that.

Please let me know what happens at the vet's office.

[Love4Hedgies]

Yes, I'd also like to know where this store is located. Anxiously awaiting the results of the vet visit. Good luck!