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View Full Version : quilling? bald spot?

jto5001
03-23-2005, 07:33 PM
My hedgie seems to have started quilling because i have found some smaller quills in his cage but I am slightly concerned because there is a small bald patch behind one of his ears. I have seen him scratch once or twice for a short second. he did have some dry skin on his feet (not between the quills) but i put a few drops of vit e on him and that went away within hours. i was just wondering if this could be because of the quilling? thanks
jto5001
03-23-2005, 09:52 PM
i forgot to mention that when i got the hedgie he had just gotten to the pet store that day and was still in his shipping box from their breeder. it had wood shavings of some sort in it but i only use liners now.
Nancy
03-23-2005, 10:16 PM
They naturally have a bit of a bald/thinner hair spot behind their ears. Are you sure it is different than his other ear and not just the way the fur is laying.

It sounds like he is starting to quill. :)
jto5001
03-23-2005, 10:27 PM
its not the hair that is less its the quills, like right on the quill/hair line. its not a large patch (1cmx 1cm tops!) and i think i see the points of quills coming in (he doesnt like me near his head yet)

They naturally have a bit of a bald/thinner hair spot behind their ears. Are you sure it is different than his other ear and not just the way the fur is laying.

It sounds like he is starting to quill. :)
bloane
03-24-2005, 10:23 AM
Normal quilling should not cause any bald areas. However, it is normal for all hedgehogs to have a bald stripe down the middle of their heads (like a mohawk) and for many to have bare areas behind their ears between the edge of the fur and the edge of quills. If there are quill tips sticking through the bald area that you re looking at, it is either A.) a recently healed injury that lost its' quills during healing, B.) Mites, or C.) a fungal infection. Option A is not a problem, and will fill in it's quills soon probably. B and C can be quite serious, and make a vet visit very necessary. If your hedgehog hasn't already been to a vet for a well-hog visit, then now is a good time to schedule one, and get your vet's opinion on the area.
Becca