i think she's trying to hybernate :(

[badrubberhedgie]

I think my Pooka's trying to hybernate! She didn't eat much the past day or so, and now she is sluggish and cool. I've been trying to warm her up, but she starts struggling to get away after a few minutes on my lap (she's friendly, but has never liked to be held much). I put her heating pad on in her cage on low, but she won't lay on it. It's only on low, so it shouldn't be too warm for her. How can I get her warmed back up?! I have one of those microwavable cloth bags, so I'm going to warm that up (not too hot) and try to see if she'll snuggle on it.

She is moving around now, but is not really up to speed and I'm worried about her. I'd like to see her eat something, but I dont' have treats on hand right now, just regular food.

I've been keeping it as warm as possible in here, around 75, but I guess I'll have to get a heat lamp or space heater to keep her warmer.

[paris26]

What kind of cage set up is she? When Annabelle went through her hibernation attempts, I moved her into a sterelite bin with her heating pad. Make sure the cage is out of a drafty area too. A space heater is good for extra heat. Once she's warmed up she'll eat and drink again. Keep an eye out for a runny nose, etc. Their immune system is more susceptible to illnesses with hibernation attempts. Annabelle would perk back up within a few hours

[badrubberhedgie]

What kind of cage set up is she? When Annabelle went through her hibernation attempts, I moved her into a sterelite bin with her heating pad. Make sure the cage is out of a drafty area too. A space heater is good for extra heat. Once she's warmed up she'll eat and drink again. Keep an eye out for a runny nose, etc. Their immune system is more susceptible to illnesses with hibernation attempts. Annabelle would perk back up within a few hours

She's in a wire cage, and is at the end of my bed, which is not drafty. I think it just got chillier than usual in here - I live in an apt. and cannot control my heat, but it's always warm in here. Now that it's getting to be spring, I think the heat isn't on so much, but it's still pretty cold out. I'll get a heater this weekend and see how she does with that. Hopefully, the weather will start warming up soon. It's plenty warm in here now, so that's good. Also, she moved back onto her heating pad, so I know she's staying warm. I'm going to get her up soon and see how she's doing.

[paris26]

I forgot to mention that exposure to light is important! All of my hogs have lights on them for 14 hours a day. 12 hours didn't work for Annabelle. Broad spectrum is what I use, but a regular light is better than nothing. Keep us posted. Hopefully this is just a one time thing. I would hate to see you go through what I did with Annabelle!

[badrubberhedgie]

I forgot to mention that exposure to light is important! All of my hogs have lights on them for 14 hours a day. 12 hours didn't work for Annabelle. Broad spectrum is what I use, but a regular light is better than nothing. Keep us posted. Hopefully this is just a one time thing. I would hate to see you go through what I did with Annabelle!

She's still sluggish, but less cool and is now actually ON the heating pad instead of next to it. I'd rather be holding her, but she doesn't like it. Should I try to feed her something, or just let her get warm first and start eating on her own again?

[paris26]

I usually let Annabelle warm up and then eat on her own. She usually does this within an hour of being warmed back up. If this happens a couple days in a row, I would bring her to the vet. I brought Annabelle in a total of three times during her dozen attempts and she was diagnosed with a URI on the last visit. It was hard to catch