urgent advice please

[illinidairychic]

Alright I already posted in another thread about a hoglet that had a sore on his leg. Well tonight he was pushed out of the nest, don't know if he crawled out or not....I'm assuming it's not a coinceidence that it was him pushed out. He's 19 days old now. I didn't know if it was safe to take him to a vet at this age or not. He's had is eyes open for a few days. I put him back in the nest for the time being (this isn't the first time he was pushed out) but last time was a week ago. Also his leg looks very swollen today...I don't want to lose the little guy and want to help him out as much as possible. please help....

[kaiteedyd]

I've found two of Fizzy's babies outside the nest recently. I think they wandered out on their own. I put them back with no problems.

I don't know what to say about the sore but he may have just wandered out on his own.

[illinidairychic]

I'm just worried with his injury that mom might decide it's time to cull him. I'm also worried if I take him out to the vet if she will freak about that as well.

[illinidairychic]

Well I spoke with another breeder and I'm going to take him to a vet to get the leg cleaned and get him on some antibiotics so the infection doesn't spread. Wish me luck.

[platnymbit]

Hope everything works out well!

[MsTickldPink]

I'd take him to the vet, the worst that could happen in that case is that you'd have to hand feed him, if his leg is sore and you don't go mom could decide she doesn't want him and cannabalize, or he could get a serious infection that spreads and kills him, the vet seems like the better choice

[illinidairychic]

Well we are home. The trip went surprisingly well. I had to use the University emergency vet, which means 4th year students but they were very eager to hear all about hedgehogs when I got there. They checked for mites and cleaned out an absses that was forming around one of the quills about his leg. (the infection was moving) He's on some antibiotics now and was quite eager to get at the milk bar when we got home. Snug's started to nurse him immediately :)

I even got to tell the Vets all about WHS and what not, it was great to share my knowledge with them.

[Le'ah]

*keeping fingers laced in prayers*

Just thought I might add that since his eyes are open, he's probably just very curious and likes to explore a bit. Unless you have reason (besides his injury) to believe he was "pushed out" he may have just decided to leave on his own. He could be an independent hedgie.

I'm glad a vet is going to see his leg. I think he should be fine. I hope the mom doesn't freak out after he's been gone for awhile and then after he gets placed back inside the nest. Good luck and God bless to you and yours.

Oh, and just out of curiousity and for those who may experience the same situation in the future, can you possibly post pics of his little leg and let us know what medicine that the vet gave him, so that others will have a little more info if this happens to them or someone they know? Thanks.

[illinidairychic]

He's on a very small dosage of clavamox. I posted a pic in the other thread that was originally started, but I will post more when I get the chance, right now he's had an exciting day and I don't want to stress him out too much. He also has an infected quill on his head and they drained that at the vets as well. I'm to keep them clean with a warm wet wash cloth.

He does seem to be a very independent hoglet. I wouldn't have believed he walks around the cage as much as he does until I saw him do it. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers

[Love4Hedgies]

I'm glad things are going well for you so far. I definitely think you did the right thing by taking him to the vet. Keep us posted on his progress. :)