Saved by Fruit!

[LaLa]

A few months ago, I found a small lump on my hedgie's throat/chest which grew very fast and very very big. It actually dragged on the floor when she walked and felt really hard like a golf ball. She was also losing ALOT of quills which I collected in a plastic bag. She also had a small lump on her bottom lip which made it hard for her to chew so I started adding water to her food. I also gave her a variety of fruits (like mangoes, pineapples, apples, watermelon, grapes, peaches, etc.) and slowly but surely the lump on her chest began shrinking. Her appetite picked up as well and now her quills aren't falling out anymore. There's still a trace of the lump but its not noticeable.

I'm not sure what happened, but I think it was the fruit that helped her get better. Just thought I'd share this with anyone who may be going through what I went through. TRY FRUITS! :apple:

[Le'ah]

I'm very glad that the fruits (or something?) worked for you....but just incase future hedgie owners look for info on what is going on with their pets, I'm going to advise them to take their animals to the vet...THE VET KNOWS BEST!

That doesn't sound too good.

But, I'm REALLY REALLY REALLY glad that your lil furry is okay. :)

[LaLa]

Thanks, but I did take her to the vet. I just didn't trust him. He had said her quills were falling out from mites so he treated her but I knew my hedgie didn't have mites (I had already checked previously). Her falling quills were related to her lump not mites! He seemed more like a car salesman than a vet.

I just hope the lump doesn't come back!

[illinidairychic]

I've had vets like that before don't feel bad. I good vet is sometimes a hard thing to find. My favorite vet for hedgehogs lives almost three hours away and if isn't life or death I prefer to take them to her. I know it's a bit of a drive but I know she's more knowledgeable about them then what I have down here so far.

As far as the lump going away from the fruit that is great!!! I'm glad to hear you hedgehog has perked up and is feeling better. Do you have any pics of her, and what's her name?? Also welcome to cnq!!! :)

[razzle]

Wow, that is really interesting. Maybe the anti-oxidants in the fruit caused the tumor to shrink. I'm so happy that it is gone and (knock on wood) doesn't return! How old is your hedgie?

[Kalandra]

Quills falling out due to mites would make sense, but what did your vet say about the lump? Having dealt with several lumps now, I know my vet would have wanted to know what the lump was, and would have most likely done a fine needle aspirate or recommended removal.

[Nancy]

Checking for mites yourself is not accurate. Often the mites cannot be seen by the naked eye or magnifying glass, nor is the black or white cloth method accurate. Only a skin scraping can determine accurately the presence of mites and sometimes if the scraping is done in an area where there are no mites the scraping will come up clean.

I agree with Kalandra. My vet would have wanted the lump to be checked out also. When Peaches developed the mammary tumour I was at the vet at 7pm in the evening and she was in surgery at 8am the next morning.

I see you are in Toronto. I am 2 hours away from you in Kingston. What vet did you take her to? I know alot of hedgie people in the Toronto area and can get information on good hedgehog vets in the area for you. :)

[paris26]

I am always suspicious about lumps on hedgies simply because I have had two pass from cancer that started out as "lumps". While the fruits may have been providing extra antioxidents and vitamins, lumps that are indeed cancer, need veterinary attention in addition to a good balanced diet.

Also, hedgies can have mites that are in the dormant state. When I get a new hedgie, part of that hedgies wellness exam includes a skin scraping for mites. We ususally check in three places to see what we find. Harriet was cleared of mites when I first brought her home and she had a dormant case that came out of no where 2 weeks ago!

[ssrex]

I have a hedgi that is about 4 1/5 years old. the left side of her face has a lump. vet say's cancer. Trying to give her lots of Vitamin C. Vet dosen't give much of a cance.
Let you know how it goes.