So Hemi will be a year old in two weeks...

[hemi_mygirl]

And before I book her a vet appointment, I'd like to ask a couple questions of you guys, so I make sure the vet looks for the right things. :)

A little background info:
- Hemi seems a tad sick to me, runny nose and she always smells like urine...even after I give her a bath. I'm thinking Urinary Tract Infection, so I'm going to ask about that.
- Her weight, and activity is good. She's at just over 510 grams, and very active. Each morning, her paws are black and her wheel looks gross. She runs laps in her huge new cage.
- She's still very affectionate, and still has "her" people that she loves, namely me and my little cousin. FYI..my little cousin is 4 and just adores Hemi.

So, when I take Hemi into the vet, I'm going to ask if they could put her to sleep for a little while (can't spell that ana--whatever word) so they can do a nose to tail exam without her squirming, hissing, or biting. What should I ask for?

- fecal exam
- skin scraping (just in case, even though I really doubt she has mites, just a touch of dry skin which is being dealt with)
- touch her nails up. I clip them every couple days to keep them short, but a few are longer than they should be.
- x-rays? or at least some sort of belly prod, since she's a female and whatnot.

Anyone else? I'm kind of at a loss for what I should ask for besides the very basics.

Thank you!

[PrettyHate]

Get that runny nose checked out ASAP.

[hemi_mygirl]

Her appointment will be made tomorrow, since the vet office is closed at 5 today.

[HamorHollow]

I would recommend taking in a fresh urine and fecal sample (separated). You can get a sample by putting her into a clean steralite bin with a clean wheel and no litter or hiding blankets. Let her run and play and then collect her mess in 2 separate bags.

Please find a vet that can do a routine exam without the use of anesthesia. Anesthesia can be dangerous, and you are always taking a chance when you use it.

If you are having trouble with nails, put your hedgehog in the sink with some warm water. Then, grab a paw and clip. Only use enough water to go up to the hedgehog's knees (we don't want to drown your baby).

X-rays should not be necessary.

[hemi_mygirl]

LOL, thanks for the help..I've found Hemi is usually quite accomodating for the fresh samples at the vet office. The last time she was there, she managed to get a fresh fecal sample in the vet's hand. She looked quite impressed with herself.

Anesthesia isn't something I really wanted to do, I just figured it would be easier on the vet. But then again, my vet has a couple hedgies of her own, so she knows some little tricks.

And her nails can be clipped...she just doesn't like to stand still to get them as short as they should be. LOL. I think she gets bored and wants to continue splashing around in the tub. I've learned to keep it REALLY shallow because she likes to stretch out on her belly in the bath.

Oh, and the runny nose...it's totally gone. I woke up the morning after posting the thread and it was gone. *scratches head* I wonder if everytime I've tried to get a look at her if she'd just taken a drink of water...hmm.