Worried about my boy

[Tails]

Hi,

Well I've only had my boy since Sunday but am still concerned about him. :(

1. He has really dry skin so I gave him a bath with the Aveeno but it didn't really help any. There are little white skin flakes on his black blankie; I don't see any mites though.

2. His owner must have not known about nail clipping, they are so long I'm surprised he can walk. I got to get to that.

3. He won't unball but I think he's real nervous so that should take time. He isn't active at all cause one of us is always up and in his room and he barely leaves his corner.

4. I don't think he's eating much, but is drinking.

5. He hasn't pooped as far as I can tell, just little smears of stuff on his wheel but nothing else and it isn't very much. Has peed.

??? I don't know I've read up on hedgies but I'm worried about him. He freaks around any movement; I don't think he's very socialized. He always goes to hide under something and won't come out. :dunno:

[FiaSpice]

I understand why you're concernd. Maybe you're hedgie is just not use to you yet, have you tried the old t-shirt trick? My girl didn't eat the first day but the next everything was ok.For the dry skin it looks like mite what you're describing anyway the best advice would be to got to the vet, it's always a good thing to do with new pets. Good luck!

[keeja820]

awww sweety...so sorry to hear that you are worried about your lil one so soon after getting him.

he might have mites, a vet check might be adviced. and he is sounding like he is a big grumpy gus! how old is he hun? is he quilling? or maybe he just wasny handled a lot before you got him.

did you get him from a breeder? just try to put things with him (like the tshirt) that smells like you.

Lily was really grumpy when she came to me, used to pop and huff constantly, even when i entered my room, now shes great, she rarely ever pops anymore, and huffs very little now. sometimes it just takes time.

[Tails]

Hi,

I've read up on mites but are you supposed to see them moving? Cause all I see on his blankie are white skin flakes like dry skin. I'll go get him checked if his next bath doesn't help any.

Well he might be quilling although I don't see any. He was born in Sept.- so 6 months old. I really don't think he was handled a lot but I got him from someone who breeds; but I don't think she has high quality pedigreed hedgies or anything like that. He was still kept with his brother who also hissed when we were there. But they were more active at their old home. He seriously barely comes out and only will when the light is off. Wicket doesn't like us to look at him- even when he's out he'll go hide under a rug ont he floor or a pillow. I think it will take a lot of time but if I move at all he goes back to a ball then takes another 10 minutes to come back out- lots of patience with this one I think.




awww sweety...so sorry to hear that you are worried about your lil one so soon after getting him.

he might have mites, a vet check might be adviced. and he is sounding like he is a big grumpy gus! how old is he hun? is he quilling? or maybe he just wasny handled a lot before you got him.

did you get him from a breeder? just try to put things with him (like the tshirt) that smells like you.

Lily was really grumpy when she came to me, used to pop and huff constantly, even when i entered my room, now shes great, she rarely ever pops anymore, and huffs very little now. sometimes it just takes time.

[keeja820]

Hi,
Well he might be quilling although I don't see any. He was born in Sept.- so 6 months old. I really don't think he was handled a lot but I got him from someone who breeds; but I don't think she has high quality pedigreed hedgies or anything like that. He was still kept with his brother who also hissed when we were there. But they were more active at their old home. He seriously barely comes out and only will when the light is off. Wicket doesn't like us to look at him- even when he's out he'll go hide under a rug ont he floor or a pillow. I think it will take a lot of time but if I move at all he goes back to a ball then takes another 10 minutes to come back out- lots of patience with this one I think.
awww hun...sounds like you have your hands full with this one. Too bad you live so far away. I have hoglets due (hopefully *crosses fingers*) next week...

[Tails]

awww hun...sounds like you have your hands full with this one. Too bad you live so far away. I have hoglets due (hopefully *crosses fingers*) next week...

Thanks Keeja for all your kind words and help! I don't mind working with him. I guess I was just kind of hoping to see more of him- he's never out. It's kind of like we have a hedgehog but never see him. Oh well maybe down the road I can get him to come out of his shell? My little anti-social spaztic hiss-pot. :lol: I love him though all the same.

[keeja820]

Thanks Keeja for all your kind words and help! I don't mind working with him. I guess I was just kind of hoping to see more of him- he's never out. It's kind of like we have a hedgehog but never see him. Oh well maybe down the road I can get him to come out of his shell? My little anti-social spaztic hiss-pot. :lol: I love him though all the same.
Anytime sweety! Im here anytime...do you have MSN or Yahoo msnger by any chance?
and of course i have kind words, especially for a fellow EASTERNER!!!
And love is the best thing you can offer him. Love brings everything around (to a point)...Im sure he'll show his sweet face eventually. he better! Lily is anxious to see him!:P haha

[HedgieMate]

If it's any comfort to you, our hedgie behaved pretty much the same when he first arrived. He was a tight spiky ball for at least three days. Hid under his blanket and didn't come out at all. Not much eating or drinking at all. As a result, very little bowl movement -- two tiny pellets in the first two days. We were naturally so worried about his health.

We left him alone for a day, then we started socializing for a short period of time. We offered him food and water. He took a few kibbles and a fair amount of water from the bottle but never uncurled. He freaked out at any movement or sound too, just like yours.

I've come to believe that some hedgies are a lot more nervous than others. I also believe that responsible breeders breed for better (= friendlier) temperament, so it's more likely that their babies are less nervous and more adaptable. I suspect our little guy was neither from a good breeder or properly socialized.

However, "difficult" hedgehogs can learn to trust you and they can be just as darling or even more precious because you have to work hard for their love. We've learned this from our own experience. Hope you'll hang in and your hedgie will open up to you very soon. Good luck!

P.S. If he doesn't start eating soon, a visit to the vet might be a good idea. I'm sure more experienced forum members here can advise you on that.