Epson salts?

[hemi_mygirl]

So, Hemi's leg is still swollen and the hedgehog-savvy vet is away until next week. Why must vets feel the need for vacations? Don't they know hedgehogs know that and will get sick during that time?

Anyway, she's not in pain, she walks (and runs) normally with no limping at all, her eating and drinking has actually increased, her poop is normal, and she's wheeling 6 hours per night. She even squeaks at me to join her at 3 in the morning. My mother suggested Epson salt to maybe help draw an infection out (if there is one) until her vet comes back. Is that safe? She never drinks the bathwater anymore, at least, not since she tasted Aveeno body wash in the water... :laugh:

Any help would be great, thanks all!

[HamorHollow]

They are safe. I have used them many times. Use hot water (not scald your finger hot, but hotter then warm hot). Let her run around in the sink or tub for maybe 15 mins, then dry her and let her do her normal routine. Try doing the bath nightly and see if it makes any difference.

I have a girl with a swollen leg. She was on pediapred (I think, it's an anti-inflammatory), but it didn't make any difference. I removed her wheel, but she continued to tube like a maniac. I never found out what her leg is still swollen, presumably it is scar tissue. She is happy and extremely active, and has even had a litter since then.

[hemi_mygirl]

Thank you! Maybe that's what's wrong with Hemi, since she's still as active as ever. I tried taking her wheel away, but she wouldn't stand for that. I was more worried about her climbing her cage and injuring herself worse by falling, so I gave her the wheel back.

[HamorHollow]

You could try giving her a tube. I doubt she'll climb the cage with a tube stuck on her head! :winkgrin:

[hemi_mygirl]

I tried. She ignored the thing, and dropped it in her water bowl. Because I know how destructive she gets without her wheel, I gave her a bunch of sheets of paper towel to shred, extra liners to burrow under, kitten balls, tp tubes, beanie babies, tonka toys (the ones that are safe for children up to 3 years old), and other things.

The TP tube went for a swim, she shredded the paper towel and shoved it into her hedgebag. The beanie babies were ignored. The kitten ball was pushed into her PVC tube and rolled back and forth all night... jingle jingle jingle. Then she started climbing. And falling. She tried hissing, squeaking and chirping for my attention. Eventually, I heard her plop down and start whimpering like a dog. When I got up to check on her, she was sitting on her bum, just like a dog, and staring at my bed. After about 2 hours of this, I gave in and gave her the wheel back. She made a beeline for it, and wheeled happily for a couple hours.

*sigh*

[hularious]

aw, how old his hemi?

[HamorHollow]

She tried hissing, squeaking and chirping for my attention. Eventually, I heard her plop down and start whimpering like a dog. When I got up to check on her, she was sitting on her bum, just like a dog, and staring at my bed. After about 2 hours of this, I gave in and gave her the wheel back. She made a beeline for it, and wheeled happily for a couple hours.

*sigh*

Spoiled, spoiled, spoiled! I need to ship you all my retired girls so you can spoil them! LOL

[hemi_mygirl]

Hemi just turned 13 months old.

And Kelly...don't tempt me! My parents have forbid me to bring any more hedgehogs home, or I'd force you to make good on that offer. LOL. There's nothing I love more than spoiling animals.

[Moose]

I love to hear about Hemi. She sounds delightfully adorable. :) Not like our ornery girl who's also very adorable. I hope she feels better soon. We love epsom salt in our household for us two legged servants. ;)

[hemi_mygirl]

LOL, well I'll try to keep you current on the latest Hemi stories... I'm almost thinking of making her her own website. Give her a blog and everything. LOL.

As for the epson salts, I've heard they're good for humans. I've never used them, or heard them used for small animals, which is why I had to ask. But at least I know they're perfectly safe.