Can someone help me here.

[chrismak]

So I gave mookie a bath today.. I am worried I may not have dried him full enough though.. I was in a rush at the end due to unforseen circumstances.. Hopefully the vellux and heat and heating pad will do him good if he is slightly damp.

But! I have a question. Now that he is all clean I want to check him all over.

What can I look for and what should I look for to make sure he is a healthy boy. Granted I am taking him to the vet next week but I want to learn how to check him real well. We have been in winter here and just got out of it so I cannot wait to have him run outside.

But what and where do I check to make sure he is A-ok as far as I can tell?

[j4782]

You really should wrap your hedgehog in a towel for at least half an hour and make sure he's dry. The risk of illness is just too great. This was emphasized to me over and over again by a very experienced hedgehog rescuer. Be alert for any change in breathing because that means a respitory problem.

Behavior is usually a big indicator for problems. Do you count kibble? Knowing what your hedgie normally eats is helpful.

You can put your guy on a surface or in a container with a clear or otherwise visible bottom to check his belly (most hedgies try to hide that). I also check how he's walking. A proportional hedgehog should not have any fat rolls under their arms.

Poopy feet is a regular occurrence with wheels. A shallow foot bath of warm water will take care of that. It's easier to check nail length with clean feet, too. ;) Houdini had developed some odd wear patterns on his back feet--some nails were fine and others were really long.

[chrismak]

Thanks a lot.. that helps... so what else.. is there anything I shouldbe really focusing on.. Mookie is 2 years old... I have heard they only live 2-4 years so I really want to make sure he is ok. He has been a great pet and it is gonna kill me when he goes.. so I am kinda sad..

So what else to look for?

[Midwest Exotics]

watch for lumps on the body & around the jaw areas. If you can check the teeth make sure none are cracked.

you can also make sure their nails are clipped since they can get them caught & hurt themselves if they get too long.

Good luck & hope the Vet trip goes well! =]

[SilverKitty]

Make sure there's no discharge from the eyes or nose too!
Make sure he's not excessively itching/scratching or losing way too many quills than normal (could be mites).
Make sure there's no lumps...hedgies tend to have tumors apparently and can die from them.

[chrismak]

Hmmm No lumps that I could feel.. I washed him up nice today.. he liked it.. He got fat over winter.. he needs time outside to skinny up..

so nose eyes
lumps
rashes etc
teeth..
what else?

[Midwest Exotics]

to help over all health, make sure to give a wheel, let him out often, play with him often, provide a good diet of good balanced kibble, provide veggies, fruit & bugs if he will eat them. Keep the cage clean , sanitize bottles, dishes, huts, cage, etc, whenever possible, & bath him/also keep him well moisturized.