Dry Skin?

[LexieHeg]

I noticed today that I can see Lexie's skin through her quills when she is all prickled up. I also noticed her skin dry and flakey...is this dry skin?

She does not scratch much at all. I've seen or heard her scratch twice in the month that we have had her. I live in a very dry climate, and am wondering what I can do to help her. I've seen mentioned of oatmeal baths but how exactly would I do that?

Thank you for your help! We go to the vet on Saturday and I will ask then but I am wondering if there is something I can do now. She is also quilling so that may have something to do with it to.

 

[Mikayla]

I second this question. Sonic has had this too, he doesn't scratch and isn't quilling.

 

[Kalandra]

If you are in a dry climate, then try adding humidity to the air. I use a humidifier throughout the winter months here as the forced air heating dries the air out something awful.

You can also add a couple of drops of flaxseed oil or vitamin E oil to her back. Vitamin E oil is thicker, and is also very sticky. I prefer to use it at first when I have one that is overly dry, as it seems to last longer than the flaxseed oil. However, bits of fleece will get stunk in the quills easier from it.

Diet can also cause dry skin. I've had a couple that came to me with horribly dry skin but when switched to a better diet their skin problems improved. I've also had a couple for which we gave salmon oil and saw improvement.

 

[LexieHeg]

I never even thought of her diet...we did just switch it but it was too a much better food than the stuff she has been on. Its called Max and its a Canadian food and was the only one I could find with the right blend of protein and fats and without much of the bad stuff. Even Blue Buffalo and Royal Canin had some bad products so I went with Max. Should I take her off it?

 

[LexieHeg]

I should add that she LOVES the Max. We mixed it in with her old food and she picked all the pieces out and left the old food.

 

[Kalandra]

If the diet she was on before was less desirable, I would leave her on the other if it is better. Dietary changes can take weeks before you see improvements.

 

[LovinHedgies]

I use Sunshine Factor for my hedgies and have seen great results! You just add it to their food - I do it once or twice a week.

 

[LexieHeg]

We just got back from the vet and she was amazing. She recommended a bird product called Rain. I am going to try it and will let you know. The negative side is that its got aloe vera in it, I spoke to vet about how Aloe Vera can be considered toxic to hedgehogs and she said that this particular product has been used on hedgehogs successfully for a long time. I have researched it on the internet and found many vets and rescue centers using this exact product for dry skin. So, I will give it a shot and let you know how it works.