Now he hates me? sniff*

[neuroticbeing]

Hi Everyone

I got Spike 1 month ago, the breeder told my dad he was 8 months old. Since the begginig I tried to spend time everyday with him, holding him at least 30 min. At first, he started huffing and curling, but after 2 weeks he started coming into my hand when i placed it on his cage. But 3 days ago i started noticing Spike started to leave like 3 or 4 quills everyday on his blanket, and now he just eats and goes back to sleep, he doesn't flat his quills at my hand anymore as before :/ What's wrong?

 

[Nancy]

Was he 8 months old or 8 weeks when you got him. If 8 weeks, he is starting to quill and that is why the grumpy mood. Continue handling him like normal, gently and calmly and he will come around.

 

[neuroticbeing]

My dad told me he's 8 months old

 

[Nancy]

At 8 months he wouldn't be quilling. Is he scratching himself?

 

[neuroticbeing]

Not really, he's just grumpy

 

[neuroticbeing]

Thank you Nancy for taking a look on my problem, yesterday I saw Spike scratching himself quite a bit, so today I took him to the vet. She told me he had dry skin and probably mites, Spike is okay now, he got a shot for that. And after that the vet told me I could give Spike dog food instead of the ferret food I used to give him, It's Royal Canin OBESITY Management: Protein 34% Fat 10% Fiber 8.2%

 

[smhufflepuff]

Makes sense he was grumpy if he had dry skin and mites. Poor little guy! Glad you took him to a vet.

Royal Canin is pretty good, though I'm surprised that the vet suggested the dog version - I'd imagine the pieces are pretty big. I'd suggest using the cat version instead, else I think you might have to break the pieces of the dog food into smaller pieces so it's more easy for him to eat.

I hope the shot went well. If it was Ivomec/Ivermectin, there have been reports of hedgies becoming ill afterward. Apparently, it's very easy to accidentally give an overdose of the Ivomec so many hedgie owners will use Revolution/Selamectin instead. Or they'll use a different version of Ivomec - oral or topical if Revolution isn't available. Is he scheduled to go back for more?

How's he doing today?

 

[neuroticbeing]

He's doing Ok now, yes actually the vet recomended me more the cat version, but she didn't had available at that moment, and since Spike had been fed with ferret food all his life I didn't want him to wait anymore for good nutrition so I had to pick the dog food. No problems now I think, I crush the pieces, actually it seems Spike loves the new kibbles hahaha I'm glad. Today I noticed his drops didn't stink as before and were harder, so I think he's doing fine Right now he's still grumpy, very active but grumpy (He loves me I know so )

About the shot, the vet didn't told me what she used but she told me she had done this to many other hedgehogs so, I think she knows, next time I'll ask her. Spike has his next appointment in 10 days.

I'll continue handle him everyday, he just rests in my belly when I hold him (with a shirt) he likes to be in the dark. Sometimes he allows me to pet his ears softly or his legs, I think he gets easily tired of me, but I'll keep trying, I only have one month with him so... we'll see.




BTW SORRY FOR MY BAD ENGLISH I'M PRACTICING EVERYDAY!

 

[Nancy]

Your English is fine. It sounds like everything is going well. He will get more and more used to you and be less grumpy. Smhufflepuff covered everything I was going to say. :thumbsup: