Sneezes and snuffles?

LexieHeg · Apr 3, 2011

I have a 2.5 month old hedgehog and since the day we brought her home she sneezes. Not loud sneezes, light...almost sounds like she's clearing her nose by blowing out hard. I don't even know that its sneezing...it may just be part of her snuffling. She also licks her nose all the time.

I have read a lot about normal hedgie sounds but not this one. Everyone says sneezing and nose licking is bad news.

BUT she is very healthy. Her eyes, ears and nose are clean and healthy. She has regular poops, eats a ton and drinks plenty. She plays and runs and sleeps without trouble. Her quills are full (even though she has started quilling, no bald spots or anything) and her belly fur is full and clean. Her feet are groomed and mostly clean (except when she walks through her poop). Her cage is clean and she always has food and fresh water....so I'm not sure.

I've changed her bedding and she still does it, so I don't know if its normal snuffling or if it really is sneezing?

I will ask the vet when we go on the 16th but I haven't been too worried as she is healthy otherwise and I don't see any signs of being sick.

Any ideas??

Nancy · Apr 3, 2011

Are her sneezes increasing in frequency? If so, she needs a vet. By the time a hedgehog shows symptoms of illness, they are very sick and often past the point of curing.

Can you post a video of the sneezing so we can tell you if it is sneezing or normal hedgie noises.

LexieHeg · Apr 3, 2011

No, she has actually lessened...I tried to get a video of it today but she didn't sneeze once! Oh well, I will keep an eye on it and she has a vet appointment coming up soon.

LovinHedgies · Apr 3, 2011

You mentioned that you changed her bedding...what type of bedding is she on? Is it dusty?
A video would definately be helpful!
And as Nancy already said if the sneezing is getting worse its definately time for a vet!!

LexieHeg · Apr 3, 2011

At the pet store she was in a recycled newspaper bedding that was hard, in a pellet shape. I bought what I thought was the same stuff but when I got it home it was softer and looser. It didn't seem to have dusty, but I think it did because it left a film on my hands. So I went back to the pet store yesterday and bought the recycled pellets (I'm allergic to any wood shavings) and her sneezing seems to have almost stopped. I am going to keep watch on her and she has a vet checkup soon so I will ask the vet then.

Thanks!