ASPCA Emergency Poison Control 1-888-426-4435

Peggy

We had a hedgehog emergency here at the Manor which was precipitated by a visit to my vet for advice on relieving Peggy's dry skin on her back. He recommended a product used for cats with skin issues. 

I put the oil on later that night while I watched TV with Peggy. After the oil had been on her for about 20 minutes I kept smelling a strong, natural oil smell like eucalyptus. Turns out it was tea tree oil which is FATAL to hedgies. It was a Friday night of course... why don't emergencies ever happen during regular business hours!? I bathed her immediately twice with her regular bath soap and called my vet's 24 hour line which directed me to the ASPCA 24 hour poison control hotline. 

I was pretty panicky and worried I had given my little gal a death sentence. The woman who helped me asked lots of questions about her size, age, the name of the medicine and dose etc. She then put me on hold as she spoke with an actual vet and then relayed the instructions to me. She was fantastic and explained what I should do immediately, what illness signs to look for and my next steps. in the coming days. Honestly, I cannot stop telling every pet owner I know about this phone line.

I am happy to report that the only damage done was 3 baths in one night which strained her love for me for a few days. I am now using olive oil on her skin and it seems to have alleviated the dryness.

ASPCA Contact details:
www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control      
Phone number: 1-888-426-4435

Hedgehog Allergies and Dangerous Products:
thehedgehogmanor/toxic-lunch and wiki.hedgehogcentral.com
     
     

Peggy is on Twitter! @Peggyhedgehog

Source: www.thatcutesite.com

Peggy is on twitter @PeggyHedgehog! You can follow her on twitter or follow her musings on the sidebar of this blog.

           

A Hedgehog's Calendar - Spring

Source

So, I am a bit late but it is still technically Spring so what better time to discuss what spring is like for a hedgehog? Exactly. I did have to do a bit more research for this as I have no experience with baby hedgehogs.

After a long winter's nap these little spike balls are thirsty, hungry and looking for love. How do hedgehogs make babies? Not as carefully as you would assume. Nature is a smart designer and they are able to maneuver themselves so that neither is poked with quills. It is all about angles. *wink* We don't have wild hedgehogs where I live but I understand they can be quite noisy at this time of year.

The mama hedgehog gestates for 35-58 weeks and can have up to four litters a year. The average number of hoglets (baby hedgehogs) born is 3 - 4 per litter. They are born blind with their quills under their skin that will come through after they have been cleaned. The mama hedgehog will nurture her young for approximately two months before they leave the nest for their own adventures.

Nursing Mama and her hoglets (source)

Sources:  wikipedia / hem.passagen.se/hedgehogs / hedgehoghollow.com