| General Vet Visit |
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Most general visits (also known as "wellness exams") are so an owner can get to know the vet, and the vet can get to observe the hedgehog’s typical behavior. Why do it if the hedgehog is healthy? If your hedgehog is familiar with the vet, he/she will be more likely to cooperate in the future if something IS wrong. In addition to that, if you say “There’s been a total change in attitude…” the vet will know firsthand what you’re talking about since they’ve met before. The price of this depends on the vet in question. Typically the exam costs somewhere within the range of $30 - $60. There is debate about how often a healthy hedgie needs to see the vet. I would recommend at least once a year. Two or three times would be ideal, but one time is necessary. It’s also a good idea to take your hedgehog in within a month of adoption so the vet can give him/her a look over to make sure your new little friend is in good health—especially if you adopted from a pet store or took in a rescue. Preparing for the visit: - They will ask an approximate age, so have your hedgie’s birth date (or your best guess) in mind. - Make a list of the foods you feed your hedgie, along with the fat %s and protein levels - Make a list of any medications/supplements you’ve given in the past six months and the purpose for which administered (flax seed oil for dry skin, for example). - Note any prior medical problems you’re aware of or any concerns you have - Make a list of questions for your vet if there is anything you are unsure about If your hedgehog is not sick and you’re just going in for a wellness check, your vet will want to do a few different things in the exam. The basics (actual exam may vary depending on each vet): - Weight - Skin check - Teeth check - Eye/ear check - Nose check - Listen to lungs/heart The vet may want to discuss diet with you, and will ask you questions about appetite, behavior, and poop (firmness/color). Be prepared to answer these typical questions. If your hedgie is being stubborn and does not want to be examined, your vet should be patient and you should try to help calm your hedgie. Anesthetic should not be used for a general exam if there is no known illness involved. Complications that could arise from its use aren’t worth it to examine a healthy hedgehog. If all goes well, keep your paperwork and head home with a happy hedgie—be sure to give a favorite treat as a reward for the visit after you get home! If there are concerns: If there’s a problem with the skin, such as really dry and flaky, the vet may want to do a skin scrape to see if mites may be the cause. This can be done in the office. If mites are suspected, ask for a treatment of Pfizer’s Revolution – AVOID use of Ivermectin. If there has been green poop or a poop problem in general lately, the vet may ask for a fresh sample so they can do a fecal test to determine the problem. You will likely have to wait a few days for the results of this. If the lungs do not sound clear or there is nasal drainage, the vet may prescribe a broad spectrum antibiotic to combat possibly respiratory problems. If your vet feels that there may be a bigger underlying problem, but your hedgie is being stubborn and unwilling to cooperate, the vet may wish to use anesthesia to examine more closely. That is acceptable and a good course of action if illness is suspected. As mentioned earlier, however: if it’s just for a general exam and no signs of illness are present, anesthesia is a risk that is better left untouched. |
