some random gems!

Re: some random gems!

Claire Cameron — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:51:36 GMT

[quote user="A Little TLC"]

Unless its a boy, haha!

[/quote]

you never know what these hedgehogs are into these days

Re: some random gems!

A Little TLC — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:04:23 GMT

Unless its a boy, haha!

Re: some random gems!

Claire Cameron — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:45:57 GMT

[quote user="Kiwi_Em"]

Also - getting hedgehogs to unfurl for examination? I seem to remember putting them on a perspex sheet but i may be confused with something else.

[/quote]

dim the lights, slowly stroke the spines over the rump, they think its a male hedgie wanted to mate so slowly uncurl - tried and tested several times and works a treat

Re: some random gems!

A Little TLC — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:21:53 GMT

ha ha!! My hands have hardened over the years!!

Water is not a good idea, i have seen people mention it before, but there are some REALLY stubborn hedgehogs out there and they just end up inhaling. Its awful, we have had some in from vets that had done this, and they had severe breathing difficulties because of it.

If they are really bad, you can use a bit of Diazepam injected into the muscle ring to relax them a bit .

Re: some random gems!

Caro Laithwaite VN — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:00:14 GMT

Or teach others how to do it without a towel on their hands while l explain

Re: some random gems!

Caro Laithwaite VN — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:59:45 GMT

I use the bounce method but have to say l tend to use a towel on my hand!

Re: some random gems!

Fiona Leathers — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:57:13 GMT

Can you not lower hedgepigs into warm water to get them to unfurl? I amy be wrong but I'm sure I've read this on this site!

Re: some random gems!

A Little TLC — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:54:16 GMT

Place your hand in the shape of a T. Bounce the hog gently up and down, they will start to uncurl. Place your fingers under the chin, while you are bouncing, use your bottom hand to, again as you are bouncing, place your fingers areound the bottom of the pelvis..... i hope this is making sense.... not quite sure how to word it!! But bouncing is the key, moving your hands as you bounce, they can't figure out what you are doing. and then open sesame!!!

Re: some random gems!

Maisy — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:35:39 GMT

Nothing else really for the bunnies. I tend to use a hairdryer on mine and obviously keep them indoors til fully dry. Some rabbits are scared of the noise though (only keep it on low setting) so in which case, just use towels.

As for hedgehogs the method I use is to hold the pig the right way up with a bowl of strong smelling food near its head. The pig is gently rocked until the nose is stuck out (hedgehogs are quite nosey anyway and it often doesn't take long for them to sniff the food out!), and once their front feet appear, I move them onto the table so they can stand on there. Eventually they do unroll enough for you to do a quick exam, but I tend to find that giving them a sniff of anaesthetic is more effective to do a thorough examination to check all limbs are present, no abdo injuries etc.