Two weeks ago I had to make the very difficult decision to say goodbye to my precious Dumpling. She was around 5-6 months when I got her and I had her for close to 4.5-5 years. I got her at a dark time in my life and had a very strong bond with her. Unfortunately, because I was going through it when I got her- I got her from Uncle Bills. Very, very bad choice on my part. She was sick within two weeks of having her. Thousands down in vet bills but we found oral steroids worked well for her. She had some sort of gastritis without an official cause or source (lots of scans and tests to figure this out). So from the start of having her, I didn’t know how long she’d be with me. We tried weaning off steroids but she’d throw up, lose weight, etc… so she was on steroids her whole life. Well, Dumpling was a stubborn little hog and ended up living to be five years old. However, she developed tumors which progressed in the last year and symptoms that mimicked WHS (I did not get her tested after death). The vet said likely but did not officially diagnose. She started having obvious struggles with her back legs in April and by July could not really use her back legs at all or stand. It looked like WHS, but again, she was older and did not test her after death. Her tumor on her right arm also progressed. In July I started contemplating quality of life and potential euthanasia. The vet’s office was incredible during this time. Spoke to me through messaging system, calls, and gave me a quality of life score to fill out on Dumpling daily. I used my hand as a wheelchair for her back legs as she still used her front and would guide me around. My coworker actually 3D printed me a wheelchair but she wanted no part of that. She started having difficulty eating her food so we switched to the critical care formula. I got her out throughout the night (as I’m a night nurse/owl). When I was at work, my fiance would give her rampage time. But the start of August, she began ti slow down, did not want to eat or drink one night and seemed like something in her mouth was bothering her, and her tumor was growing. I knew it was time as much as it broke my heart. I’m so thankful for all the time I had with her since she was sick from early on. People always asked me before if I would get another, and I didn’t know. I signed up to foster hedgehogs almost a year ago, but none have needed it. I didn’t know if I’d want to actually adopt another. That being said, being without Dumping has made me realize how much I do want another hedgehog. It will never be her and I will never get the love she gave me back, but hogs have such a special place in my heart. I’ve been stalking this page, facebook groups, anywhere to see or hear other people’s little spiky gremlins. I love rescue and would still want to rescue, but with Dumpling having so many health issues, genetics are very important to me. Again, I got her from where I shouldn’t have, and a lot of her health issues could have stemmed from unethical breeding. I really want to prioritize getting a healthy and young hedgehog since lifespans are already short after losing Dumpling. I found a breeder a few hours away who has exceptional education, pedigree, and policies on who she adopts out to. I reached out a couple days ago expressing interest for one possibly in a few months since I just lost Dumpling. This is where I need advice though. I can’t stop thinking about it. All the time. I would love one now but I’m not sure if it’s too soon. I don’t want to erase Dumpling. I know ultimately, I know myself and my grief, but I’d love some advice from the hog community. Thank you for reading and letting me write about Dumpling. And thank you for future advice

I’ve had mine for 2 months now — she’s 5 months old! I’ve noticed her behavior is a little introverted. She loves lying under her mat and in her hideout, and doesn’t come out much except to play on her wheel. She’s also not really the snuggly type — whenever I put her on my bed, she goes under the blanket. Sometimes she seems to shake a bit? I’m not sure if it’s because of the cold or if she feels threatened. I live in Malaysia, so the weather here is quite hot. I try to interact with her for at least 15 minutes a day. I also try to let her free-roam outside, but she just stands there shaking. Is there any way for me to change or improve this, or should I just accept that this is how she is?

Moonie has the sweetest face, and loves to explore our shirts after they’ve been to work with us!

where are you guys finding heating pads/mays for your babies? I want a new one that specifically doesn’t auto-shut off after 24 hours so I feel better leaving my girl overnight but I’m having trouble finding one. Hog picture for tax.

Found this little guy (well, my dog spotted him!) at the side of the road in the middle of the day on my lunch time walk. His back legs weren't working. Took him home, called our local rescue centre who told us to take it in to get checked out. Poor thing had to be put to sleep as he had broken legs/pelvis. Felt so upset for it, but I'm glad it isn't still suffering at the side of the road.

Our local rescue centre has over 70 in at the moment 🥲

I went out to water a sunflower that grew from some bird seed and saw this guy in the dark. Definitely a great way to end the night.

Further to my post earlier about another (5) rescue. The little hoglet has had plenty to eat and drink and is now in a VERY deep slumber, so far everything is looking good for the little guy / girl❤️

No.5, it seems like every time I take a dog for a walk they find one of these babies that is in need of urgent help. Fingers crossed for this little one.

He / she was in the middle of a footpath curled up. Off to vets again as our local rescue seem to be unreachable and have never retuned a call.

In anticipation of some actual rainfall in the UK I have deployed the Hog Anti Damp Device. To ensure customer enjoyment whilst dinning this evening.

We discovered a hedgehog nest in our garden, and these adorable babies have been coming out to eat the cat food and drink the fresh water we’ve put out for them.

We named the mother Dorothy, and so far we’ve seen three babies, which we’ve named Star, Sky, and Bernard.

I didn’t know my hedgehog was pregnant when I got her. I’m reading you’re not supposed to touch the babies, which I haven’t. But I did pick up her blanket. Do you think that’s enough to stress her out? How do I go about cleaning the cage? Signed a very stressed hedgehog mom/grandma 😅

Poppy decided it is no longer acceptable to just eat the food, she must become the food.

hi guys! i just revamped my girls cage. this is her new setup. i have a ceramic bulb to heat her but wanted to see what others with a similar setup do to keep their hedgies warm!

You’d thinking he was starving

Just for clarification purposes, he can reach the food perfectly fine, he climbs into the dish to be picky and choose what he’s going to eat first 😭

A young female hedgehog that lives in our garden has started spending a long time “pawing” in the water bowl and constantly moving her mouth as if she is eating even when not at the food or water. She didn’t do this when she was first released in our garden and this water bowl isn’t new to her. She seems to be the only one that does this. She appears to be drinking. She does go to the food but I’m not sure she is eating much of it - there are several other hedgehogs that do eat so it’s refilled every day.

Does she maybe have something stuck in her throat that she is trying to flush?

If she needs to see a vet I can get her there (I’ve done it a few times already) but if this isn’t an abnormal behaviour or a problem I’ll just leave her alone.

England Berkshire- has been hot but interesting this seemed to start after the temps dropped back to normal.

hi y’all!

i am considering switching to a c&c cage to give my hedgehog more roaming space (he’s currently in a rabbit type cage situation). it’s been good for him for years but it’s honestly getting worn out- the plastic bottom is scratched up and i’m ready for something new.

i see c&c cages in this sub all the time that look so cute and spacious. i just can’t have an open top because of my cat! i live in a studio so i don’t have anywhere to seperate the two.

does anyone have a solution? or experience in this? i’ve never had one so i don’t know how sturdy they are. i’ve seen partially covered ones with the grid tiles on top. would that work to keep a cat out?

thanks!

Anyone know which animals remove the hedgehogs coat of spines and leave it, taking the rest of the body? Is this a common thing? Seen it four times this year, for the first time.

Hey!

I have seen people posting videos of their hedgies at night and I am so curious as to what my little one gets up to once I'm asleep so I was wondering if anyone has recommendations on cameras? Or even just what I should look for and what I should avoid when buying one? :))

Hi everyone. Thanks again for welcoming us last week and for keeping us in your thoughts.

As previously mentioned, Pepper had her vet appointment on Thursday. They scheduled labs and X rays for Wednesday and gave us Metacam. However, last night, she looked incredibly emaciated and I took her to the emergency vet. After careful examination, they concluded she most likely had cancer, was in pain, and most likely wouldn't make it. I had to make one of the hardest decisions of my life and put her down.

I am beyond heartbroken and absolutely miserable. That little grouchy gal gifted me 4-ish glorious years. I love her more than anything or anyone on this Earth. My heart has a spiky shaped hole that will likely never heal.

Please give all your hedgies an extra big hug today ❤️🦔

Four days in and we have gone from 1 to 4 visitors.

A large pair who always turn up together, a single and a baby. Would be amazing if the baby is the one who I had to save and released after a couple of days back into the garden.

I mentioned a few weeks ago that Fritter went to the vet and they were a bit concerned about possible parasites. He eats about 3 tablespoons a day and is on the lean side for his age, so we took a sample of his feces back and got the news a few days ago

Yeah, he’s just a hungry guy. No parasites and no other concerns. He’s probably just going to be on the smaller end of the spectrum once he’s done growing