A very sick Hedgie :(

Question

Hedgie all tucked in   Hi Laurel,

So 2 days ago I noticed that my hedgie (male, 8 months old approx)had been acting very differently. He is usually very active and lively, but now he just lays around and is very floppy. Barely curls up when you pick him up. He had a reddish tint in his stool also, I waited a day and the redness went away but it was still moist and now green a little. I took him to the vets today and they hydrated him, gave me antibiotics, and a mite vaccination - but they couldn't actually tell me what was wrong with him. He eats dry-kibble hedgehog food and the odd superworm. He has been extremely tired since coming back from the vets, but for the past 10 minutes he has been opening and closing his mouth.. it doesn't sound like he is gasping for breath or anything, but I just don't know. What could this mean? Should I go back to the vets?

Thanks,

Pippa

Answer
Pippa:

I am sorry to hear that your hedgie is so sick.

Yes, I think you should take him back to the vet (preferably one who knows about hedgehogs).  He could be yawning, but he could also be laboring to breathe.  This is a very serious symptom, and could indicate that the hedgie is on the verge of death.  

A stool that is kind of a bright green color usually indicates a bacterial infection, whereas a tarry dark green can indicate cancer.

Please let me know the outcome of your situation.

Hedgie Blessings,

Laurel