AboutLaurel Sedgwick Expertise Can answer care, health, & behavioral questions, as well as basic breeding questions. Can help questioner figure out if a hedgehog is the right pet for them.
Experience Have had hedgehogs since 2001 - 8 so far. I have no experience with non-weaned babies, and limited experience with breeding and with pregnant hedgehogs. I have had too much experience with WHS (Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome). I would rate myself "expert" at syringe-feeding, and as "advanced" at performing SubQs.
Organizations I am a Provisional Judge for the IHA (International Hedgehog Association), and run a rescue station for the HWS (Hedgehog Welfare Organization). I also belong to the HBA (Hedgehog Breeders' ssociation) and am USDA licensed.
Education/Credentials I read everything I can get my hands on. Have read the best of the books, Dawn's Wrobel's THE HEDGEHOG and Tig M-Burleson's THE HEDGEHOG primer. Have been a member of various online bulletin board groups since 2002. Have attended many hedgehog shows.
Question I've read that sometimes hedgies go through a second phase of quilling after
about a year. Fagan is 20 months old and has been quilling again for almost
a month now. She loses at least 20-30 quills a day. I do not believe it is
mites because the base of the quill is in tact. She is starting to bald on the
lower part of her back. Help!
Answer A hedgehog may go through several quillings related to growth, but not at Fagan's age. I would look for physical causes (e.g., dry skin, allergy), and also for emotional stress (HHs usually don't like changes). You didn't mention Fagan's color -- is she albino? Albinos are the HH 'color' most prone to skin problems. Maybe try a bath, using a soothing shampoo, like Baby Oatmeal by J&J. Follow w/ a dilute Vit E oil rinse. Try the Yahoo bulletin boards hedgehoghelp and hedgehogwelfare for more ideas. It would be appropriate to take Fagan to the vet, but not all vets will treat HHs.
