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First Aid for Hedgehogs
It is unfortunate, but many people don’t realize that if they own a hedgehog, they need a first aid kit designed especially for hedgehogs. The difference between having a first aid kit and not having one essentially comes down to a difference between life and death for your hedgehog.
First aid kits for humans are not the suitable for hedgehogs. Hedgehogs are very tiny creatures, and you need the right supplies to care for them in an emergency. Furthermore, a first aid kit cannot and does not take the place of professional veterinarian care. A first aid kit exists for the purpose of getting you through an emergency, until you can transport the hedgehog to the veterinarian’s office.
Hedgehogs do have emergencies from time to time. They are very curious creatures, and while curiosity may have killed the cat, it can also injure the hedgehog. Start by getting any container with a lid. The lid should fit tightly on the container, so that children – and the hedgehog – cannot get inside. A plastic bowl will do.
Inside the kit, place a business card or paper with the veterinarians name, phone number, emergency phone numbers, office hours, and any other information that you may need, such as the address and directions to his or her office. Remember that the first aid kit is just to get you from the initial onset of a injury or illness to the veterinarians office.
If you have that, other items that you need include peroxide, antiseptic ointment that is suitable for pets, iodine, small pieces of gauze and the thinnest gauze tape that you can find, splints purchased from your veterinarian and designed for small animals, a styptic pen or cornstarch to stop bleeding, cotton swabs, nail clippers, tweezers, small scissors, and a heating pad or hand warmers.
You should not only get these items, but you should also have your veterinarian check out your first aid kit, and listen to any suggestions that he may have to improve it. Depending on the overall health of your hedgehog, he may suggest items that are more specific to the emergency care of your hedgehog. Be sure to heed his advice.
Also, as items are used in your hedgehog first aid kit, make sure that they are replaced as soon as possible. Don’t forget about it or wait to long to replace items in the first aid kit. It would be horrible to need a styptic pencil only to discover that you forgot to buy a new one after the last need for it!
Finally, look around your home and your hedgehog’s cage for potential dangers. By removing those dangers, you will cut down on the chances that you will ever have to use the hedgehog first aid kit.
Hedgehogs, Hedgehogs information, Hedgehog tips, Hedgehog pets, Hedgehog advice
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