Do you want to learn more about hedgehog pet ear care?
When I was looking for the finest spot to acquire toys for my hedgehog to play with, I happened to encounter a breeder who gave suggestions on how to care for our pet, and he educated us on the importance of caring for my hedgehog’s ears. I’d like to expand on what I’ve learned and invite you to read my post on hedgehog pet care packages and hedgehog pet nail clipping, which will educate you on the best ways to care for your friend’s nail
Let’s get started,
Do Hedgehogs Pets Like Their Ears Rubbed
One of the most crucial things you need to know is how to communicate with your hedgehog. Touching your pet is one way to figure out why they do what they do and how you might connect with them to make them feel more safe and trustworthy. Hedgehogs are quite shy and take some time to get comfortable in their environment. You, as their owner, have to gain trust so they can enjoy you touching them rather than feel your touch as a potential harm. Pay close attention to opportunities to rub your hedgehog from its nose to the top of its head. As you get to know your pet, give it gentle touch on places it does not mind which includes its ears
How Do You Clean A Hedgehog Pet Ears
When an animal’s ears become filthy clean them. It is advisable to wipe the ears of hedgehog pets 1-2 times each month for sanitary reasons. The following are ways to clean your hedgehog pets ears
- Position your pet: To begin, place your pet in one posture, such as placing him in your arms and clasping his head with your hands. Avoid frightening your pet before the operation. Place it on its side with care. A towel can be used to wrap the hedgehog so you do not get hurt by its quills during the process, and reassure and comfort your pet.
- Examine your pet’s ears: The cleaning process starts with an inspection of the auricle. If there is a lot of filth in there but no inflammation, place a cotton pad saturated with lotion in the ear or use a specific spray.
- Massage the lotion into your pet’s ears to help the substance distribute evenly and thoroughly dissolve the grime
- Clean up any dirt: Using a cotton pad or swab, remove dissolved dirt and sulfur. Take caution not to injure the animal. Your motions should be directed outward. You cannot make abrupt motions while penetrating deep into the auricle. Do not obstruct your pet’s attempts to eliminate lotion or powder remains.
To avoid spreading the infection from one ear to the other, use a clean tissue or Q-tip for each ear.
How Do I Know If My Hedgehog Pet Has An Ear Infection
Inflammation symptoms include the following:
- Shaking the head and rubbing the ear or peeling off the edge of the ear
- The edge of the ear is ripped
- Profuse discharge from the ears that smell bad and might be misinterpreted for severe body odor
- Loss of balance
- Swelling and redness in the ear region.
- Hearing impairment
- Scratching in the ear region excessively
- Aggression, behavioral changes.
- The hedgehog suffers discomfort,
- The head is bent to the side.
How Do You Treat A Hedgehog Pet Ear Infection
Some breeders are advised to clip the hair in the inner part of the ear to prevent dirt from gathering, but this should be done carefully so that the hairs do not fall into the auricle itself.
If the animal has swollen ears, irritation, or infection, you should visit a veterinarian right away; otherwise, some diseases that contain such symptoms can progress to significant complications, such as otitis media, hearing loss, hematoma, and even brain inflammation
3 Home Remedies For Hedgehog Pet Ear Infection
Home remedies can also be used before taking your pet to the clinic. They include the following
- Tea tree essential oil: It is an excellent treatment for any form of infection caused by bacteria or fungus. If there are no injuries in the ear, kindly administer 2 or 3 drops per day. If the ear has wounds, you can blend the tea tree essential oil with sweet almond oil, using 20 drops of essential oil in half a glass of almond oil using 5 drops of this combination every day.
- Garlic: Crush two cloves of garlic and place them in a sealed container with olive oil; set aside overnight. The next day, filter the mixture and place 5 drops of this medicine in our hedgehog ear regularly.
- Aloe Vera: Because of its emollient activity, pure aloe Vera juice is great for preserving our pet’s ear canal. When applied topically, it lowers inflammation and soothes pain. Kindly apply it to our hedgehog’s ear at least twice a day.
How Do You Prevent A Hedgehog Pet Ear Infection
As a preventive step,
- Check your pet’s ears once in two weeks and gently clean them with a special ear cleaner available at any veterinary pharmacy
- Ear wipes and special cotton swabs are also highly popular
- Never clean your ear any deeper than you can see.
- Maintain good hygiene by inspecting and cleaning your ears regularly.
- Keep water out of your ears; do not allow your pet to become chilly;
- Avoid bringing your pet into touch with animals that have ear disorders.
- Take your pet to the vet regularly.
What Antibiotics Are Safe For Hedgehog Pets with an ear infection
The following are safe antibiotics for your pet:
- Tetracycline is a medication that comes in the form of an oral solution and capsules. Tetracycline is used to treat skin and respiratory problems
- Cephalexin is a “broad-spectrum” antibiotic, which means it can help hedgehogs recover from a variety of illnesses. It is most commonly used to treat skin and respiratory diseases
3. Amoxicillin Veterinarians frequently prescribe amoxicillin to care for hedgehogs, particularly in treatments for bacterial illnesses. Amoxicillin is a more readily absorbed drug that is well tolerated by the hedgehog’s body. You mustn’t provide amoxicillin to the hedgehog on your own under any circumstances, since you might give it too much or too little. The veterinarian will advise you on the appropriate dosage and how to deliver it to your pet. It should also be noted that amoxicillin should never be given to a pregnant or nursing hedgehog since it is an antibiotic that may travel to fetuses in their stomachs and into their milk, and therefore be passed to the fetuses’ organisms. Puppies are generating complications for the hoglets
Conclusion
Pet ear care should be one of the primary hygiene treatments performed regularly .Ear infections are complicated and require veterinarian treatment promptly, and the best thing owners can do is prevent ear infections. You are responsible for your pet’s health and it is important to give your pet full attention, not get tired of regularly inspecting him, and follow proper sanitary measures. I recommend that you read my articles on Hedgehog Pet Dry Skin which provide you with the finest techniques to care for your buddy’s skin and always give your pet a well-balanced food to keep its immune system