RIP Puff the Hedgehog

[Deleted]

My sweet little hedgehog Puff passed peacefully in her sleep last night. She had been having health problems for the past year and it was suspected she had tumors in her brain and possibly digestive tract. I knew it was her time because her appetite had been declining and last night she would just splat out on the floor. She gave me a "Mom, I'm kind of done" look when I tried to feed her and let me hold her and rub her little chin (something she never would have done before) so I knew she was saying her good byes.

I found her laying flat on her tummy, little legs tucked in and eyes closed, resting peacefully this morning.

I am taking her to be necropsied and cremated in a few minutes. I had been debating all morning whether or not I wanted a necropsy but I decided Puff would want to help further hedgehog veterinary care, which is even less knowledgeable currently than ferret care.

Puff was my first hedgehog. I rescued her from a pet store that was going bankrupt and wouldn't say what was going to happen to their animals once they did. They closed down a few weeks after I took her home. Hedgehogs were a very steep learning curve and little Puff put up with me learning the ropes. She never became a super friendly hedgehog but she was still very sweet at times and her little face was always so precious.

RIP little Puff, hopefully we will get some answers on what took you from this earth, but even if we don't, you will be missed dearly.

Enjoy your unlimited supply of mealworms in Hedgie heaven.

[Deleted]

I'm so sorry to hear the bad news. I hope everything will be okay. Best regards, Kelly.

[Deleted]

Sorry to hear about the loss of your little friend.

[katt]

Oh I'm so sorry! *hugs*

[Sherry]

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. It's always hard, and even harder when we don't know why they had to leave us

[Deleted]

I am very sorry! I am glad she is no longer in pain. I know how hard it is to say good bye. Best wishes to both of you.

[Deleted]

Thanks everyone.

I got the vet to do a necropsy on her and I feel as if I finally have some closure. The necropsy revealed that her little body was full of cancer and that there was nothing that I could of done, and that I was extremely forunate she lived as long as she did and that she died peacefully at home.

Here are the results if anyone is curious:


-Puff's liver was 98% cancerous and 2% normal functioning liver
-She had a tumor on her spleen
-Her left uterine horn had thickened indicating cancer
-The tumors were spreading down the bile duct towards the intestine
-There was a giant tumor wrapped around the major blood vessels of the heart (it was wrapped around the aorta, on the wall of the heart, but not in the actual heart or lungs)

The vet also believes that the head tilt she was suffering from may have been caused by an embolysm that broke off from one of the tumors and traveled to her brain.

Puff spent the last few months of her life quite happy, eating and drinking and walking around on her own. She did not lose any weight which is a miracle considering her condition and overall her body remained in good condition.

I am very grateful for the extra time I got with her and that she lived as long as she did ( her age is unknown but she's anywhere from 2-5 years old, most like in the higher end of that range) and that she died peacefully at home in her sleep.

RIP little one <3

[Deleted]

Aww she sounds like a sweetheart, sorry for your loss and glad it was peaceful for her. She's in a better place...

[Deleted]

I'm so sorry that you lost the little tyke, she sounded adorable from the way you described her -- RIP, Puff

[joclyn]

so sorry for your loss - she sure was a cutie!!

you did all you could, and more - she knew you loved her and that's what is most important!

[Deleted]

Thank you everyone I appreciate it

[Heather]

A candle is lit for this sweet wee one. Her journey has begun, her pain ended. She now enjoys herself in a beautiful endless garden, the ground covered with a blankey of thick moist leaves' She now spends endless hours snuffling, and digging under the leaves chasing those little worms and bugs that are delicacies that she so enjoys. Your care kept her going and your love gave her strength to fight. Gentle journey wee one...goodbye
ciao

[shilohismygirl]

<3 I am so sorry for your loss. Puff sounded like a grade A sweet heart and a wonderful pet. Little fragile bodies can't live forever, but it is always hard to have to let go. Hugs and I am thinking of you and Miss Puff!