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| What's The Hedgehog Weight Chart? |
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Simply a weight chart for hedgehogs. Well, it could be used for
any animal, but I made it specifically for a hedgehog! Data is
entered
horizontally, with spaces to input data for:
- Hedgehog's Name
- Date Span
- Page Numbers
- Date of Weigh
- Time of Weigh, AM/PM
- Weight (g)
- Notes
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| Why Is it Important? |
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I cannot stress enough how important it is to weigh your hedgehog
because hedgies are notorious for showing weight loss or gain when
an illness lurks even if no other symptoms are present. Vets
determine
many illness by weight loss or gain, and if you do not have a
written
record, it may be more difficult for you and your vet to determine
if there is an illness present and what kind. Having a weight chart
will alert you to changes you may not have noticed otherwise, and
could very well save your hedgehog's life.
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| Why Is It Here? |
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On the Hedgehog
Help List, we were discussing a hedgehog who had lost weight.
The discussion led into the importance of keeping a weight record
I mentioned I used my own chart, several people asked for it and
I decided that I would just offer a download from my site.
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| How Can I Get One? |
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Just download it! I have three formats available.
 Microsoft Word 2000 (.doc)
 Adobe Acrobat Reader (.pdf)
 Web Page to Print (.html)***
*** Printing the web page will strip the alternate row
colors,
and just leave them white unless you set your browser or printer
preferences to print background colors and/or patterns on web
pages. For Internet Explorer instructions, please
look
here.
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| How Do I Enter Data? |
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This chart is very simple. First, decide how often you will weigh
your hedgehog. It's best to weigh them at the same time of day,
but I included time data for those that don't. Simply input the
date, time of weigh, the weight in grams of your hedgehog, and any
notes that seem important for that day (such as a decreased
appetite,
vomiting, or strange stool).
If you do not have a scale, there are several choices available.
I recommend a scale that will weigh in grams (g), as it is most
accurate and is used most as the hedgehog's unit of weight.
Here
are several resources for electronic scales.
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| Will You Make More Detailed Charts? |
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Yes. I have been working on a chart that will allow you to input
all sorts of data such as weather, activity level, appetite level
or amount of food consumed that day, and more. I am also thinking
of offering an online version, so you can compare data by using
a database and script, but that will take awhile. Check back here,
or if you hang out on the Hedgehog Yahoo Groups Help
, World
, Welfare
, or Fun
, I will announce any updates on those lists. If you have a
hedgehog,
and you are not a member of these mailing lists, you should be.
They are very helpful, so come join us!
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| Hey, You Did Me a Favor--How Can I Help You? |
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Glad you asked! There are several ways you can help hedgehogs.
- You shop online right? Try joining iGive
and a percentage of your shopping dollars at many online stores
will be donated to organizations related to helping hedgehogs.
Joining iGive is free, and there is no difference in your shopping
cart totals. The donation comes out of the Internet store's pocket.
Join, then search for a cause by using the keyword "hedgehog"
in the search box. Thanks for supporting those lovely people who
help hedgies!
- Suggest data you'd
like to record on your hedgehog. You never know, it might spur
a great idea for a chart!
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