Hedgehog health care

Hedgehogs have special health care needs, but caring for them can be surprisingly straightforward if you are prepared. Most common hedgehog ailments such as obesity, quill loss, tattered ears, and foot injuries can be prevented through proper diet, exercise, and routine care. For some routine health care supplies, see our Shopping Guide. In addition, see our suggested list of hedgehog first aid supplies.

However, some ailments or symptoms necessitate veterinary care. Before the need arises, identify a veterinarian in your area who has experience with hedgehogs. A yearly well-pet visit consisting of a normal physical exam, fecal analysis, skin scraping for mites, and dental exam is an excellent precaution. A good vet can catch many symptoms before they become true medical emergencies. VetWorld USA maintains a good listing of vets, including those who see hedgehogs, if you need some help finding a vet in your area. The Hedgehog Welfare Society maintains a list of vets who see hedgehogs. Also consider joining the an e-mail list and asking for recommendations there.

Finding and working with a veterinarian

If you do not have a vet in your area who has experience with hedgehogs, do not despair. Many vets are eager and willing to learn. Vets with experience with birds, reptiles, or other exotics do have experience working with smaller animals with greater sensitivity to anesthesia and different needs for healthcare. Again, the well-pet visit is key in establishing trust and rapport with your vet and also allows him or her to see your pet in a normal condition. A recommended book for vets or vet techs who wish to learn more about hedgehogs is Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery (Includes Sugar Gliders and Hedgehogs) by Katherine E. Quesenberry, James W. Carpenter, and Peter Quesenberry.

In some circumstances, collecting a blood sample from a hedgehog will be necessary. Since this can be a delicate procedure in such a small animal, Kim Scea, a veterinary technician, detailed different techniques for drawing blood from a hedgehog that may prove beneficial for you and your vet.

Veterinary insurance has recently become a popular option for dogs and cats, but has not been available for many exotics. However, Veterinary Medical Insurance now offers a very reasonably priced insurance plan for hedgehogs, as well as other exotics, which covers fees, treatments, prescriptions, x-rays, surgery and hospitalization. This is available for a relatively small cost, and can provide peace of mind.

Home health care and routine maintenance

Gina Anderson has designed a fantastic weight ledger for hedgehogs, which will track the date and time of the weighing, weight, and notes. This is a great tool to print and take to your vet if needed! Keeping track of your hedgehog's weight is an excellent way to detect trends that might otherwise go unnoticed. Weights can be taken using a postal or kitchen scale. I prefer scales that measure in grams rather than ounces because the units of measure are more appropriately sized for hedgehog weights. Gina's weight ledger is available in several formats for ease of use.

Hedgehogs also need routine care including nail trimmings and the occasional bath. While often daunting to the new owner, these activities can be made easier (and sometimes even fun!) with a little preparation.

Common medical conditions

A frequent affliction of pet hedgehogs is an infestation of mites. Mites are spread primarily by contact with another infested animal or contaminated bedding. Wood shavings are a frequent suspect, which is another reason why an alternate form of bedding such as a recycled newsprint product (Carefresh or Yesterday's News) is a healthy alternative. While there are home remedies, such as cocoa butter or baths containing a food oil, that can alleviate the itchiness of mites, the only treatments to get rid of the mite are available from your veterinarian. The most common prescription is ivermectin. The delivery method will vary based on the severity of the infestation and the health of the hedgehog and may be oral, topical, or injectable. Typically, multiple treatments are administered to rid the hedgehog first of adult mites and then later of adult mites that may have hatched since the first treatment. Another, newer mite treatment is Revolution, a flea-control medication for dogs and cats. Discuss this with your veterinarian to see which treatment is most appropriate for your hedgehog.

Hedgehogs are frequently afflicted by several forms of cancer. Anecdotal evidence suggests that a nutritional supplement called IP6 (inositol hexaphosphate, available at GNC and other nutrition stores as CellForte), which has been clinically proven to have anti-cancer effects in lab rats, may have beneficial effects for hedgehogs fighting cancer. Since no clinical trials on hedgehogs have been done, the effects have not been scientifically established. However, IP6 in doses around 100 mg per week, mixed into food, seems to slow or reduce tumor growth in otherwise healthy hedgehogs. Please discuss this or any other treatment with your vet before beginning any therapy.

An ailment that my own hedgehog Knarla Pog recently suffered from is vestibular syndrome, otherwise known as idiopathic vestibular neuronitis, which is not uncommon in older dogs and cats. While the exact triggers for vestibular syndrome are unknown, it is a problem with the nerve running between the inner ear, which controls balance, and the brain. The hedgehog, or affected animal, in essence loses its sense of balance. While this syndrome generally resolves itself over a few days without much treatment, it can be a terrifying experience for both hedgehog and human.

Wobby Hedgehog Syndrome (WHS) is sadly more common than vestibular syndrome and less treatable. This progressive neurological condition is genetic in origin and shows as progressive paralysis. Much research is being done on this condition and there are many hedgehog owners who work to support those caring for hedgehogs with WHS. WHS tends to manifest itself slowly, so any gradual onset of wobbliness or paralysis should be reviewed by a vet as a possible case of WHS. Sudden onset of symptoms usually indicates another cause. See the table below for some guidance, and please consult a vet for these serious conditions as needed.

With ailments like WHS or vestibular syndrome, or any illness where a hedgehog will not or cannot eat on his own, syringe feeding may be necessary. This ensures that your pet will receive adequate hydration and calories.

Finding more information

Since hedgehogs are relatively new to the domestic market, information on their proper care is rapidly changing. We strongly recommend joining one of the hedgehog mailing lists, which are an excellent resource to share hedgehog symptoms and knowledge with others. This symptoms chart is meant as a guide only; when in doubt, speak to a veterinarian with good clinical knowledge about hedgehogs.

You may find the following articles useful to learn more about your hedgehog's special healthcare needs.