What are some of the common diseases of pet
Hedgehogs are sensitive to respiratory disease caused by Bordetella, Pasteurella, and Corynebacterium infections. Watch out for sneezing, nasal discharge, or difficulty breathing. Diagnosis involves radiographs and a culture of their discharge and is treated with antibiotics. .
“In general, any time your hedgehog is less active, not eating well, or you notice more specific signs like coughing, sneezing, trouble breathing, abnormal urine or feces, etc., a vet visit is warranted,” she says.
If your hedgehog is acting sluggish, lethargic, uncoordinated or they are wobbly with the inability to move limbs; it may be a hibernation attempt. Some hedgehog owners fear the worst – Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome – which is a definite death sentence. Between the two, you can determine hedgehog hibernation quite easily.
The hedgehog's bowl movements should be similar in color to the hedgehog's food. Green droppings or diarrhea are signs of illness and stress. Your hedgehog should move freely without limping, wobbling, or dragging its feet. A hedgehog's normal gait will create a “pitter-patter” sound.
A hedgehog's go-to vocal is huffing and puffing, but he's not trying to blow the house down. This sniffing is a normal vocalization he makes while going about his business of exploring. An unhappy hedgehog, on the other hand, will show his disdain with a hiss or a clicking sound.
Things you can look out for are: Does its skin spring back when you pull up a couple of spines? If the skin appears to stay in place, the hedgehog could be dehydrated. Ensure the hedgehog has access to plenty of water if you suspect dehydration.
Signs of stress
The stressed hedgehog may also twitch or shake its head nervously. It is almost as if the hedgehog is saying “Sensory overload. I can't take it anymore.” The hedgehog might give you a warning bite if the first two signs are overlooked.
Don't let your hedgie get cold!
Hibernation is actually dangerous for African Pygmy hedgehogs. It slows their metabolism down, leaving them susceptible to infections, dehydration and starvation. It's important to keep your hedgehog in an environment between 72 and 80 degrees.
Hedgehogs are naturally quite active, and they can get quite sad and depressed if they don't get enough exercise. A running wheel is rather like the hedgehog version of a treadmill. Just be sure to choose a solid one: the wire ones are actually dangerous.
Signs of lungworm, therefore, can range from no disease to snuffles, wheezes, nasal discharge, increased respiratory effort (sometimes with rattling breathing), cough, weight loss, reduced appetite, weakness, reduced activity, staggering gait and open mouth breathing. In severe cases, the disease can cause death.
Several hedgehog owners have recommended using chicken baby food without onions. One brand or flavor may be preferred over others. One more thing to try is a mixture of baby rice cereal with bananas and a tiny bit of acidophilus powder to the food.
One manifestation of salmonellosis in hedgehogs is abscessation of the lymph nodes. The signs of salmonellosis therefore vary, and are non-specific, but can include persistent weight loss, dehydration, loss of appetite, weakness, diarrhoea (often green, mucoid or blood-stained) and breathing difficulties.
“Don't kiss or snuggle hedgehogs because this can spread salmonella germs to your face and mouth and make you sick,” the agency warned. No deaths have been reported and one person has been hospitalized, the C.D.C. said.
Hedgehogs need environmental temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees. Keep your hedgehog's cage away from drafts, direct sunlight, or cold areas. You may want to provide your hedgehog with a small warm spot in his cage where he can go to get warm but would also be able to get away from if he feels too warm.
Report it. Always report a dead hedgehog to Garden Wildlife Health. You can do this online in a couple of minutes using this link.
Keep the box in a quiet, warm place: a hot water bottle filled with hot tap water wrapped in a towel can provide a gentle heat source – make sure it doesn't go cold! You can provide some fresh water and meaty cat or dog food, but don't try to feed the hedgehog directly.
HEATSTROKE AND DEHYDRATION
If they are laying on their sides then it is very serious. Often seen in the summer months but also dehydration can be a problem in the winter months.
Talking to your hedgehog while holding, snuggling, bathing, and other enjoyable activities will help your hedgehog associate the sound of your voice with comfort and enjoyment. Over the years we have found the radio and music very soothing for a variety of different animals.
Chirping like a baby bird = hungry hoglets in the nest. Screaming Hedgehog = in pain and distress. Hissing Hedgehog = warning sign – keep away! Clicking and “popping” Hedgehog = challenge, often to other males in mating season.
The quills tend to lay down flat along the back and sides of the hedgehog, all pointing towards their rear end, so as long as you don't push against the sharp tips of the quills (pet them backwards) they pose no problems or chance of being poked.
Use gardening gloves or a towel to handle the hedgehog, then take it inside in a box and place a well-wrapped hot water bottle underneath it. Fill the bottle with hot tap water (not boiling) – you should be able to hold your hand comfortably on the bottle when wrapped.
Hedgehogs are very good swimmers and it is safe to make the bath deep enough for your little one to swim. Never leave them unattended, as they could tire out and drown or climb out of the sink and fall to the floor. We highly recommend parental supervision if a minor is conducting the bath.
Cause – Change in Environment or Routine
Sometimes hedgehogs are just too busy sleeping, exploring, or running on the wheel, to take the time to eat. Waiting to introduce the wheel, after the hedgehog has acclimated to eating and drinking in its new home, will help prevent eating distractions.