hedgehogs and a few things you may encounter

]Hedgehogs and some encountered problems

by Colin Bradbury

Mites


Mite infection is on of the more common problems associated with hedgehogs , these can manifest themselves in a number of ways , scruffy ,scaly or dry thickened skin , loss of spines , and in extreme cases skin lesions . The most popular mite infection is caparinia mites , but also know are , sarcoptic mange , demodex , chorioptic mange , and notoedres mange. This is a parasitic condition ,the mite being the parasite and the hedgehog being the host.

Caparinia - This shows up on the host hedgehog usually as scabby eczema , sometimes quill loss ,dry or thinkend skin is usually observed this can often be seen on the margins of the ears . often The small mites can be seen as tiny white dots on the hedgehogs skin , and appear to be moving , using a black cloth and wiping the area suspected on the hedgehog can often help see the mite as they are transferred to the dark cloth and stand out easier against the black background. in severe cases secondary infection may become a problem . Males are twice as likely to be infected than females , and it is twice as likely in older hogs than younger hogs . It often also appears as a symptom of ringworm . Diagnosis to be confirmed by a vet . who should check for the following . 1- presence of white mites just visible to the naked eye , powdery deposit on the cheeks and around the ears , 2- in the white mites are not visible but it is thought this to still be the case a piece of sellotape used to lift a sample off the skin and viewed under a microscope may be used . 3- If still no signs are seen a skin scrape may be carried out . the scrape taken from the worse part of infected skin should heated gently in 0.5% potassium hydroxide and examined under the microscope. The caparinia mite can be identified by its short mouthparts with blunt chewing chelicerae , short tarsal hooks and caruncles ,but no body spines , they also lack hooks on the main leg segments . Treatment - are usually effective with one of the following methods 1- 0.2 to 0.5 mg/kg oral , three doses to be given every two weeks. 2- a few drops of ivermectin dropped between the quills and between the should blades the should be diluted in a ration of 1 part ivermectin to 9 parts propylene glycol. 3 - ivomec for cattle mixed 1:9 with propylene glycol injected at 0.4ml/kg. The hedgehogs enclosure should be cleaned down daily with strong disinfectant and bedding changed daily . a follow up skin scrape may be required in apporx 2 month to ensure that there has been no re-infection .

Sarcoptic mange - This again is a parasitic infection of the skin but this time by burrowing mites . It causes intense itching , changes in the skin usually a thickening of and hair and quill loss. usually seen by crusting of the skin , skin lesions and sometimes a foul ouder , lesions can occur anywhere on the body and may be limited to just one spot or cover the whole body in bad cases . Hair loss may be seen on the face and neck , emaciation , staggering while walking and a poor will to fight / loss of fear . Untreated can lead to death from emaciation and or dehydration . It is very easily passed to other hedgehogs but can in some cases be passed to other species including humans although the effects are generally self limiting and short lived in humans . transmission is through either direct or indirect contact . more likely to affect the Egyptian long-eared hedgehog or European hedgehog than other species . diagnosis should be done by a vet and will require deep skin scrapes over several areas . treatment preferred in hedgehogs should be ivomec at 0.2-0.3mg/kg by injection . the enclosure must be thourghly clean out and bedding changed daily during treatment

Demodex Infection - This is another mange mite that infects the host animal ,effecting the hair / quill follicles . It is usually noticed as raised papules or crusty skin lesions or flaking skin . The hedgehog will normally show perfectly normal behavior with no physical symptoms. The mite actually lives in the hair / Quill follicle and associated sebaceous gland . Diagnoses can only be done with deep skin scrapings . The treatment for this parasite is by ivomec 0.2-0.3 mg/kg by injection . again the enclosure must be cleaned everyday including substrate during treatment to prevent re-infection . This is generally only seen in European hedgehogs

Chorioptic Mange - A parasitic mange mite that lives on the surface of the skin and feeds on dead skin and other debris . Often seen as crusty skin lesions , particularly on the ears but with little scratching by the hedgehog . Loss of quills and hair , thickening of the skin , lesions most likely on the face and ears . Many times going undiagnosed but often found during skin scrapes where caparinia is found . Treatment for hedgehogs may require ivermectin injected at 0.2mg/kg every 21 days for skin infection and amitraz at 0.003% sprayed from a spray bottle twice at seven days apart . most likely to effect Algerian hedgehog and African pygmy hedgehog.

Notoedres mange - again a mange mite parasite that is most likely to infect the ears . often occurring along side saroptic mange , it is know to effect hedgehog but also cats and rabbits , it causes typical mange type lesions mainly around the ears and head , but can be more widespread. shows as dry wrinkled skin covered by a grey to yellow crust . often noticed after instance scratching by the hedgehog which may cause secondary infections if severe. The infection caused in the ear can cause inflammation and may cause disorientation and fits . most likely to effect the European hedgehog and both the Algerian and pygmy hedgehog . The hedgehog usually remains active and feeding but may show increased signs of day time activity . Should be diagnosed by a vet who will look for lesions on the hairy area of the body more so at the junction with the quilled area . inflammation , thickening , partial alopecia and thick crusts of dried exudates comprising masses of 0.5mm diameter burrows extending into the skin. these burrows have a single female at the end and are filled with eggs and larvae. complete erosion of the epidermis beneath burrows of the female. a skin scrape will usually be carried out to look for the presence of mites under the microscope . often confused with other mite infections and ringworm. initial treatment with inermectin diluted to 1:9 with propylene glycol at 1-2 drops per ear . as some ear mite appear to be resistant to ivermectin the alternative would be neomycin / permethrin ear drops 1-2 drops per ear repeated treatment is normally required . If the hog is unsocial general anesthesia may be required to instill the drops for none ear ivermectin 0.2 to 0.4 mg/kg oral , given three doses at three week intervals

Ringworm


ringworm is a fungal disease in hedgehogs often noticed together with mites or bacterial skin infection , it effects the skin hair and nails , it does not thrive in living tissue or in the presence of severe inflammation. it causes scaly skin and harsh crusts may form , often the hair becomes dry and brittle and appears lust less. can show up as generalized scale over the body , it can cause generalized quill loss , also scabs and scurf mainly at the border of the skirt along the hair quill margin , sometimes with hair loss, dry white flaky skin , ears may be thickened dry and crusty with crumbling margins. lesions on the skin which bleed when the scab is removed. often diagnosed along with a mite infection usually a mange mite. often shows as crusty skin at the base of the quills, the quills may fall out or be very easy to dislodge, lesions often appearing on the nose , generally spreads from the head first and latter to the body, the severity of the disease usually increases over time. the hedgehog may still gain weight normally and show little irritation even with severe infection , but may also cause scratching , it may lie dormant for considerable period of time . hedgehog to human infection is likely and is the most common source of infection of humans handling hedgehogs , where it may cause intensely irritating infection seen mostly by raised lesions , a gp should be consulted if an infection is suspected. All mammals are susceptible to hedgehog ringworms and can infect all household pets such as dogs cats rodents ect. Transmission may be direct or indirect , spores from nests ect that are disturbed can become airborne and infect things in the local area , all hedgehog species are susceptible to ringworm. diagnosed by a vet , most reliable way is for a skin scrape to be taken or biopsy of skin . a culture is then grow on sabourauds agar at 28deg ,dermatophyte test medium is required for confirmation as trichophyton does not fluoresce. treatment by imaverol diluted 1 part to 50 parts luke warm water . place in a shallow container , bathe the hedgehog with solution paying attention to covering all areas of its body . but ensure the hog does not inhale the solution , bath four times a day at three intervals and reassess after course of treatment. imaverol mixed 1 part to 50 parts with sterile water apply as spray once daily and continue treatment for 50 days , oral griseofulivin alone or in conjunction with other methods , 1/4 of a 125mg tablet per 500g of body weight sprinkled over food daily for at least four weeks . localized treatment with antifungal creams such as caneten. vitamin A supplements during treatment . dispose or disinfect regular all items in contact with the hedgehog . wash hands with alcohol and change clothing after handling affected animals

Hedgehog dental disease


This is generally accepted as being caused by soft feeds , including the staple diet based on tinned pet foods , it is thought that that lack of bone and chitin in the diet is also a contributing factor. it is often observed though excessive saliva , saliva may be foamy and smell bad , not to be confused with anointing . sometimes pawing at the mouth is observed as is an accumulation of dental tartar , gum inflammation which may be severe, recession of the gums , facial abscesses may be seen and general facial swelling sometimes resulting in the eye being pushed close. poor appetite , loose teeth , nasal discharge and coughing may all be noted , treatment usually includes decaling , polishing and tooth extraction as needed this is carried out under general anesthesia . antibiotics prescribed are normally metronidazole and spiramycin . the reduction of tatar is controlled with dry cat biscuits and insect chitin . This can effect all hedgehog species but most likely the African pygmy hedgehog and Algerian hedgehog.


　

Paralysis in Hedgehogs

This is a debated condition in captive hedgehogs , It is mostly noted in the hind quarters. This is an area where much more investigation is required , it is very likely there is several causes that effect hedgehogs . The condition whs could fall into this category . the main thoughts on the causes of paralysis are though a combination of an unbalanced diet a lack of roughage , neurological disorders that may be passed on through genetics , toxic buildup through substances in the diet. and lack of exercise . In native hedgehogs pesticides built up over time result in the same effects , known substances that are though to cause this are chlorinated hydrocarbons such as HCB, HCH, HCE, DDT, DDE, PCB , and any foods fed to your hedgehog should carefully examined to ensure no such traces are listed on the ingredients list. A balanced diet considering the hedgehogs natural prey should be mirrored where possible , and the inclusion of an exercise wheel and plenty of free time out of the enclosure should all be given to help prevent such conditions . where a hedgehog is know to have suffered from such a condition it would be wise to not not breed from any offspring of the infected animals . There is little that can be done once the hedgehog shows signs of paralysis but administering vitamins notably vitamin B and D and E along with calcium supplements to hog showing signs of week back quarters may help . nandralone laurate at 5mg but also be helpful . until much more is fully understood about hedgehogs this condition will remain somewhat unresolved

Kidney Failure

Kidney Failure is still somewhat not fully understood in hedgehog but is on the increase with the every increasing numbers of hedgehogs now in captivity . usually noticed by passing large amounts of urine and drinking large quantities of water . it is more common in animals of two years and older. if caught in time suggested treatment is a reduced protein diet and antibiotics to treat associated infection . possible causes may be associated with feeding a diet with a protein amount which is artificially high . Keeping the protein content of the staple diet between 30 and 35% should be maintained at all times . If the animal does not survive necropsy should be carried out to confirm diagnosis.

　

Umbilical Hernia

This is quite rare in hedgehog but can happen all the same , it should be something that the breeder looks for and should be noticed before any hogs go to there future homes . it is noted by a small soft swelling on the belly , fat or intestines may protrude into the hernia , if large enough the hernia may drag on the ground and become infected . often the hernia will repair itself but surgical repair under general anesthesia may be required if not . any young should stay with the breeder until the hernia is fully healed . It would be wise to then rehome the affected hoglet as pet only and unsuitable to continue a breeding line.

　

Liver disease

Liver disease is reported as the most common finding on post mortem examination of hedgehogs . usually spontaneous liver rupture id found also diffuse degenerative hepatocytic liposis may be found. The presumed cause of fatty liver is obesity or too rapid weight gain , Toxins building up and causing cell degeneration is also suspected. again incorrect diet is thought to be the main cause supplementation with whole insects is thought to help. but further investigations are required to fully understand what the underlying causes may be