Weight loss, loose or reduced stools and reduced or bloody urine also can indicate your
Common conditions of pet hedgehogs include internal and external parasites, ringworm, cancer, pneumonia, gastrointestinal disease, and obesity. Signs of illness or disease are often vague and non-specific, such as lack of appetite and lethargy.
You can provide some fresh water and meaty cat or dog food, but don't try to feed the hedgehog directly.
Many hedgehog illnesses and diseases are caused by environmental factors (such as pathogens and diet), or are inherited (through poor genes). Weighing and recording your hedgehog's weight weekly helps you recognize any changes that may signal an illness. Information Disclaimer: We are not exotic pet veterinarians.
Hedgehogs easily develop respiratory infections, especially when they are young. For example, bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, are common. Signs of a respiratory infection might include sneezing, a runny or crusty nose and eyes, and raspy breathing, wheezing or coughing.
Weight loss, loose or reduced stools and reduced or bloody urine also can indicate your hedgehog is under the weather. Other signs of a sick hedgehog include lethargy, panting or labored breathing, a dull expression, discharge from the nose or eyes, sneezing, coughing and paralysis.
However if you find a hedgehog staggering around, lying still (not in a nest), with flies around it or obviously sick or injured be it day or night, it needs urgent help. Sick, injured and orphaned hedgehogs are very susceptible to hypothermia.
A Quick Guide to Hedgehog Noises:
Grunting and snuffling, like a pig = hedgehog out and about, looking for food. Chuffing like a steam train = mating season. Chirping like a baby bird = hungry hoglets in the nest. Screaming Hedgehog = in pain and distress.
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.
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.
Speak softly and be gentle with him. Avoid surprising a hedgehog, approach him slowly and quietly. It is best to pick him up gently with two cupped hands from underneath where his fur is soft. They sometimes roll into a ball when picked up, but if you hold him and are patient, he will unroll and sniff around.
Plain fresh water is all that is required for them. Sadly, this mixture can be lethal for birds if they bathe in it as the sugar will cause problems with their feathers. Please do offer plain water in shallow bowls in the garden for thirsty hedgehogs but do not add anything else to it.
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. Giving a hedgehog dried food, or any food when they are suffering from this condition can worsen the situation.
Many hedgehogs are busy and want to try to explore but a stressed hedgehog will be much more persistent and not easily distracted. 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.”
Hedgehogs perform a very strange behavior, called “self-anointing.” This mainly occurs when they encounter a smell they are unfamiliar with, which may be particularly strong or noxious.
Cause – Change in Environment or Routine
It is not uncommon for hedgehogs to skip their first meal or two, in their new home. Sometimes hedgehogs are just too busy sleeping, exploring, or running on the wheel, to take the time to eat.
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.
A hedgehog lying flat who is cold and still is much more likely to be dead.
Wobbly hedgehog syndrome is a rather unpleasant degenerative neurological disorder that affects hedgehogs specifically. As of right now, there is no cure. At its core, WHS has a lot in common with multiple sclerosis that presents in humans. However, the exact cause of wobbly hedgehog syndrome is not clear.
Depression. Without room, a hedgehog will show signs of depression, such as excessive sleeping, refusal to eat, repetitious behaviour, and self mutilation.
Wobbly hedgehog syndrome (WHS), sometimes referred to as progressive paresis/paralysis, is a progressive degenerative neurological disease of African and European hedgehogs. It has been noted with increasing frequency since the mid-1990s.
In the over 3,000 hedgehogs we treat each year, we have seen vast increase in the numbers of hedgehogs suffering from both intestinal flukes and thorny headed worms. These invasive parasites can cause pain, lesions, internal bleeding, infections, rapid weight loss, anaemia and may rapidly lead to the hedgehog dying.
However, you should try to use gloves when handling a hedgehog for your own health and safety. Hedgehogs can bite you, but very rarely will that happen. This usually happens when they are young and think your fingers are going to feed them (if they have been fed via a syringe as they had no mother).
Keller says, “With appropriate care and keeping, your hedgehog will live about five years, and some even live longer than eight years.” If you have any questions about hedgehogs, contact your local veterinarian.