Hedgehog Health: Spotting and Treating Common Diseases and Injuries

Hedgehogs are adorable and fascinating animals that can make great pets for the right owners. However, like any other pet, they require proper care and attention to stay healthy and happy. Hedgehogs can suffer from a variety of health issues, some of which can be prevented or treated at home, while others may require veterinary intervention. In this article, we will discuss some of the most common hedgehog diseases and injuries, how to recognise their signs and symptoms, how to treat them at home or when to seek professional help.

Skin Problems

One of the most common health issues that hedgehogs face is skin problems. These can be caused by various factors, such as parasites, fungal infections, allergies, stress, poor nutrition, or environmental conditions. Some of the signs and symptoms of skin problems include:

• Dry, crusty, flaky, or scaly skin
• Quill loss or breakage
• Scratching, biting, or rubbing the affected area
• Redness, inflammation, or irritation of the skin
• Scabs, sores, or wounds on the skin
• Bald patches or thinning of the fur

Some of the most common causes of skin problems in hedgehogs are:

• Mites: These are tiny parasites that live on the skin and feed on blood. They can cause severe itching, quill loss, scabs, and infections. Mites can be transmitted from other hedgehogs or from bedding materials. To prevent mites, you should keep your hedgehog’s cage clean and avoid contact with other hedgehogs that may be infested. To treat mites, you should consult a veterinarian who can prescribe a topical or oral medication to kill the parasites.
• Ringworm: This is a fungal infection that affects the skin and hair. It can cause circular patches of hair loss, scaling, and redness. Ringworm can be transmitted from other animals or from contaminated objects. To prevent ringworm, you should keep your hedgehog’s cage clean and disinfect any items that may come in contact with your hedgehog. To treat ringworm, you should consult a veterinarian who can prescribe an antifungal medication to apply on the affected area.
• Allergies: These are hypersensitive reactions to certain substances that can cause itching, swelling, hives, or sneezing. Allergies can be triggered by food, bedding materials, detergents, perfumes, or other environmental factors. To prevent allergies, you should avoid exposing your hedgehog to potential allergens and use hypoallergenic products for your hedgehog’s care. To treat allergies, you should consult a veterinarian who can prescribe an antihistamine or a steroid to reduce the inflammation and itching.

Dental Problems

Another common health issue that hedgehogs face is dental problems. These can be caused by various factors, such as poor nutrition, lack of chewing opportunities, trauma, infection, or genetics. Some of the signs and symptoms of dental problems include:

• Bad breath
• Drooling or salivating
• Difficulty eating or chewing
• Weight loss or loss of appetite
• Swelling or bleeding of the gums
• Loose or missing teeth

Some of the most common causes of dental problems in hedgehogs are:

• Dental caries: These are cavities or holes in the teeth that are caused by bacteria that feed on sugar and starch in the food. They can cause pain, infection, tooth loss, and abscesses. To prevent dental caries,
  you should provide your hedgehog with a balanced diet that is low in sugar and high in fiber and protein. You should also provide your hedgehog with chew toys or treats that can help clean their teeth and remove plaque. To treat dental caries,
  you should consult a veterinarian who can perform a dental examination and fill or extract the affected teeth if necessary.
• Gingivitis: This is inflammation of the gums that is caused by plaque buildup on the teeth. It can cause redness, bleeding, and swelling of the gums, and eventually lead to periodontitis, which is a more serious condition that affects the bone and tissue that support the teeth. To prevent gingivitis, you should provide your hedgehog with regular dental check-ups and cleanings by a veterinarian who can remove the plaque and tartar from the teeth and gums. To treat gingivitis, you should consult a veterinarian who can prescribe an anti-inflammatory or an antibiotic to reduce the infection and inflammation.
• Periodontitis: This is a more advanced stage of gum disease that affects the bone and tissue that support the teeth. It can cause pain, infection, tooth loss, and abscesses. Periodontitis can be caused by untreated gingivitis, trauma, or genetics. To prevent periodontitis, you should follow the same preventive measures as for gingivitis and monitor your hedgehog’s dental health closely. To treat periodontitis, you should consult a veterinarian who can perform a dental surgery to remove the diseased tissue and bone and stabilize the remaining teeth.

Respiratory Problems

Another common health issue that hedgehogs face is respiratory problems. These can be caused by various factors, such as viral, bacterial, or fungal infections, allergies, foreign bodies, tumors, or environmental conditions. Some of the signs and symptoms of respiratory problems include:

• Sneezing or coughing
• Nasal or ocular discharge
• Difficulty breathing or wheezing
• Open-mouth breathing or gasping
• Decreased activity or appetite
• Weight loss or dehydration

Some of the most common causes of respiratory problems in hedgehogs are:

• Upper respiratory infections: These are infections that affect the nose, throat, and sinuses. They can be caused by viruses (such as coronavirus or adenovirus), bacteria (such as Pasteurella or Bordetella), or fungi (such as Aspergillus). They can cause sneezing, nasal discharge, congestion, and lethargy. Upper respiratory infections can be transmitted from other hedgehogs or from contaminated objects. To prevent upper respiratory infections, you should keep your hedgehog’s cage clean and avoid contact with other hedgehogs that may be infected. To treat upper respiratory infections, you should consult a veterinarian who can prescribe an appropriate medication to fight the infection and relieve the symptoms. You should also provide your hedgehog with supportive care such as hydration, nutrition, and warmth.
• Lower respiratory infections: These are infections that affect the lungs and bronchi. They can be caused by viruses (such as influenza or parainfluenza), bacteria (such as Mycoplasma or Streptococcus), or fungi (such as Cryptococcus or Blastomyces). They can cause coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, fever, and anorexia. Lower respiratory infections can be transmitted from other animals or from inhalation of contaminated air. To prevent lower respiratory infections, you should keep your hedgehog’s cage clean and well-ventilated and avoid exposing your hedgehog to other animals or people that may have respiratory infections. To treat lower respiratory infections, you should consult a veterinarian who can prescribe an appropriate medication to fight the infection and relieve the symptoms. You should also provide your hedgehog with supportive care such as oxygen therapy, hydration, nutrition, and warmth.

Musculoskeletal Problems

Another common health issue that hedgehogs face is musculoskeletal problems. These can be caused by various factors, such as trauma, infection, arthritis, obesity, or genetics. Some of the signs and symptoms of musculoskeletal problems include:

• Lameness or limping
• Swelling or pain of the joints or limbs
• Difficulty moving or walking
• Hunched posture or curling up
• Decreased activity or appetite
• Weight loss or dehydration

Some of the most common causes of musculoskeletal problems in hedgehogs are:

• Trauma: This can be caused by falls, bites, burns, or other accidents that can injure the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, or nerves. Trauma can cause fractures, sprains, strains, bruises, wounds, or nerve damage. To prevent trauma, you should keep your hedgehog’s cage safe and secure and avoid exposing your hedgehog to other animals or objects that may harm them. To treat trauma, you should consult a veterinarian who can perform a physical examination and diagnostic tests to assess the extent of the injury and provide the appropriate treatment such as splinting, bandaging, suturing, pain relief, or surgery.
• Infection: This can be caused by bacteria, fungi, or parasites that can infect the bones, joints, muscles, or skin. Infection can cause osteomyelitis (bone infection), septic arthritis (joint infection), myositis (muscle infection), or cellulitis (skin infection). Infection can be transmitted from other animals or from contaminated objects. To prevent infection, you should keep your hedgehog’s cage clean and avoid exposing your hedgehog to other animals or objects that may carry infection. To treat infection, you should consult a veterinarian who can prescribe an appropriate medication to fight the infection and relieve the pain and inflammation. You should also provide your hedgehog with supportive care such as hydration, nutrition, and warmth.
• Arthritis: This is inflammation of the joints that can cause pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Arthritis can be caused by aging, trauma, infection, obesity, or genetics. To prevent arthritis, you should provide your hedgehog with a balanced diet that is low in fat and high in fiber and protein. You should also provide your hedgehog with regular exercise and enrichment activities that can keep their joints healthy and flexible. To treat arthritis, you should consult a veterinarian who can prescribe an anti-inflammatory or a pain reliever to reduce the discomfort and inflammation. You should also provide your hedgehog with a comfortable and warm bedding that can cushion their joints.

Conclusion

Hedgehogs are wonderful pets that can bring joy and companionship to their owners. However, they also require proper care and attention to stay healthy and happy. Hedgehogs can suffer from a variety of health issues, some of which can be prevented or treated at home, while others may require veterinary intervention. By being aware of the signs and symptoms of common hedgehog diseases and injuries, you can help your hedgehog live a long and fulfilling life.