What are early signs of wobbly hedgehog syndrome?
Symptoms of Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome
- Falling over.
- Muscle weakness.
- Difficulty walking.
- Wobbling when standing still.
- Paralysis.
- Seizures.
- Head tilt.
- Circling.
What does wobbly hedgehog syndrome look like?
Males and females are equally affected. It often starts with ataxia (loss of full control) or paresis (muscular weakness caused by nerve damage or disease) in the hind legs. This is most evident initially by the “wobble” the hedgehog has when it is trying to stand still.
How fast does wobbly hedgehog syndrome progress?
The onset of WHS commonly occurs under 2 years of age, but can occur at any age. Progression rate is variable, and the majority of hedgehogs are completely paralyzed by 15 months after the onset of clinical signs.
What are the signs symptoms of an ill hedgehog?
“As is true with many hedgehog diseases, clinical signs may not be specific for cancer and simply include weight loss, lack of appetite and lethargy.” Respiratory diseases, especially pneumonia, are often seen in pet hedgehogs. Symptoms may include nasal discharge, sneezing, and difficulty in breathing.
Why does my hedgehog keep falling over?
Neurological Diseases Commonly referred to as “wobbly hedgehog syndrome,” hedgehogs can develop a neurological disease that causes them to, well – wobble. Ataxia progresses to falling over, being unable to right themselves, seizures, and eventually paralysis with many other symptoms in between.
How do you treat wobbly hedgehog syndrome?
Treatment for WHS is supportive care; helping the hedgehog remain upright using towels, making food and water easier to access or hand feeding, and cleaning after the hedgehog as soiled itself. There is no cure for WHS. Prognosis is grave and euthanasia is recommended when quality of life is poor.
What to do with a dying hedgehog?
Gently cover the hedgehog with an old towel or fleece to make it feel more secure and offer some meaty cat or dog food and water. Once you have the hedgehog settled somewhere quiet indoors, call the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) on 01584 890 801.
What do you do if you find a hedgehog in the day?
Generally, any hedgehog out during the day is probably in trouble and will need to be picked up and taken to a wildlife rescue centre. You can pick them up using gardening gloves and put them into a cardboard box, although they are good climbers, so you would need to ensure it cannot escape.
Why is my hedgehog hissing at me?
When a hedgehog hisses, it means he is really annoyed and wants you, other hogs or other animals to clear off. Hedgehogs will often make the hissing noise if their nest is disturbed or if they are cornered or approached by a predator.
How do you rehydrate a hedgehog?
Make sure there is room for the hog to get off the heat if it gets too warm. You can also give them a small bowl of water. The National Recipe for rehydration solution is 1 litre of warm water mixed with a tablespoon of sugar and a teaspoon of salt.
Why would a hedgehog be out in the daytime?
What kind of disease does a wobbly hedgehog have?
Wobbly hedgehog syndrome (WHS) is a leading cause of neurologic disease in African pygmy hedgehogs (APHs; Atelerix albiventris). This study describes the signalment, clinical signs, gross, microscopic, and ultrastructural lesions of WHS in a cohort of 12 pet APHs. Microscopically, lesions consisted …
How to take care of a wobbly hedgehog?
Treatment And Care 1 Take Them To The Vet. The first and most important thing that should be done if you suspect wobbly hedgehog syndrome is to schedule a trip to the vet. 2 Add Some Vitamin E. 3 Make Sure They’re Warm. 4 Give Them Rubs. 5 Make Their Environment Extra Comfortable.
Why does my African hedgehog wobble when standing?
One of the things you’ll notice if an African pygmy hedgehog has WHS is they might start to wobble (even when standing still). This is because the disease is attacking the neurological connection between their brain and muscles. It will start at the hind legs and slowly work its way up to the front of the body over time.
What happens when a hedgehog drags its legs?
At first, the hedgehog might wobble or even drag its legs when trying to stand or move around. After a while, this loss of control will hit the front of the body and their mobility will be severely impacted, rendering them quadriplegic. Due to the loss of motor control, their muscles will begin to atrophy.