HEDGEHOG
Pornchai Sanyathitiseree
Dept. of medicine

����������� Common species and variations

����������� Behavior
����������� Hedgehog are nocturnal and therefore are active in the evenings.
����������� If they are allowed to run in the house, they tend to hide in corners or under furniture.
����������� Most hedgehogs prefer quiet environments and may react with fright at loud noises.
����������� Many hedgehog dig in carpet or in houseplants and dirt if accessible and will forage for spiders and insects in the home.
����������� They prefer dimmed lighting to bright sunlight or room lights.
����������� They are solitary animals except for mating and usually must be housed seperately even if raised with a same sex littermate.

����������� Diet
����������� Captive diets should be fairly high in proteins and low in fat.
����������� Cat or dog foods alone do not seem to be adequate as the sole diet component.
����������� The diet should be as varied as possible. Hedgehogs will readily take meaty household scraps and thinned petfoods. Chicken carcases , raw or cooked are much appreciated and the bone help to balance the diet and to keep the teeth free of tartar.
����������� To minimize obesity , ad lib feeding of adult hedgehogs should be discouraged.

����������� Housing
����������� Hedgehogs need a smooth-walled enclosure that is high enough to prevent escape.
����������� Aquarium 20 gallon or larger are acceptable.
����������� Enclosures made of wire should be avoided in order to prevent their feet from being caught.
����������� Prefered bedding is newspaper or recycled pelleted/absorbable material.
����������� Although hedgehogs do not play with toys as do other small mammals , they will use an exercise wheel that is hung from the top of the enclosure or mounted.
����������� A pan or shallow tub(warm water , warm ambient temperature) may be provided for swimming. For bathing , use Mycodex shampoo is a soothing post-mite therapy.

����������� Preventive care
����������� Prevent obesity. Have owners weight hedgehog at least monthly.
����������� Dental prophylaxis
����������� Nails need periodic trimming.
����������� Prevent chilling;provide heated environment with dry bedding.

����������� Sexing
����������� Males have mid ventral penis. Testicles are abdominal.

����������� Common clinical conditions in Hedgehogs

����������� Rule out chart for Hedgehog on clinical signs
�Clinical signs� Differential diagnosis�
Anorexia Dental disease Gastrointestinal or parasites Fatty liver Neoplasia Pneumonia Chilling Behavioral( - mating distraction diet change husbandary change)
�Diarrhea Gastrointestinal disease Parasite Fatty liver Dietary change
Flaky / scaly skin , Broken quills� Saecoptes mange mite Ixodid ticks Flea Flea allergic dermatitis Fungal , bacterial dermatitis�
Hypersalivation Anting behaviour : response to novel taste or substance Defensive behaviour Dental disease Oral neoplasia Nauseas ( GI disease )�
Lacerations , Wounds� Fighting when housed with other Injures Environmental
�Lumps , masses , Swelling Neoplasia ( Squamous cell carcinoma fibroma , etc. )�
Reluctance to move , Lameness� Debilitating systemic disease Geriatic change Chilling Obesity Neoplasia Overgrowth toenail Pododermatitis Fracture Luxation Nutrient deficiency
Respiratory signs Snuffles , sneezing congestion� Defensive behavior vocalisation Pneumonia Rhinitis Sinusitis Foreign body inhalation�
Sudden death� Fatty liver Cardiomyopathy Shock Pneumonia
Weight gain� Over eating Pregnancy Neoplasia Lack of exercise
Weight loss Neoplasia Anorexia Pain Chronic debilitating systemic disease Diet change and reluctant to eat novel food or poor diet Environmental�
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