African Hedgehog
African hedgehogs are remarkably hearty pets considering the short amount of time they have been maintained in captivity and how much there is still to learn about their captive dietary requirements. However, you may be faced with a situation where your pet needs medical attention. It is advisable to find a veterinarian who will be willing to treat your unusual pet before an emergency arises.
Emergency Care
If you have an emergency with your hedgehog, there are a few things you can do for your pet until you can get to a veterinary clinic. Always transport an ill hedgehog in a small secure container that can be kept warm, particularly in cold climates. If an ill hedgehog becomes chilled, it can lead to serious and potentially fatal complications. A hot water bottle or any of the chemical hand warmers can be placed under a soft towel in the bottom of the container to keep the pet warm. Make sure the lid of the container is perforated for ventilation. When the weather is cold, warm up the car before placing the hedgehog in it.

If your pet is bleeding, put firm pressure on the area to slow or stop the flow of blood. Apply undiluted hydrogen peroxide, styptic powder, flour or cornstarch to a small wound or bleeding nail to slow or stop the bleeding. Do not use powdered products on large open wounds. Bandaging is difficult in the hedgehog, but if there is a large wound on the body that needs to be covered, gauze or Telfa pads may be held in place by slipping a small section of a sock over the body, from front to back like a tube. The quills will help to keep it in place and it can be easily cut off at the veterinarian’s office. If there is bleeding from the nose or mouth, do not apply pressure to the face, but rather keep the hedgehog quiet in a small dark box to minimize movement and get medical attention immediately.

If your pet is experiencing severe diarrhea or is vomiting, remove all food and offer only small amounts of water. Save samples of vomit or stool in a zip lock bag so your veterinarian can examine them. These samples will keep for two to six hours, particularly if they are kept cool. Do not store these samples anywhere near human food supplies. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling your pet. You can check your pet for dehydration by pulling up on a small section of quills over the back, letting go and seeing how quickly the skin returns to its normal place. Normal hedgehog skin will go back into its normal position immediately, whereas dehydrated hedgehog skin will slowly regain its normal position over several seconds. You may offer a warmed pediatric oral electrolyte solution (such as is found in most grocery stores in the baby food section) or a small amount of honey in warm water orally. Use an eyedropper or syringe, hold the hedgehog so that the head is elevated, but the pet is not completely on its back, and slowly push the fluid into the mouth. Give only as much as the hedgehog will take willingly and allow it to swallow before giving more. If your pet vomits within a few minutes discontinue oral fluids immediately. Hedgehogs that are having severe diarrhea or are vomiting need immediate medical attention.

If your hedgehog is weak or is unable to move, it may be in severe shock caused by a variety of conditions (such as heat stroke, liver or kidney failure, septicemia, severe dehydration, intestinal blockage, etc.) or may be suffering from a neurological disease or a fractured limb. Handle your pet as little as possible in case there is an injury to the spine and to reduce further stress. Slide the hedgehog onto a piece of firm cardboard or thin wood to transport it to a small box padded with soft towels. Place a heating pad, hot water bottle or chemical hand warmer underneath the towels to provide heat. Get your pet to a veterinarian immediately.

Occasionally a hedgehog that is acting sluggish is simply suffering from hypothermia (low body temperature) due to an environmental temperature that is too low. If you warm up your pet as described previously, it should respond within an hour or two and become much more lively and want to get out of the box. If your pet becomes livelier, but still does not return to all of its normal activities, a veterinarian should still see it.
© 2004 Midwest Bird and Exotic Animal Hospital