African Hedgehog
Medication Techniques
There is no doubt about it, hedgehogs can be a challenge to medicate! With their ability to roll up into a ball, it can become impossible to give medications by mouth or into the eyes or ears. In addition, a hedgehog may become shy around you if it has an unpleasant experience with medicating.
Injectable medications are often preferable to oral medications because they can be given even when the hedgehog is in a ball. In addition, the pet can’t see who is giving the medication and you may be spared its shyness later on. Hedgehogs have a large amount of space under the skin that can accept a variety of medications and injectable fluids that might be given if the pet is dehydrated. Hedgehogs tolerate injections fairly well, but may occasionally “pop” or jump when you first try to give the injection. Your veterinarian will show you the proper way to use and dispose of needles, syringes and injectable medications.

Oral medications are best given by masking them with a pleasant taste and getting the hedgehog to take them on its own. Check with your veterinarian before using any of these products to make sure there is no potential reaction with the medication(s) you are using. Hedgehogs have a sweet tooth and some favorite flavors include chocolate (use imitation chocolate flavoring), banana, vanilla and cherry. In addition, some hedgehogs will accept medications if they are mixed with strained meat human baby foods such as chicken or turkey, or canned cat or dog food. Try some of these flavors or experiment with others (with the permission of your veterinarian) without the medication at first, and when an acceptable taste is discovered, mix one part medication with three parts flavoring and try again. Do not give medications mixed with a whole bowl of the regular diet because you cannot be sure your pet will get the entire dose and your pet may reject its food all together in the future if it doesn’t like the medication taste.

Some hedgehogs can be scruffed in order to administer oral, eye or ear medications. It is helpful to use a pair of lightweight latex gloves (often found in hardware stores), which will provide better traction when grasping the quills. Grasp the section of skin and quills between and slightly behind the ears while the pet is in a normal standing position. (This method will not work if the pet is already rolled up in a ball.) Lift the hedgehog up off the table so its hindquarters are suspended. Initially your pet will try to roll up into a ball, but it is very difficult to maintain a balled position because the scruff hold is preventing it. Eventually the hedgehog will relax the back legs and you will have access to the mouth, the eyes and the ears.

It can be challenging to medicate hedgehog eyes and ears without the scruff hold in the docile hedgehog and impossible if the pet is shy. Ask your veterinarian to provide eye or ear medication in a drop formula rather then in ointment because drops are easier to administer and less messy for the pet. To medicate the ears, wait until the pet is in a normal standing position, get as close to the head as possible without eliciting a defensive reaction and drop the medication directly into the ear canal. If you touch the sensitive facial hairs or ears your pet will pull its quills over its face and you will then have to wait until it is relaxed again. The same method is used for eye medication, dropping it from above where it is more difficult for the hedgehog to see it coming. Make sure both eye and ear medications are at room temperature before administering them to minimize discomfort to your pet.

When applying medication to skin lesions, be aware of two potential dangers. The first danger is that if the hedgehog licks the medication and swallows it, the drug can be absorbed through the intestinal tract into the body. In very tiny amounts, this may not be a problem, but if you apply large “globs” of material, it could potentially lead to a serious toxicity. Secondly, if the hedgehog really likes the taste of the ointment, it may be so vigorous about eating it that it literally mutilates the skin underneath. Watch for signs that the pet is chewing at its skin. If this becomes apparent, notify your veterinarian immediately and wash the medication from the skin. It may be necessary for your veterinarian to change medications or apply a restraint device to prevent the hedgehog from reaching the affected area.

After each medication, spend some quiet time with your hedgehog. You may notice your pet anointing itself, probably trying to get rid of the taste or smell of the medication. Allow your pet to relax and investigate you, and talk to it in quiet tones. If there is a favorite treat food, such as a mealworm, this should be given as a “reward” for being such a good patient. All attempts at making the medication experience as non-stressful as possible will pay off in the end with a pet that doesn’t become “medication shy” around you.
© 2004 Midwest Bird and Exotic Animal Hospital