African Hedgehog
Diseases

Human Hygiene
Most domestic pets have the potential to spread disease to their human companions. Hedgehogs are no exception. Although disease transmission between hedgehog and human is not common, it can potentially happen with such diseases as salmonellosis and external parasites.
The best prevention for disease transmission is to use good hygiene around hedgehogs, or any other pet for that matter. This means washing your hands thoroughly after handling your pet, particularly before eating. Do not wash hedgehog food and water containers or cages in or near human food preparation areas. If there is anyone in the household that has a weakened immune system, they should not be allowed to clean the hedgehog’s cage or food and water containers. In addition, children should be instructed in the proper handling of the pet and also should not be allowed to clean the cage until they are old enough to understand the responsibility of hand washing afterwards.

You do not need to be afraid of your hedgehog because the likelihood of picking up a disease from a person you are in contact with is far greater than contracting a disease from your pet. The key disease prevention is common sense and consistent hygienic habits around your hedgehog and other pets.

Skin Disease
Skin disease is one of the most common reasons that pet African hedgehogs need to see a veterinarian. Normal hedgehog skin should be smooth with occasional small flakes of dried skin. If you notice heavy flaking, quill loss, hair loss, scabs, redness, ragged or crusted ears or swollen, crusted paws, there is a problem. In addition, some hedgehogs will be scratching themselves constantly. A microscopic sarcoptid mange mite causes the most common skin disease. This parasite lives and breeds on the skin and can be transmitted from hedgehog to hedgehog by direct contact. There is a very small possibility that some humans can also contract this parasite, but primarily it affects hedgehogs. Your veterinarian can diagnose the presence of the parasites by examining a small scraping of skin under the microscope for mites and eggs. The condition is treated with an injectable antiparasitic drug. The injection will be repeated two to four times depending on the severity of the disease. All the hedgehogs in the household should be treated because some may be affected and not be showing signs yet. In addition, it will be necessary to clean the bedding and cages thoroughly because mites can live for brief periods off of the pet. Your veterinarian may recommend that you use a light dusting of a desiccant type product or a mild insecticide around the cage or under the bedding.

Other skin parasites include fleas and ticks. Hedgehogs can be infested with the same fleas and ticks that are found on cats and dogs. A tick should be removed by firmly grasping it as close to its attachment to the skin as possible and pulling it out. He area can be cleaned with a skin disinfectant afterwards. Fleas can be eradicated by using a mild flea shampoo or flea powder that is safe for cats. Avoid getting these products in the hedgehog’s eyes, ears, nose or mouth. Since both fleas and ticks breed and lay eggs off the pet in cracks and crevices around floors and walls, it will be necessary to treat the cage and room also, as well as any other pets in the household that might be infested. Your veterinarian can advise you on the proper eradication techniques. Fleas and ticks can carry infectious diseases, which can be transmitted through their bites. It is unknown at the time of this writing whether the African hedgehog is susceptible to any of these diseases.

If you keep your pet hedgehog outdoors, it can be exposed to fly larvae. One type of fly larvae, known as Cuterebra lays eggs around the cage door, which then adhere to the hedgehog when it rubs up against this area. Each egg hatches into a single, large larva that burrows into the skin and continues to grow. You will see a large lump forming under the skin with a small hole at its tip, which is the larvae breathing hole. Your veterinarian can safely remove these larvae. There is no aftercare needed once the larva is gone and the hole it occupied is flushed with an antiseptic solution.

The other type of fly larvae is known as maggots. If your hedgehog becomes soiled with feces it can attract the adult fly that lays its eggs directly on the hedgehog’s skin. The larvae hatch out in 24 hours and start feeding on the skin immediately. In literally a matter of hours, significant damage can take place. You can remove some of the maggots by washing your pet immediately with copious amounts of warm water and then using hydrogen peroxide on the area and rinsing again. Your pet should be taken to a veterinarian as soon as possible as some maggots may have burrowed deeply under the skin or there may be severe skin damage with the potential for bacterial skin disease to develop.

Hedgehogs can develop fungal disease of the skin. A fungus called Trichophyton mentagrophytes most commonly causes it. This fungus can also affect cats, dogs and humans. The signs of the disease are similar to mange mites, but the hedgehog is usually not “itchy”. The lesions appear mostly around the face and ears with dry, crusty and scaly skin. A veterinarian can make the diagnosis by plucking some affected hair or quills and performing a fungal culture. The treatment may include both topical and oral medications. It is necessary to treat all the hedgehogs that might have had contact with each other. In addition, other household pets should be examined by your veterinarian and may also be treated.

Other skin diseases of the hedgehog include bacterial, allergic and neoplastic (cancer).
© 2004 Midwest Bird and Exotic Animal Hospital