How do you know if a hedgehog is dehydrated?
Does its skin spring back when you pull up a couple of spines? If the skin appears to stay in place, the hedgehog could be dehydrated. Ensure the hedgehog has access to plenty of water if you suspect dehydration.
What does a sick hedgehog look like?
“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.
What food items should be included in a diet of a hedgehog?
Apples, bananas, berries, and melons are popular choices among hedgehogs. Vegetables: Fresh tomatoes, fresh green beans, and cooked squash are some options that your hedgehog may enjoy. Starchy vegetables, such as corn, potatoes, and carrots should be avoided as well as dried vegetables.
What can you give a sick 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.
How do you nurse a hedgehog back to health?
Handling and care Keep the box in a quiet, warm place: a hot water bottle filled with hot tap water wrapped in a towel can provide a gentle heat source – make sure it doesn’t go cold! You can provide some fresh water and meaty cat or dog food, but don’t try to feed the hedgehog directly.
How do you help a poorly hedgehog?
If the hedgehog is injured, lifeless or screaming:
- Phone or take the animal to your nearest rescue or vet immediately. If one place doesn’t answer the phone, call another, time is of the essence.
- Any local vet should take the animal and treat it under their RCVS Code of Practice.
- The RSPCA.
How do you know if a hedgehog needs help?
However if you find a hedgehog staggering around, lying still (not in a nest), with flies around it or obviously sick or injured be it day or night, it needs urgent help. Sick, injured and orphaned hedgehogs are very susceptible to hypothermia.
What does it mean when a hedgehog wobbles?
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.
What causes a hedgehog to be wobbly?
Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome (WHS) is a degenerative neurologic condition that can occur in African Pygmy Hedgehogs (aka Four-toed hedgehogs). The cause is unknown, but is believed to be genetic. This condition causes demyelination, where the protective coating of nerve cells experience damage.
How much should a hedgehog eat a day?
The right quantity of food along with enough exercise is the key to keeping your hedgehog at an optimal weight. Hedgies require about 70 to 100 calories a day which isn’t all that much. Roughly, depending on the specific calorie content of the food offered, this would break down to about 1 to 3 Tablespoons per day.
What should you not feed hedgehogs?
Feeding hedgehogs Leave out foods like tinned dog or cat food and cat biscuits or crushed dog biscuits. Good quality, meaty specialist hedgehog food can be bought from wildlife food suppliers. Never feed hedgehogs milk as it can cause diarrhoea; instead provide plain, fresh water in a shallow bowl.