Hedgehogs

Question 1

Hedgehogs belong to the class Mammalia, order ____ and family ___

Answer 1

Order Eulipotyphla

Family Erinaceinae

Question 2

True or false

Hedgehogs are nocturnal

Answer 2

True

Question 3

What type of eaters are hedgehogs

Answer 3

Omnivores but mostly insectivores

Question 4

Describe a male hedgehogs scrotal sac

Answer 4

No scrotal sac, testes are housed in a perianal recess surrounded in fat

Question 5

Hedgehogs are very sensitive to

Answer 5

Smell and sound

Question 6

True or false

Hedgehogs have great vision

Answer 6

FALSE

very poor vision

Question 7

Describe the dermal layer of hedgehogs under the spiny skin

Answer 7

Thick and fibrous

Lots of fat, few blood vessels (very slow absorption of SQ injections)

Question 8

What is self anointing (anting) in hedgehogs

Answer 8

Frothy saliva rubbed over the spines

Often in response to a strong odour or new smell/taste

They lick and hypersalivate resulting is a white froth to cover their spines

Question 9

What is the average lifespan of a hedgehog

Answer 9

4-6 years

Question 10

Describe tumors seen in hedgehogs

Answer 10

Common (30%)

Many system often affected (oral squamous cell carcinoma, mammary tumors, uterine tumors, mast cell tumors etc)

Question 11

What is wobbly hedgehog syndrome

Answer 11

Progressive paresis/paralysis starting at the hind end

Thought to be genetic

Axonal and spinal cord degeneration

No treatment

Question 12

Describe mites seen in hedgehogs

Answer 12

Common in young animals

In older animals with new appearance of mites, look for underlying disease causing immunosuppression

Question 13

Describe trauma often seen in the feet and legs of hedge hogs

Answer 13

Often get strings/hair/dental floss etc wrapped around the feet or legs

Anesthetize to remove

If severe may require amputation

Question 14

True or false

Hedgehogs are nocturnal

Answer 14

True

Question 15

True or false

Hedgehogs are social groups animals

Answer 15

False

They are solitary animals

Question 16

What is “popcorning”

Answer 16

Curl into a tight ball and hiss when upset

Question 17

Hedgehogs are not typically social animals, what can be done to increase their Tolerance to handling

Answer 17

Handling from a young age and very often

Question 18

Why do hedgehogs have a high fall risk

Answer 18

Very poor eye sight and depth perception

Question 19

True or false

Hedgehogs are not known for chewing on things

Answer 19

True

Question 20

Describe housing husbandry needs for hedgehogs

Answer 20

Solid floors and sides (good climbers but high fall risk)

Provide a large floor space (if space is too small it will cause behavioural issues -weaving, compulsive pacing, endless perimeter laps)

Exercise wheels (ensure solid and maintains physical and mental health and weight control)

Substrate: aspen shavings or recycled paper products

Provide multiple hiding homes And different tubes, boxes and cloths

Use a water bottle

Keep enclosure away from direct sunlight, AC units and heating vents (too hot they will estivate)

Question 21

Hedgehogs do not hibernate but what happens in colder temperatures

Answer 21

Become less active

Can die if left in cold temperatures for too long

May need a heat source in the cage

Question 22

Describe handling of hedgehogs, what are some ways you can get them to unroll?

Answer 22

Will stay curled up until there is no perception of danger

Wear leather gloves and or use folded towel to protect hands

Use food to encourage unrolling (stroking spines caudally may help them relax)

Curl tighter with noise so keep in a quiet area

Patience is key (never force them open)

When they do unroll, you can scruff them or insert fingers at their shoulders and wrap them underneath behind for legs to prevent rolling

Can try and place in a small amount of water (never leave unattended they can drown)

Sometimes do require GA to unroll/restrain them

Question 23

Describe general anesthesia of hedgehogs

Answer 23

Mask or chamber

Can us an ET tube of 2mm or less or 14G catheter (without stylet)

Hypothermia is a risk so provide heat

Question 24

Describe giving medications/injections to hedgehogs

Answer 24

SQ: give in right side below the spine layer (avoid accidental penetration of spleen or kidney on lower right side)

Spine layer has slow absorption (thick fat with little blood supply)

IM: use quadriceps

PO: mix with favourite food, inject into prey item, mix with juice (careful with flavours to avoid anointing)

Question 25

Describe blood collection from hedgehogs

Answer 25

Jugular vein: hard to visualize but anatomically similar to other SA

vena cava: requires sedation (heart is more cranial than other species)

Peripherals are difficult due to short legs

Use a 25G needle with tuberculin syringe to prevent laceration or collapse

Pre-heparinize the syringe to prevent clotting

Question 26

Radiographs require

Answer 26

General anesthesia and positioning aids