Hedgehogs Flashcards
Hedgehogs belong to the class Mammalia, order ____ and family ___
Order Eulipotyphla
Family Erinaceinae
True or false
Hedgehogs are nocturnal
True
What type of eaters are hedgehogs
Omnivores but mostly insectivores
Describe a male hedgehogs scrotal sac
No scrotal sac, testes are housed in a perianal recess surrounded in fat
Hedgehogs are very sensitive to
Smell and sound
True or false
Hedgehogs have great vision
FALSE
very poor vision
Describe the dermal layer of hedgehogs under the spiny skin
Thick and fibrous
Lots of fat, few blood vessels (very slow absorption of SQ injections)
What is self anointing (anting) in hedgehogs
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
What is the average lifespan of a hedgehog
4-6 years
Describe tumors seen in hedgehogs
Common (30%)
Many system often affected (oral squamous cell carcinoma, mammary tumors, uterine tumors, mast cell tumors etc)
What is wobbly hedgehog syndrome
Progressive paresis/paralysis starting at the hind end
Thought to be genetic
Axonal and spinal cord degeneration
No treatment
Describe mites seen in hedgehogs
Common in young animals
In older animals with new appearance of mites, look for underlying disease causing immunosuppression
Describe trauma often seen in the feet and legs of hedge hogs
Often get strings/hair/dental floss etc wrapped around the feet or legs
Anesthetize to remove
If severe may require amputation
True or false
Hedgehogs are nocturnal
True
True or false
Hedgehogs are social groups animals
False
They are solitary animals
What is “popcorning”
Curl into a tight ball and hiss when upset
Hedgehogs are not typically social animals, what can be done to increase their Tolerance to handling
Handling from a young age and very often
Why do hedgehogs have a high fall risk
Very poor eye sight and depth perception
True or false
Hedgehogs are not known for chewing on things
True
Describe housing husbandry needs for hedgehogs
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)
Hedgehogs do not hibernate but what happens in colder temperatures
Become less active
Can die if left in cold temperatures for too long
May need a heat source in the cage
Describe handling of hedgehogs, what are some ways you can get them to unroll?
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
Describe general anesthesia of hedgehogs
Mask or chamber
Can us an ET tube of 2mm or less or 14G catheter (without stylet)
Hypothermia is a risk so provide heat
Describe giving medications/injections to hedgehogs
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)
Describe blood collection from hedgehogs
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
Radiographs require
General anesthesia and positioning aids
