Hedgehogs Flashcards
What indicates pregnancy in a breeding female hedgehog?
Weight gain of 50g within 3 weeks
What is the gestation length for hedgehogs?
34-37 days
Why should pregnant female hedgehogs be isolated/undisturbed before parturition (and 5-10 days after)?
Decrease the risk of cannibalism by the male (or dam)
How many hoglets are in typically hedgehog litters?
3-5 avg (1-7 range)
Are hedgehogs born precocial or altricial?
Altricial
Which is not a potential risk of hand-rearing hoglets?
A) Aspiration pneumonia
B) Weakened immune system
C) Too rapid weight gain
C) Too rapid weight gain is not a risk
At what temperature should hoglets be kept until 3 weeks of age?
90-95*F
What can be used as formula for hand-rearing hedgehogs?
Esbilac with small amount of lactose-digesting product
At what age are hoglets weaned?
4-6 weeks
What is the most significant marker for appropriate growth in hoglets?
Weight gain
Which is not a common sign of dermatologic disease in hedgehogs?
A) New spine growth
B) Pruritus
C) Crusting
A) is NOT - spine loss is common
What is the disk-shaped protuberance at the base of the spine in hedgehogs called?
A) Spinous process
B) Basal bulb
C) Spinous bulb
B) Basal bulb
Which should not be utilized to collect mites from the skin/spines of hedgehogs for analysis?
A) A toothbrush
B) CTA with mineral oil
C) Deep skin scrape
C) The skin over the mantle is thin, so while skin scrapes can/may need to be done, they should be done very cautiously
What is the most common mite species affecting hedgehogs and how can they be identified?
Caparinia tripilis; 3 setae on 3rd pair of legs
What is the most common dermatophyte reported in captive hedgehogs?
A) Trichophyton erinacei
B) Microsporum canis
C) Trichophyton verrucosum
A) Trichophyton erinacie
Which of the following is false regarding neoplasia in captive hedgehogs?
A) Mammary gland tumors are common, and are mostly benign
B) Epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma has been reported causing spine loss, alopecia, and multifocal crust formation
C) Squamous cell carcinoma is reported causing ulcerated, exudative, nodular lesions
A - common, but typically malignant
What diagnostic tests should be prioritized in hedgehogs with spine loss and/or scale/crust buildup?
Skin cytology and dermatophyte culture
What often occurs concurrently with heavy mite infestations in hedgehogs?
Significant fungal infections
What is a likely reason mite infestation is so common in pet hedgehogs?
Subclinical infections are present and in stressful situations, the host-parasite relationship becomes imbalanced and parasite levels increase
Which of the following is false regarding Caparinia infestation in hedgehogs?
A) Subclinical infections and direct life cycle of the mite likely contribute to commonality of the disease
B) Caparinia mites are implicated in the spread of dermatophyte infections in hedgehogs
C) While animals with acariasis are pruritic, this disease process rarely causes severe disease or fatality
C) severe infestation can result in infections, self-trauma, poor BCS and death
What histopathologic lesions are associated with wobbly hedgehog syndrome?
Spongy myelinopathy with gross vacuolization and demyelination
What is the most commonly reported brain neoplasm in hedgehogs?
Astrocytoma
What is a potentially underreported differential for Wobbly Hedgehog syndrome?
Central brain neoplasms (astrocytoma most common)
What is the most likely diagnosis for 4 year old hedgehog presenting with rapidly progressive ataxia and urine retention?
Central brain neoplasia
(WHS <2 yrs of age, typically don’t have urine retention/anuria)
Which species/serotypes of Salmonella have been reported in pet African pygmy hedgehogs?
S. typhimurium, S. tilene, S. enterica serovar stanley
An African pygmy hedgehog owner in the US developed diarrhea, pyrexia, nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps for 4 days. What is the likely zoonotic pathogen?
A. Salmonella typhimurium
B. Campylobacter jejuni
C. Salmonella enteritidis
A. Salmonella typhimurium
B distractor; C - in wild euro hedgehogs
How is salmonella diagnosed in hedgehogs?
Fecal culture using selective agar media and Salmonella-enriching media
What are the 3 most common tumors in hedgehogs?
Mammary gland adenocarcinoma, lymphosarcoma, oral SCC (#1)
What is the primary risk factor for neoplasms in hedgehogs?
Age
What is the general prognosis for neoplasia in African hedgehogs?
Usually malignant w/a poor prognosis
How are uterine tumors typically classified in hedgehogs?
Histologically low grade w/rare metastasis
What is the prevalence of wobbly hedgehog syndrome in North America?
Approximately 10%
What signalment is most likely to have cardiac disease among hedgehogs?
Geriatric males
What echocardiogram finding has been found in hedgehogs reported as consistent with cardiac dysfunction?
Fractional shortening of less than 25%
What 3 organisms are responsible for respiratory infection in hedgehogs?
Bordetella bronchiseptica
Pasteurella multocida
Corynebacterium spp.
What system had more lesions in African hedgehog necropsies than any other?
Digestive system (mostly inflammatory and degenerative, 7% neoplastic)
What is the other primary differential for swellings/inflammation in the oral cavity besides neoplasia?
Periodontal dz/dental infection/gingival hyperplasia
Diseases of what system are the most prevalent health disorders of African hedgehogs?
Diseases of the integument (66% of patients)
What can insect-only diets in hedgehogs cause?
Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism
What can cause green discoloration of hedgehog stool?
Overexcretion of bile into stool secondary to decreased food intake
What vitamins/minerals can potentially slow progression of wobbly hedgehog syndrome?
Vitamin E/selenium
Vitamin B
Calcium glubionate
What test should be performed with protracted diarrhea or with bloody stools in hedgehogs and why?
Aerobic/anaerobic culture of feces
Checking for Clostridium perfringens
What ultrasound finding is suggestive of hepatic lipidosis in hedgehogs?
Homogenous hyperechoic hepatic parenchyma compared to falciform fat and spleen
What can lead toxicity cause in hedgehogs?
Megaesophagus
What clinical signs can be seen due to CKD and subsequent uremic encephalopathy in hedgehogs?
General malaise, head pressing
How can mammary adenocarcinoma be described in hedgehogs?
Malignant, locally invasive, frequently metastasizing to lymph nodes
