The NastiesThe accommodating hedgehog naturally suffers from a variety of parasites both "endo" (inside) picked up from slugs, snails and worms and "ecto" (outside) like fleas, ticks and mites. This is normal and causes no problem for a healthy hedgehog and it enables the parasites to complete their lifecycle. Unfortunately, in return for his generosity, these short stay guests often repay their host by outstaying their welcome, with some internal nasties migrating into the lungs. For a hedgehog that is already struggling, this extra burden can be life threatening. Treatment for each is a carefully measured dose of a specific wormer with an antibiotic cover and as a precaution we treat all hedgehogs coming into care for a range of parasites.
Endoparasites
- Lungworm and fluke picked up from slugs and snails.
- Intestinal worms picked up from earthworms.
Symptoms can include not eating, weight loss, loose smelly faeces or hyperactivity in the case of fluke. A dry rasping cough often accompanies lungworm, but not always, to beware this silent killer. A vet can make a diagnosis.
Ectoparasites[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] 60 ticks were plucked from "Tic toc" and not surprisingly he was very dehydrated. A fractured hind leg had prevented natural grooming.
Fleas. "and what about the fleas" is the most asked question after giving a talk. If fleas were the only problem we had to deal with, how easy it would be! Hedgehog fleas are host specific and will not breed on any other animal. It is normal for him to carry a few fleas although we often see none on ours.
Never spray a hedgehog with a cat or dog flea spray. The toxins are far too strong and could kill the hedgehog along with the fleas. If necessary we use a pyrethrum based product like Johnsons Ridmite - just a sprinkle on the back of his neck and "goodbye fleas".
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Another successful removal with a tick lasso..
Ticks look like grey pea shaped lumps often found in great numbers around the ears and eyes. They will eventually drop off when they have had sufficient blood but too many can cause dehydration.
Do NOT remove ticks by coating with oil as this is now thought to be detrimental to the hedgehog in that the tick could regurgitate its contents back into the hedgehog and therefore pass on bacterial infections. Ticks should be removed using purpose made tick removers by hedgehog carers
Mites are tiny microscopic arachnids often seen in huge numbers around the face and can appear like a covering of thick dust. They can cause scabby/bare patches and we have noticed that they are often worse on hedgehogs that are unable to groom themselves properly due to being ill or with a injured hind leg when the problem is often worse on the side of the injury. A safe and kind treatment is to wash away the majority using a soft brush and Johnson's baby shampoo which will not hurt the eyes, followed by a warm blow dry and a carefully calculated course of Ivomec.
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With eyes, ears and face all gummed up with mites, Dusty must have felt awful.
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With millions of mites all shampooed away a bleary eyed Dusty can see once more. Hope he feels better.
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Other Problems Which Will Need Expert Help[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] "Lucky" upon arrival with "no eyes" due to dehydration, and fly strike above his eye caused by lying out during the day. Lucky for him he was noticed in time.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Rotting weeds in an old tarpaulin had made a cosy nest for this little family. As it was in a safe, sheltered area, everything was replaced and food and water left each night for them.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] "Goalie" was entangled in a child's football net and was rescued the next day.
Flystrike
Often found on hedgehogs lying out in the sun, and especially around wounds and moist areas of the body. Fly eggs look like clumps of tiny grains of rice and each has to be picked off immediately before they turn into dreaded maggots.
"No Eyes"/Staggering
Both symptoms of dehydration, the eyes are there but shrunk back into the eye sockets. Hedgehog will need special rehydrating fluids either orally or subcutaneous if very weak. While awaiting help, International Rehydrating Fluid can be made by mixing 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of salt in 2 pints of warm water and offering in a low non tip pot.
Maggots
No easy way, each has to be picked off with blunt ended tweezers and flushed out of wounds.
Ringworm
Not a worm at all but a fungus infection which often looks like a covering of grey ash and is easily treated with a special fungicide.
Disturbed Nests
DO NOT TOUCH THE BABIES!Replace everything as it was and protect from further disturbance and weather. Check the surrounding area carefully for any escaped babies.
Wounds
Best left to the experts.
Ligatures (Netting etc.)
Cut away if you can but do not release him. The ligature may have caused the flesh to die off under the skin (pressure necrosis), and the hedgehog will need to come into care for two weeks for observation.
Thu Feb 28, 2013 5:34 pm
