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Although there are several internal and external parasites that may affect a hedgehog, they are for the most part not dangerous to humans or other pets.

Every hedgehog should be examined periodically for external parasites. This examination can be done by simply picking up the animal and looking at the skin.

Fleas are the most common of external parasites for hedgehogs. There is a specific flea that lives on hedgehogs but if you have dogs or cats in the house, their fleas can often infest the hedgehog as well. As a rule, these dog and cat fleas will only reside on the hedgehog a short period of time before going on to look for their natural host.

Whenever fleas are discovered on a hedgehog, immediate treatment is recommended. Severe infestations can cause anemia or even death in the animal. There are a few sprays and powders that are safe for puppies and kittens that may be used but the safest method is to shampoo the hedgehog. It is important for the owner to remember to treat the cage, bedding and hedgehog all at the same time.

Fleas will lay eggs that develop into larvae, which in turn will turn into other fleas and re-infest the hedgehog. This flea cycle takes approximately five weeks to complete. Fleas are generally at their worst during the summer months in areas that have distinct seasonal changes. For those in the Gulf Coast area where ice and snow are the oddity and not the norm during the winter months, fleas are a year round problem.

Not as common as fleas are mites. The type of mite that will infest a hedgehog is larger than the common flea and won't hop when you try to remove it. Mites will suck the blood from a hedgehog and cause a great deal of irritation as well as the loss of some of the spines. In most instances, the treatment used for fleas will work against mites as well.

Occasionally ticks can even be found on hedgehogs. For those owners who are not able to remove the ticks themselves, it is recommended the hedgehog visit a veterinarian for assistance. It is imperative that the entire tick be removed from the animal to prevent any type of secondary infections or skin irritations from arising.

In addition to these external parasites, there are a few internal ones that can cause problems for the hedgehog. Most of these will be avoided if the pet hedgehog is kept on a manufactured diet and not environmental slugs, worms or other "natural" dietary supplementations. To check for internal parasites a veterinarian will be needed to do the actual tests.

One of the most prominent of internal parasites is the lungworm. Since part of their life cycle includes a stay in an intermediate host such as a snail or slug, the worm is acquired by the ingestion of what the hedgehog considers a natural part of the diet.

Some of the more common symptoms of lungworm infestation in hedgehogs are coughing, wheezing, loss of appetite and severe weight loss. There are no home remedies to treat the condition and medication needs to be given under the close supervision of a qualified veterinarian.

Another internal parasite is the intestinal threadworm. Although they don't require intermediate hosts like the lungworm, the threadworm can be carried via earthworms. If a hedgehog is diagnosed as having threadworms, the owner will have to keep the cage as clean as possible by changing the bedding frequently. If this isn't done, the hedgehog can continue to re-infect itself from its own stool. Symptoms of intestinal threadworms are usually depression, diarrhea, weight loss and an overall weakening of the animal.

Although not a true parasite, there is a protozoan organism named coccidian that is extremely resistant to drastic changes in environmental temperatures and conditions. In severe cases of infestation, bloody diarrhea is a common symptom. As with all the internal parasites, a veterinarian will be needed to prescribe the correct medication and dosage for treatment while the owner will need to empty the cage and scour it as well as discarding all the bedding.

With proper care and preventative measures, a hedgehog can make an ideal pet for adults and children by giving years of love and enjoyment.