HEDGEHOG
Pornchai Sanyathitiseree
Dept. of medicine

            Common species and variations

            Behavior
            Hedgehog are nocturnal and therefore are active in the evenings.
            If they are allowed to run in the house, they tend to hide in corners or under furniture.
            Most hedgehogs prefer quiet environments and may react with fright at loud noises.
            Many hedgehog dig in carpet or in houseplants and dirt if accessible and will forage for spiders and insects in the home.
            They prefer dimmed lighting to bright sunlight or room lights.
            They are solitary animals except for mating and usually must be housed seperately even if raised with a same sex littermate.

            Diet
            Captive diets should be fairly high in proteins and low in fat.
            Cat or dog foods alone do not seem to be adequate as the sole diet component.
            The diet should be as varied as possible. Hedgehogs will readily take meaty household scraps and thinned petfoods. Chicken carcases , raw or cooked are much appreciated and the bone help to balance the diet and to keep the teeth free of tartar.
            To minimize obesity , ad lib feeding of adult hedgehogs should be discouraged.

            Housing
            Hedgehogs need a smooth-walled enclosure that is high enough to prevent escape.
            Aquarium 20 gallon or larger are acceptable.
            Enclosures made of wire should be avoided in order to prevent their feet from being caught.
            Prefered bedding is newspaper or recycled pelleted/absorbable material.
            Although hedgehogs do not play with toys as do other small mammals , they will use an exercise wheel that is hung from the top of the enclosure or mounted.
            A pan or shallow tub(warm water , warm ambient temperature) may be provided for swimming. For bathing , use Mycodex shampoo is a soothing post-mite therapy.

            Preventive care
            Prevent obesity. Have owners weight hedgehog at least monthly.
            Dental prophylaxis
            Nails need periodic trimming.
            Prevent chilling;provide heated environment with dry bedding.

            Sexing
            Males have mid ventral penis. Testicles are abdominal.

            Common clinical conditions in Hedgehogs

            Rule out chart for Hedgehog on clinical signs
 Clinical signs  Differential diagnosis 
Anorexia Dental disease Gastrointestinal or parasites Fatty liver Neoplasia Pneumonia Chilling Behavioral( - mating distraction diet change husbandary change)
 Diarrhea Gastrointestinal disease Parasite Fatty liver Dietary change
Flaky / scaly skin , Broken quills  Saecoptes mange mite Ixodid ticks Flea Flea allergic dermatitis Fungal , bacterial dermatitis 
Hypersalivation Anting behaviour : response to novel taste or substance Defensive behaviour Dental disease Oral neoplasia Nauseas ( GI disease ) 
Lacerations , Wounds  Fighting when housed with other Injures Environmental
 Lumps , masses , Swelling Neoplasia ( Squamous cell carcinoma fibroma , etc. ) 
Reluctance to move , Lameness  Debilitating systemic disease Geriatic change Chilling Obesity Neoplasia Overgrowth toenail Pododermatitis Fracture Luxation Nutrient deficiency
Respiratory signs Snuffles , sneezing congestion  Defensive behavior vocalisation Pneumonia Rhinitis Sinusitis Foreign body inhalation 
Sudden death  Fatty liver Cardiomyopathy Shock Pneumonia
Weight gain  Over eating Pregnancy Neoplasia Lack of exercise
Weight loss Neoplasia Anorexia Pain Chronic debilitating systemic disease Diet change and reluctant to eat novel food or poor diet Environmental