Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome
If until a few years ago most of the pets were dogs, cats or birds, nowadays the market offers a huge variety of exotic species to choose from. The challenge for veterinarians and owners is more open than ever. For example in the case of the staggering hedgehog syndrome.
The role of a veterinarian is to offer the necessary care to each pet by keeping up to date on even rare diseases, such as the staggering hedgehog syndrome. Let’s find out more about this disease.
The staggering hedgehog syndrome
This pathology, from the English Wobbly hedgehog syndrome, consists of a degenerative disease of the nervous system whose origins are unknown to date.
It is a disease similar to multiple sclerosis in men, to which it is often compared. In the case of the African hedgehog, however, it is suspected that it is due to all the indiscriminate crosses to which the species has been subjected over the years.
It should be emphasized that there is currently a considerable legal vacuum regarding the breeding of the African hedgehog. They have been banned for some time as they are considered a potentially invasive species, which is why specialized centers do not have a license to breed them.
Development of staggering hedgehog syndrome
Staggering hedgehog syndrome affects African earth urchins when they are around three years old. Before or after this age it is much rarer to occur.
The development of the syndrome is progressive, usually starting in the back of the animal and then spreading to the front legs as well. It can also hit the right half of the body first and then the left half, or vice versa.
It consists of a loss of muscle control that causes the hedgehog to stagger (ataxia). Hence the name of the syndrome.
We emphasize how this disease can be easily confused with vestibular syndrome, hence the importance of evaluating all possible diagnoses before reaching conclusions.
When the first symptoms appear and the hedgehog begins to walk with difficulty, his life becomes considerably complicated. In the early stages of the disease, the animal will lose weight because it has difficulty reaching the food bowl.
Affected animals usually die within a month to a year of the onset of symptoms. Survival largely depends on the palliative care offered to the hedgehog.
Treatment and care
While there is no specific treatment, giving the African hedgehog some basic care will greatly improve and prolong its quality of life.
Diet
You will need to feed the hedgehog a high quality diet, including insects and well-cooked, skinless chicken or turkey breast. The menu will be concluded with small pieces of baked or boiled fruit and vegetables. It is recommended that the pet be given supplements of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, as well as vitamin supplements.
In an advanced stage of the disease, the hedgehog may struggle to eat on its own. Help him by buying a drinking trough with a spout. For assisted feeding, it is advisable to opt for homemade baby food to be administered with a syringe. Create the baby food starting from the ingredients you normally use, adding the appropriate nutritional supplements.
Pay particular attention to hydration during the advanced stage of the condition. Curls dehydrate quickly, so make sure you always have the syringe at hand to give them water frequently.
Physiotherapy
Keeping the hedgehog’s musculature in the best possible condition is important to slow the progression of the disease. To do this, simply massage the animal’s extremities to stimulate muscle tone.
Abdomen massages are also recommended. Gently caress her belly, soft and stingless, so as to stimulate gastric motility.
To sum up, with today’s article we wanted to give you a general smattering of a little known ailment for which there is still no treatment.
We hope that our tips will be useful to you if your little pet has the misfortune of contracting staggering hedgehog syndrome. By helping your hedgehog with our advice, you can improve and prolong the quality of his life as much as possible.
