QuestionMy hedgehog has very quickly lost the ability to use her legs, she has not been eating or drinking and does not want me to feed her at all and Ive noticed some heavier breathing. Ive tried syringe feeding her and watering her but its a struggle.
Ive taken her to the vet and shes been given antibiotics in case of an infection. When I took her in she could still walk and over night she has lost the ability to but she tries really really hard to get around.
She refuses to use the heating pad I got and wont sit still long enough for me to swaddle her to warm her up. She cant roll into a ball either.
I am scared she is passing away and am hoping this isn't the case. Are there certain things I can do or look for in my little girl?
AnswerHi, Danielle:
How old is your hedgehog? WHS tends to strike hoggies at 1-2 years of age.
The swift onset of your girl's symptoms is not characteristic of WHS. I'm not a vet, but I'm guessing ear, intestinal, or respiratory infection. I think you need to be more insistent with your vet. Perhaps he or she would consider a consult with another vet who specializes in exotics. My hedgie vet is Kim Burks:
http://animalemergencybloomington.com/Staff.html
Dr. P Dressen is an expert hedgehog vet:
http://www.northstarholisticanimalcare.com/
There is a ton of info available online. There are also forums, which I think would be good places to ask for info from other hedgehog fanciers:
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/hedgehogwelfare/info
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/hedgehog_help/info
http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=39
Of the hedgehogs I've had, most will move so they are facing into a corner of their habitat, outside their usual bed, when they are really ill. This is not an automatic death sentence, but it is a bad sign.
Please let me know how things are going. I hope and pray your girlie will make a full recovery.
Hedgie Blessings,
Laurel
