About Crystal Expertise I can answer most questions about hedgehogs. I can answer questions about basic care, handling, symptoms and treatments to common hedgehog illnesses, housing, and how to make cheap toys for hedgehogs. I cannot answer questions about how to treat serious illnesses in these animals, but I can help find a good veterinarian in any state.
Experience I have owned a female African Pygmy hedgehog for four years. I have also read many publications on the care of this breed of hedgehog.
Question For the past few days we have noticed that our hedgie has been showing some strange behavior. He is barely eating, and his fluid intake has increased greatly. He also walks with an uneven gait and sometimes this causes him to fall over. I am concerned as to whether he is simply malnourished or a greater problem is affecting him. Please help.
Answer Take your hedgehog to the vet. There is just too much that this could be a sign of for me to answer. I just recently lost my hedgehog to cancer because I caught it too late, so I don't want anyone else to run that risk. I knew that is how she would die when I got here, since after year 5, most hedgehogs develope some form of cancer. I don't want to say that is what is wrong, but that is exactly how Pepper Ann was acting. I chose to put her to sleep over surgery because it was the best option for her. Her cancer was too advance and she had lived a long life for a hedgehog. Her vet said that she had at least 3 large tumours and that he would probably find more smaller ones if he operated. Obviously this was a very late find... I chose to leave her with my grandparetns while I was away at school since I am not allowed pets, but I totally regret that everyday. I noticed she was acting like how you described your hedgehog, but I ignored it and just thought there was too much bedding for her to walk properly.
I don't want to scare you, but cancer is a very common problem with hedgehogs. That is the only reason I mention it. I knew to expect it from the beginning. Your hedgehog might just have a leg injury. Something like a hair could have fell in the cage and wrapped around the leg and cut it. There are many things I could suggest, but the best answer is to go to the vet.
Sorry this took so long to answer. I have had numerous computer problems. I hope you hedgie gets better!
