Nondomestic, Exotic, Wild and Zoo Animals–Original Article The Pathology of Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome Josue´ Dı´az-Delgado1, Derick B. Whitley1,2, Ralph W. Storts1, Jill J. Heatley3, Sharman Hoppes3, and Brian F. Porter1 Abstract Wobbly hedgehog syndrome (WHS) is a leading cause of neurologic disease in African pygmy hedgehogs (APHs; Atelerix albi- ventris). Chapter 9: Hedgehogs From Pathology of Small Mammal Pets, First Edition. The predominant clinical signs of WHS are progressive ataxia and paralysis, with onset often under two years of age. by Yvonne van Zeeland and Nico Schoemaker. XD on my legs Shadow The Hedgehog Due to years of inbreeding, hedgehogs can get many kinds of sicknesses, including a horrible one called wobbly hedgehog syndrome (WHS), which is similar to multiple sclerosis (MS) in humans. If you purchased a hedgehog from a breeder that later develops this syndrome, report it to the breeder so they are aware. In the wild, hedgehogs live for 1-3 years as they are at risk from predators. We already have a resident hedgehog population – America has no wild hedgehogs (just some very grumpy ones made to dress up for hedgehog shows). Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome (WHS) is a progressive paralysis that occurs in approximately 10% of pet African hedgehogs in North America. Disease progression is variable, but complete paralysis often occurs within 15 months. Bottom Line. Dec 18, 2019 - Promoting ethical ownership and breeding of African Pygmy Hedgehogs in the UK. Open 7 days a week, 9am-5pm for admissions. Both sexes are affected and the disease starts from the hind legs. 6 A similar if not identical disease has been described in the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus). Jan 27, 2018 - Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome (WHS), is a progressive, degenerative neurological disease that affects African pygmy hedgehogs. Placing the animal on a heat mat whilst waiting to get it checked by a vet or wildlife hospital will normally help. You must provide me with a copy of the necropsy to receive a replacement baby. However if you find a hedgehog in water it can’t escape from or visibly very wobbly, unresponsive or injured or out in the day then they need rescuing. ... Hedgehogs are wild animals and so can get very easily stressed by human contact. Helping hedgehogs Find a hedgehog rescue. It's not always easy to determine if your hedgehog has Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome. This progresses to mild, intermittent ataxia. The reason is that this can be fatal if your domesticated hedgehog attempts to hibernate. Therefore, new owners do adequate research about the proper heating of your hedgehog’s enclosure. Hedgehogs get wet in the wild all the time. Wobbly hedgehog syndrome (WHS) is a progressive, degenerative, neurological disease of the African pygmy hedgehog. Buy an open-sided, solid-surface wheel that's large enough (preferably bigger than 10 inches) to allow room for your hedgehog to run in place. Tag: wobbly hedgehog. Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome, or WHS, is a disease affecting both African and European hedgehogs. We are a small home-based Charity In Strood, Kent, We run entirely on donations. Researchers are investigating whether it is purely genetic. Wobbling in Erinaceus is usually due to being cold and ill. When hedgehogs suffering from this disease try to stand still, you can easily notice them wobbling around. Registered Charity No: 1066760 Tagged collapsed hedgehog, dehydrated hedgehog, erinaceous europaeus, find hedgehog hospital, find hedgehog rescue, found a hedgehog, hedgehog daytime, hedgehog dying, hedgehog facts, hedgehog hospital, hedgehog … Therefore, domestic hedgehogs do not need to hibernate at all. Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome. Food and Water . 17 The disease is characterized by ataxia that can progress to seizures and tetraplegia. fat reserves as hedgehogs in the wild would. We are the UK's biggest hedgehog community. While many sources state that your pet will start to fall over or list to one side, evidence of the disease may be as subtle as dragging a foot or abruptly stopping running in the wheel. Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome (WHS) has been recognized since the mid-1990s and is reported to affect approximately 10% of pet African hedgehogs in North America. The onset of WHS commonly occurs under 2 years of age, but can occur at any age. Other diseases like Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome (WHS) can also limit their lifespan, as this is a degenerative neurological condition with no cure. A necropsy must be performed to confirm WHS at the buyer’s expense. Ataxia progresses to falling over, being unable to right themselves, seizures, and eventually paralysis with many other symptoms in between. In its early stages, WHS has remitting and relapsing symptoms. However, if you find a hedgehog staggering around during the day or in winter then it might be in trouble. 103 talking about this. Commonly referred to as "wobbly hedgehog syndrome," hedgehogs can develop a neurological disease that causes them to, well - wobble. 2005). Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome (WHS) is a progressive paralysis that occurs in approximately 10% of pet African hedgehogs in North America. Whether the virus was introduced to the hospital through an asymptomatic carrier hedgehog or other wildlife (e.g., birds, rabbits or rodents) that shared the same airspace in the hospital remains unknown. African pygmy hedgehog, Atelerix albiventris, wobbly hedgehog syndrome AFRICAN pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris) originate from west and central Africa, where they live a solitary life, mainly sleeping during the day and coming out to forage at night. How to find a hedgehog rescue for sick and injured hedgehogs. Home Sweet Home: Cages for Hedgehogs. Since it’s a progressive disease, the … Obesity is another common problem resulting from too many treats and often leads to problems walking and running. If WHS is confirmed, a replacement hedgehog baby will be given from the next available litter. Paresis usually starts at the back of the animal and progresses forward over time, potentially resulting in complete paralysis. Exercise is essential for the health and happiness of a hedgehog. For that reason, a hedgehog MUST have a wheel. Mar 20, 2012 - Wobbily Hedgehog Syndrome; Cause, treatments, Complete care information for your pet with WHS, What to do if your pet dies, Research on this disease. You don’t want your hedgehog to suffer needlessly at the end of their life, so you should be prepared to make this decision when the time comes. The name comes from one of the prominent symptoms. It’s awful to have to think about this, but it’s just the way it is. However, arteriviruses are known to cause … Although wobbly hedgehog syndrome can occur at any age, it is commonly seen before two years of age. Clinical signs of WHS begin with mild ataxia, progress to more severe neurologic signs, and ultimately lead to complete paralysis. In the wild, hedgehogs can travel upward of 5-10 miles every night while foraging for food, and it is impossible for them to get this kind of exercise just from being handled and played with every day. This is a progressive disease that causes loss of muscle control and muscular degeneration due to nerve damage. Because no wild animals were identified as having neurologic signs, we infer that all cases were probably hospital acquired. It is a sad disease that no hedgehog should ever have to go through but reportedly affects about 1 in 10 hedgehogs. Buy a running wheel for your hedgehog to get active. Jun 6, 2014 - Yeah, my hedgie was sleeping on that pic. Unit 9, Lower Soldridge Business Park Soldridge Road, Medstead Nr Alton, Hampshire GU34 5JF. The expected lifespan of wild African Pygmy hedgehogs is up to 4 years, although captive counterparts often exceed this age due to advances in veterinary care (Heatley et al. Sick, injured and orphaned hedgehogs are very susceptible to hypothermia. Tumors in aging … Find out what's on the Nat Geo Wild. Wobbly hedgehog syndrome (WHS) is an insidious, progressive, incurable neurologic disease that affects pet African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris). I believe it will be a disaster. In the wild, hedgehogs are insect-eating mammals. An early sign is the inability to close the hood. Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome (WHS) is a progressive, degenerative, neurological disease of African hedgehogs, ... Erinaceus Europaeus- and one must be very careful not to mistake wobbling in a wild hog for WHS. They don’t all need rescuing. August 9, 2019 September 26, 2020 Emma Kate Farley. Wild Animal Sampler Feather Damaging Behavior and Self-Injurious Behavior From Blackwell’s Five-Minute Veterinary Consult – Avian. HedgeHog Wild also offers a lifetime guarantee against Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome (WHS). This disease does not discriminate between males or females, and the age of onset does not effect the rate of disease progression. That is a sign that body temperature is too low. Demyelinating paralysis (wobbly hedgehog syndrome) occurs in as many as 10% of pet hedgehogs. Hedgehogs are going to be moving around because of nests being flooded. Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome (WHS) is a progressive paralysis that occurs in approximately 10% of pet African hedgehogs in North America. African pygmies like to exercise; in the wild, they travel great distances daily. Onset can occur at any age but is more common in animals <2 yr old. This image is from... National Geographic/Rolf Steinmann by Patricia V. Turner, Marina L. Brash, and Dale A. Smith. 28 JULY 2020 Male Tibetan fox with cubs playing. Responsible private sector breeders are working on reducing the incidence of wobbly hedgehog syndrome by not breeding lines that have shown this tendancy. Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome is a neurological disease that is most commonly found in African Pygmy Hedgehogs, but also can occur in other species. Wobbly hedgehog syndrome doesn’t have a cure, and when the time comes you will likely have to euthanize for the sake of the hedgehog.