Generally, the pervious owner did not mention that hedgehogs had any medical records before they abandoned them. Even the hedgehog have any medication history, most of the ex-owner would not mention a word.
In addition, the ex-owner will tell us about the age about the hedgehog but that may not accurate. The veterinarians estimated based on the condition of the teeth and the body. The teeth and the body condition of each one are different, so everyone is estimated. We only can based on the words from the ex-owner, the hedgehog over 3 years we won't rehome normally.
This is also a main point that the hedgehog will stay with us at least one month for observation that can help us to estimate around how old is the hedgehog.
What exactly will we check in this period of time?
The reason for this article is that we want the owner to understand more about the operation of us, for the understanding of hedgehog sickness.
There is a misunderstanding the hedgehog adopted from us it is 100% healthy. Scientifically, it is no 100%. We will explain in detail:
We are usually checked by one of our volunteer which is vet nurses, basically
-No obvious anemia,
-mucous membrane look reasonable pink
-No dehydration,
-Normal body shape,
-No dandruff on the skin ( a little bit dandruff is acceptable like human)
-No skin parasites,
-Walking normally, no wobbly
-No discharge coming from eyes, ears, nose and mouth,
-feces and urine look normal
If any abnormalities we find, they will be taken to the veterinary clinic for further examination.
Of course there is no way to exclude hidden diseases by palpation alone, such as:
1. Hidden tumor/cancer/abscess/lump
Let me just call them " ball" first, since if need to diagnosis it is a tumor/cancer/abscess/lump you need to send it out for laboratory examination.
The standard of observation is the "ball" didn't change the size within one month, The first step of understand the "ball", it didn't growth fast in this period of time, since the aggressive one normally growth fast.
Secondly, as I said it before, if they need to diagnosis it is a tumor/ cancer/ abscess/ lump you need to send it out for laboratory examination, that's mean take the sample to the lab and do the testing--- either surgery cut it out or take a cytology sample( which is poke the needle to the " ball" and take some sample out" .
This is impossible to take the sample when the hedgehog is awake(also inhumane), so the process must be anesthetized. For this reason we will tend to observe first, if didn't have any change during this period of time, we will not go for the general anesthesia to do more investigation.
Regarding tumors, especially oral tumors, every head shape of the hedgehog is different, some is more round, some is more slim. If we find the face look raise but symmetrical, and didn't have any change in this months, it is very difficult to characterize it as a tumor especially if it eat normally,
Of course, if there is obvious swelling, or even ulcers in the swollen area, the health check of that hedgehog must be unqualified, and it is not suitable to go to a new home.
2. Dental problems
Normally we can observe the front teeth of them, but generally is very difficult to see the molar, and many of them are completely invisible
Therefore, a detailed oral examination of the hedgehog requires general anesthesia or even a skull X-ray. Same as above, because of this reason. If we observes that there is no problem within a month, we will not perform this type of test.
3. Cardiac disease
To diagnose heart disease, except for hear heart murmur, arrhythmia by using the statoscope, it is often necessary to cooperate with X-rays and ultrasound to see the heart is it enlarger
If the hedgehog didn't show any symptom --- that's means breathing afford normal, no breathing sound etc., we will not bring the hedgehog to general anesthesia to x ray or ultrasound for this reason
4. Organ problems, such as lungs, liver, kidneys, etc.
In fact, you need to have a blood test to see if the index of the organ are normal or not, and the X-ray to see that there are any enlarged organs and shadows. Unless the palpation is obviously swollen and hard, general anesthesia x ray blood test will not be performed to the hedgehog that look normal for us.
Because when they are awake they will not let the vet to take the blood or laid down on the x ray plate let the vet take the x ray, unfortunately, general anesthesia is also required.
It is a hedgehog with a normal appearance, no symptom we don’t want them undergo general anesthesia. Therefore, we can’t rule out the hidden diseases of the hedgehog. Sorry, it’s a limitation of us. The problem we list out we really can't pick up during our observation period
How much can the volunteers actually observe in another month?
To be honest, half months for the new owner may observe more than us
All of our main volunteers have full-time job, otherwise the association can not run anymore. Other than that we need to take care 10, or more than 20 in peak season and that's include some hedgehogs with long term disease. No matter how hard we try, it’s will not better one-on-one
Because of this, it is very difficult for us to notice the very detailed problem, as long as the hedgehog:
1. Eating normal
2. Feces and urine normal
3. No Runny nose, coughing or nasal discharge
4. mucous membrane look reasonable pink
5. No dehydration
6. No dandruff on the skin
7. No skin parasites
8. Normal body weight
9. Normal breathing rate, speed and no noise
10. Walking normally, no wobbly
If the hedgehog pass all the points above,
we will assume it is suitable for new home
But please pay attention again! It does not mean that the hedgehog must be 100% healthy.
Because as we mentioned above:
1. Submissive tumor 2. Dental problems 3. Heart disease 4. Organ problems etc.
If the hedgehog didn't have any symptom, we will not take it to X-ray blood test with general anesthesia,
Therefore, there is no guarantee that they are 100% healthy.
If the above 10 inspections are not enough for the new owner,
Maybe you have to go to the vet for physical examination after adoption
Or go another places which will check them more detailed than us for adoption.
I hope this article can help more people who interested for adopt can understand the operation of the association and health expectations of the hedgehog, thank you 😊
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