WHS: Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome

Copyright © 1999 - Laura Mowrey - All Rights Reserved


ARE YOU SURE THIS IS WHS??

Before you jump to the conclusion that your hedgehog has WHS, you need to consider other causes for
it's wobbliness.
Hedgehogs can appear "wobbly" for many reasons......

1. Is your hedgehog cold? Feel it's belly and if it is cool to the touch, warm him or her up by placing him
under your shirt. Then take steps to insure that this will not happen again by uping the temperature,
placing a heating pad set on low under the cage, or some other means. Whatever you choose to do, make sure it is
SAFE! DO NOT use hot rocks designed for reptiles as they can cause serious burns
to your hedgehog.

2. Injury, and arthritis are other possibilities. Your Vet can help determine by x-ray or ultrasound if there
is something wrong there.

3. Tumors are also known to cause wobbliness and other neurological abnormalities. Here again, your vet can help
determine what is wrong and decide on possible treatments.

4. Check your hedgehogs legs....make sure there is no hair or fibers wrapped around them, cutting off the
circulation. This happens more often then you might think, and hedgehogs have lost their legs to this. Check the
nails also, to make sure that they have not become overgrown and cutting into the pads of their feet.

5. Vestibular Syndrome may also be mistaken for WHS.
These are but a few examples of what can cause wobbliness. Your Vet can help disqualify other causes before you
assume it is WHS. Remember, a necropsy is the only definitive method of diagnosing this disease. Once
other possibilities have been ruled out, one might assume it is WHS and treat accordingly. The methods
of daily care can certainly be applied regardless of the root cause.

If you have a hedgehog who is suffering from this disease, please go to my WHS webpages for information on care.
You can also e-mail me anytime at:
sshalimar16@msn.com

PLEASE BE CERTAIN TO WRITE: "WHS HEDGEHOG" IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF YOUR E-MAIL


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