Hedgehog with acute hemiparalysis

Re: Hedgehog with acute hemiparalysis

mariette asselbergs — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 08:44:08 GMT

Just an update, he is certainly lively and eating fine, loved the dog id, and now the catfood sachets. Seems to be stronger on his right hand side and was able to hide in a ball this morning, but equally confident to relax as soon as he sniffed his food. He is able to get around the crate on hay bedding, but still unable to really lift him self up on all fours at all. So far so good, and thanks for all advice!

Mariette

Re: Hedgehog with acute hemiparalysis

james herriot lied — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 23:31:04 GMT

[quote user="Marie Kubiak"]

I can't think of a specific vitamin B deficiency that would cause the presentation but can equally see no harm in giving it - for these kind of cases in wildlife sometimes it's just a matter of trying as much as you can within reason.

[/quote]

Maybe Mariette was referring to the 'holy triumvirate' of life-enhancing drugs: penicillin, steroid and Vit B; cures all in the right hands, particularly when mixed in the same syringe

I have come across reports of thiamine deficiency in hogs, particularly when fed high fish diets, or with bad gut upsets (my own experience has been that Vit B complexes haven't done much, but they're often so compromised that nothing seems to help).

Good luck Mariette

Re: Hedgehog with acute hemiparalysis

Marie Kubiak — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 23:14:04 GMT

Shouldn't have too many pygmy hedgehogs roaming free around here!

It does sound like an odd case. I can't think of a specific vitamin B deficiency that would cause the presentation but can equally see no harm in giving it - for these kind of cases in wildlife sometimes it's just a matter of trying as much as you can within reason. No-one wants to fund wildlife MRIs to get a specific diagnosis!

Good luck, if he does come right I can help find somewhere local that is reasonably well protected to release him if you need it,

Marie

Re: Hedgehog with acute hemiparalysis

mariette asselbergs — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 22:34:58 GMT

Thanks very much Marie! I think it is a European hedgehog because people brought it in found in the garden. It looks like the hedgehogs I have seen now and then in my life.(I have never seen an African pygmee on other than dead on the road in Africa.....) The strange thing is that it seems BAR, eats very well especially when a bit supported on the RHS, but otherwise it lies on the right hand side and sleeps when not eating. I will change its abx to baytril. Any point in vit B? It loves the dog ID tins.

Mariette

Re: Hedgehog with acute hemiparalysis

Marie Kubiak — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 20:39:08 GMT

Is this an African Pygmy hedgehog or a European? Very different differentials for the two species:

European - trauma, intoxication (slug pellets particularly), circulatory disturbance, spinal abscess/granuloma (Salmonella frequent isolate but can be any opportunistic in debilitated elderly animal)

APH - CNS neoplasia, 'wobbly hedgehog syndrome', fulminant cardiac Dz, , intoxication, hypo/hyperthermia, hypoglycaemia, renal failure

If survey rads are unremarkable then bloods would be next step, with aggressive supportive care - fluids electrolytes based on bloods, nutritional support, Abs able to cross into spinal fluid - fluoroquinolones and 3rd gen cephalosporins both do), anti-inflammatories...

Marie