Hedgehog
Parasites
Hedgehogs
are prone to many different types of external parasites. The most common
parasites found on Hedgehogs are:
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Fleas - Brown insects, about 3mm in
size, hopping through a Hedgehogs spines.
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Ticks - Grey parasites, ranging from
very small to quite large (5mm) in size, usually found stuck onto the side
of a Hedgehog
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Mites - Very small, grain-like white
insects moving over or underneath a Hedgehogs spines. These parasites are
usually quite hard to see clearly, but easy to identify.
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Ringworm
- a Fungus which looks like
patches of dry and flaky skin, with areas of bald patches on the body of a
Hedgehog
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Maggots - Small worm-like insects
crawling around the Hedgehog's spines, attacking bare flesh and congregating
in groups all over the Hedgehog's body.
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Mange - A skin condition in Mammals which is caused by Mite infestation
If you require
specific information on any of the above parasites, please click on the required
link below :-
Fleas -
Fleas are very
common in Hedgehogs. They are mostly associated with Hedgehogs as they
are often found on most wild hedgehogs. However, if a Hedgehog is found
to be suffering from severe numbers of Fleas living on the Hedgehog,
then immediate action should be taken to ensure that all fleas are
REMOVED. Although very small inside, it is not hard to spot Fleas, as they
can easily be seen 'Hopping' around on the Hedgehog or moving very
quickly in-between the spines.
Fleas can also be found on a range of other wild animals, as well as Hedgehogs. |
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removal of these parasites is not an easy or quick procedure. You can
either attempt it yourself, or take it to an experienced Wildlife Carer
in your area. (See LINKS page)
The main method of removing Fleas from a
Hedgehog is to use a Anti-Flea dust, such As Johnson' Rid Mite,
available from Pet stores, from your local vet or from a veterinary
supplier. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT NO OTHER FLEA-REPELLING PRODUCT IS
USED ON HEDGEHOGS. YOU MUST ALSO NEVER USE ANY ANTI_FLEA SPRAY, THE ALCOHOL
CONTENT IN THE PUMP IS PROVEN TO CAUSE RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS FOR THE
HEDGEHOG. Therefore, Johnson's Rid Mite is the ideal solution to combat
Fleas living on a Hedgehog,.
You should dust the powder lightly over
the back of the Hedgehog, taking care not to dust anywhere near the
Hedgehogs face. After using the powder, the Fleas, in good time, should
hop off the Hedgehog, as the dust irritates them. It is then IMPERATIVE
that you destroy ALL of the Fleas from the Hedgehog and also ENSURE that
no Fleas are left on the Hedgehog, |
It is
important not to leave Fleas on a Hedgehog, as the Fleas irritate
Hedgehogs.
You MUST ensure that you DESTROY and
dispose of the Fleas collected from the Hedgehog. You can collect and
destroy Fleas by using FLAT-TIPPED tweezers, and flushing the fleas in a
strong solution, such as Bleach, Steriliser fluid or Savlon, for
example. |
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Ticks -
| Ticks are quite
common Ecto-Parasites likely to be found on Hedgehogs. There appearance is
similar to a bead; a grayish bead-like lump stuck to the Hedgehog's skin
and lodged in between spines. Ticks fed off the blood of animals of which
they are attached to. Therefore, if Ticks are present on a hedgehog, they
have been feeding off it's blood for quite sometime. If the hedgehog has a
large number of Ticks present on it's body, then it is very likely that
the hedgehog has suffered some fluid and blood loss. If Ticks are not
removed from a hedgehog, they will almost certainly cause Anemia, making
the hedgehog very weak and unstable.
Ticks attach themselves to Animals such ss
Hedgehogs by grasping body hairs, or in this case, spines, so it can
plunge it's 'Hypostome' (blood-sucking mouth into the skin of the
hedgehog. As the Tick consumes more and more blood from the hedgehog, it swells
in size. The photo on the right shows a fully-grown Tick, as it would
appear after removal from a hedgehog. |
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removal of ticks from hedgehogs, or indeed any animal, should be done as
quickly as possible, but also with the maximum amount of care. The fact
that every Tick on a hedgehog has embedded it's head into the skin makes
it more difficult to remove. It is IMPERATIVE that the head of the
is removed from the hedgehog together with the body. If the Tick head was
detached from the body during removal from the hedgehog, the head would
cause infection and septicemia. This, therefore should be avoided at all
costs, and every precaution taken when removing each tick from a
hedgehog.
Removal of Ticks should be done by using
Forceps or flat-pointed tweezers. Before the initial removal of the
hedgehog by one of these methods, each Tick should have a drop of Olive
Oil applied to the head area (NOT the body)
The Olive Oil, in my experience, has
already killed or at least stunned the Tick, allowing for easier removal
from a hedgehog. The Tick's body should be grasped firmly with
tweezers until a good grip is maintained; only then can the Tick
be carefully removed.
Disposal of each Tick should be done by
dropping the Tick into Surgical Spirit/Steriliser fluid/Savlon/Bleach.
This will ensure that each Tick removed will be successfully
destroyed. |
Care
should be taken ion the removal of Ticks as they can carry and transmit
Lyme's Disease, which is also transmittable to humans as well as other
animals. |
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Mites -
| Mites are visually
small white specks of dust-like insects, which can be seen running up and
down hedgehogs spines. Mites themselves have the potential to cause Anemia
to hedgehogs and sometimes even death.
Mites are also the cause of mange is most
Mammals, including hedgehogs. Mites dig their way into a hedgehogs skin,
causing masses of fur and spines to fall out as a result. If the Mites are
not destroyed and removed from the hedgehog in good time, the hedgehog
will almost certainly die.
Once the Mites which are causing all the problems
and stress to the hedgehog are removed, then the process of healing the
effects of the Mites, such as Mange, can be treated. |
There is currently No
picture for Mites |
| Treatment
for mange can be given from a vet, in the form of Ivomec injections. More
information regarding the treatment of mange can be found in the Mange section of this page.
In regards to the removal of Mites from a
hedgehog, treatment can be given by bathing the hedgehog in Alugan. Using
a syringe, the Alugan solution can be squirted on the spines of the
hedgehog in order to wash off Mites. This process should be completed
until all Mites have been removed from the hedgehog. |
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Ringworm -
| Ringworm is a
highly contagious skin condition seen in Hedgehogs, which is also transferable
to humans. If Ringworm appears on humans, it usually takes form of a rash,
but should not last long and will not prove fatal to either humans or
hedgehogs. Ringworm takes the form of dry patches of flaky skin on a
hedgehogs body. There are also exposed areas of skin where the Hedgehog's
spines have fallen out due to the Ringworm. Although similar in appearance,
Ringworm should not be confused with Mange.
If you are in doubt, then you should take
the Hedgehog to a vet as son as possible for diagnosis and
treatment. |
There is currently No
picture for Ringworm |
To treat
Ringworm is a simple process, providing that you are careful not to become
infected with Ringworm yourself.
Treatment for Ringworm can be given by
using an oil, such as Almond Oil or Olive Oil. You can also ensure that
any open wounds are kept clean by the use of Savlon. Tea Tree cream is
said to be just as effective. If none of these treatments are available,
you can take the Hedgehog to a vet who can treat the animal with an
anti-fungal spray or equivilent. |
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Maggots -
| As with all external
parasites found on a Hedgehog, it is essential that maggots are REMOVED.
ach maggot found on a hedgehog must be individually removed with the use
of forceps or tweezers and then disposed of. If maggots are found to be in
the mouth of a hedgehog, they should be carefully washed out with
mouthwash. For any Maggots or eggs clustered around sensitive areas, such
as the eyes or ears, warm water can be used. o be sure that you have removed
al of the maggots on the hedgehog, the hedgehog can be dusted with a
powder which will kill any remaining maggots and eggs. |
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also important that any open wounds on the hedgehog are cleansed with an
anti-bacterial wash, such as Savlon.
Remember that removing these parasites from
a hedgehog is very time consuming, therefore plenty of time should be set aside
if you plan to undertake the task of removing them. If a good amount of
time and patience isn't what you have to offer, then a trip to your local
wildlife carer should ensure that the hedgehog receives the care that it
needs. Please use the link below to search for a wildlife carer in your
area, or contact us for your nearest carer. Wildlife Carer in
your area. (See LINKS page) |
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Mange -
Mange is a skin
condition in mammals generally caused by Mite infestations. Mange appears
as white powder dusted on a hedgehog, usually around the face area.
In many cases, Mange can be identified on an animal because of flaky skin, open or bleeding scabs, bad smells and thew appearance of crusty lumps.
In Hedgehogs, the spines usually fall out, and often look bent near the base, and fall out when the spines are brushed.
Treatment for Mange unusually done by a vet. Ivomec injections can usually
be used for treatment of Mange in Hedgehogs, as with other Mammals with similar conditions.
Alternatively, Stronghold can be used on the animal (this is a liquid product that is placed along the back of the animal)
For similar information, see Mites |
Photo shows a large lump of skin and hair that was removed from a Hedgehog with Mange. The skin was eaten away by Mites, making it very loose. With Mange, all infected areas, usually skin/fur/spines needs to be cleaned/removed form the animal.
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If you have any queries regarding
the information presented in the above pages, or for any general information
relating to wildlife rescue, you can email john@blythwildliferescue.co.uk
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