HELP FOR NEEDLES, A YOUNG HEDGEHOG WHO IS LOSING HIS QUILLS

CATHY KRZECZKOWSKI
The Record (Bergen County, NJ)
01-04-1996
HELP FOR NEEDLES, A YOUNG HEDGEHOG WHO IS LOSING HIS QUILLS
By CATHY KRZECZKOWSKI
Date: 01-04-1996, Thursday
Section: LIFESTYLE
Edition: All Editions -- 3 Star, 2 Star P, 2 Star B, 1 Star Late, 1 Star Early
Column: PET Q&A

Q. Help! Our 6-month-old hedgehog's quills are falling out! His
skin is red and flaking and he appears to be very uncomfortable. We're
afraid to take Needles to our vet because he's never treated hedgehogs
before. What should we do?

A. Find a veterinarian who does take care of hedgehogs -- and make
an appointment before your poor pet goes bald! You may have to make a
few calls before you find one in your area, but persistence pays off.
After calling the North American Hedgehog Association in New Mexico, a
vet in upstate New York, and a former breeder in Ramsey, I finally found
hedgehog help in Ridgewood.

Dr. Dean Cerf, who has been treating these spiny mammals for quite
some time, says parasite, fungal, or bacterial infections could be the
cause of your pet's problems. Or, because of his red, flaky skin, it
could be an allergic reaction. After infections and allergies have been
ruled out, Cerf says the third possibility may be endocrine disorders,
imbalances of hormones in the body.

"But don't take this shopping list to the store," Cerf says. Skin
scrapings and cultures (to identify the problem) may be needed, as well
as heavy-duty drugs, all of which should be administered only under a
qualified vet's care.

Also, it could be difficult to treat hedgehogs, he says. If they
get defensive, curl up into a ball, and stick their needles out, they
would have to be sedated.

Although Cerf says he wouldn't encourage people to get these
exotics -- they're not the most cuddly or affectionate pets -- he admits
that some hedgehogs can be "playful ... like pussycats."

Advice from Eve Kelsey-Wood of NAHA: If you're feeding your
hedgehog only cat or dog food, he may be suffering from poor nutrition.
They need a broader diet.

"They're meat eaters," Kelsey-Wood says, and they should be eating
small pieces of skinless chicken or beef, insects such as mealworms, or
even scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, or small pieces of any fresh fruit
or vegetable.

Letters should be sent to Pet Q&A, The Record, 1350 Route 23, Wayne,
N.J. 07470-5892. Or, send electronic mail to Cathy Krzeczkowski via the
Internet at newsroom {AT} bergen-record.com. Answers will appear only in
this column.

Keywords: ANIMAL. DISEASE

Copyright 1996 Bergen Record Corp. All rights reserved.