Do you want to know more about hedgehog pets that have fly strikes?
I learned about this disease fly strike for the first time when discussing it with my friends who kept hedgehogs as pets. I was upset when I spotted this on my hedgehog pet, but I was prepared to fix it. I’d like to share what I’ve learned and invite you to read my post on Hedgehog Pet Skin Infection and Hedgehog Pet With Dry Skin which will also teach you how to treat your hedgehog pet if this happens to your buddy at any time.
Let’s go,
What May Attract Flies To Your Hedgehog Pet
Flies can be attracted for a variety of reasons. Flies are frequently attracted to cages. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular reasons why flies are attracted to hedgehogs.
Cages That Are Wet And Stink
You’re undoubtedly aware of how tough it is to keep a cage clean. Most owners find it difficult to keep up with care, and as a result, the pens are wet and stinky owing to your hedgehogs’ pee and droppings.
Stale Vegetables
Flies are drawn to unripe or undercooked vegetables and fruits. Always provide fresh fruits and veggies to your hedgehog pets. Fruit flies are attracted to food that has been sitting out for several hours.
Damp Bedding
Flystrike might be drawn to moist bedding as well. The flies lay their eggs on damp bedding such as hay or other similar things. Flies adore such a breeding and living environment. To safeguard them, it is best to use high-quality bedding.
Wet Bottom
If your hedgehog pet has diarrhea or lacks absorbent bedding, and their fur becomes wet from their urine, this can be a major attractant for flies.
Skin That Is Cracked Or Dry
Flies prey on the dry, cracked skin of hedgehog pets with fungal illnesses. To consume themselves, they will assault dry regions and bite hedgehog pet. So we must take precautions to keep our hedgehog pets secure, especially when they are ill. These are the ideal locations for flies to deposit their eggs. These eggs will hatch into maggots that will feed on your hedgehog. Situations like this can be distressing, and we need to consult a veterinarian to ensure your hedgehog pet heal quickly.
How Do I Know My Hedgehog Has Fly Strike
Fly strikes in hedgehog pets is similar to fly strikes in any other animal. It is an unpleasant condition that occurs when Fly eggs are laid under the eyelids, in any body part and they develop into maggots swiftly. The maggots will begin eating through the flesh they come into contact with, inflicting blindness if they get into the eyes and horrific scars. Flystrike can occur within a short time, resulting in toxic shock and death if not treated quickly. Other symptoms of flystrike in a hedgehog include:
- Your hedgehog is growing silent and tired
- Wounds that are painful, bleeding, or open
- Appetite loss
- Quitting drinking
- A pungent odor emanating from them
- Red elevated lesions that may be filled with pus
These eggs must be removed quickly by a competent vet so that treatment may be given immediately
What Causes Fly Strike In Hedgehog Pets
Fly strike is an irritation produced by the biting of flies, such as stable flies, black flies, and deer flies. Flies are drawn to dampness, warmth, and odor. If there are open wounds or fur that has been wet with urine or feces, flies will flock to these warm incubation regions to lay their eggs. The odds are higher if the hedgehog pet is outside, but it only takes one fly to cause havoc. What type of harm? Maggots do not stay on the surface. They devour the outer area before moving on to sound flesh and once they devour the outer area successfully, they generate poisons that cause shock and if not treated on time, may result in death
How Do You Prevent Fly Strikes In Hedgehogs Pets
You can assist avoid flystrike by doing the following:
• Check for symptoms of disease, injury, and daily.
• Check your pet’s body, especially around their back end and anus at least twice a day in warm weather.
• Clean with warm water and thoroughly dry the area, if your pet’s back end is unclean. You may need to cut their fur, but if you’re not sure how, see a professional.
• Every day, clean the toilets every week, clean the housing, and change the bedding.
• Check the weight of your pet and always give them the quality food
• Fly screens on windows are great for preventing fly invasion. If you keep windows open for ventilation, ensure sure they have a fly screen available
• Check for moist fur regularly to monitor your hedgehog pets’ urine. Any incontinence will cause urine to stain the hair and attract flies.
• Assist in maintaining excellent oral hygiene. Overgrown teeth can be painful and have an impact on how your hedgehog pet feeds and grooms. This can swiftly hurt their stomach health and hygiene, resulting in soiling.
• To repel insects at night, use a fog machine with a solution of concentrated repellent and water. Spray the particular places where flies are drawn.
• Flies can be controlled by eliminating abandoned d food Leftover food get spoilt fast. It is very advised that all food be removed from your hedgehog pet cage within 24 hours. Flies are drawn to food that has been left unattended for an extended period. Hedgehog Pets Who Are Prone To Fly Strikes
Flies can bite a healthy animal with transitory loose feces, but your aging, crippled, or overweight hedgehogs that are unable to clean themselves are especially vulnerable. Due to maggot infestation, an otherwise healthy hedgehog can acquire a lethal condition of shock within a couple of hours. Every mortality is usually accompanied by significant personal anguish and shame because hedgehog pet keepers who experience death of their hedgehogs are enraged that something important and precious as a hedgehog pet can be brought down by something as tiny as a fly. Particular hedgehogs who are not kept in suitable hygienic-sanitary circumstances are affected as well.
Can Fly Strike Be Treated In Hedgehog Pets
The answer is unequivocally yes. Yes, because I had firsthand knowledge of this, I was able to cure my hedgehog pet. It is an emergency if you find maggots on your hedgehog pet. Call your veterinarian right away and bring your hedgehog to the clinic. The most important thing you can do is get your hedgehog to a veterinarian quickly
Your veterinarian will provide the following care:
- Getting rid of the maggots. The removal of the larvae existing on the animal’s body is the first step in treating fly strikes. This maneuver must be performed by a veterinary surgeon and is done when your pet is sedated
- Clipping your hedgehog’s fur around the affected area and properly washing it
- Antibiotics for Pain, an anti-inflammatory and/or antibacterial medication may be used.
Your veterinarian may place your hedgehog on a drip, to administer drugs and supportive care to your hedgehog’s gastrointestinal system, and to apply topical treatments to the affected area.
Conclusion
As lovely as hedgehogs can be kept as pets, it is necessary to prepare for any condition they may experience and see to it that they receive treatment. The first step is to make sure you have enough space for your hedgehogs This helps you to simply clean the lodging and keep it from becoming too dirty. This will allow you to enjoy your buddy’s companions and eventually avoid hedgehog pet death. At all times, absorbent bedding must be provided. I recommend you read my post on Hedgehog Pet Bedding Needs which will provide you with the best bedding options for your pet