Do you want to know how to indefinitely treat hypothermia in your hedgehog pet?
It should be part of my daily habit, but the first time I had an awful experience with my hedgehog pet, I was so afraid I would lose my buddy, I saw my pet’s body temperature was so low and I was terrified, I instantly phoned my vet, and he came to my rescue. I will like to share my vet’s advice and recommend that you read my piece on Hedgehog Pet Winter Care on the best care for your pet in the winter.
Let’s go,
Can Hedgehogs Get Hypothermia
Absolutely yes, Hypothermia is an improper temperature condition in the presence of a hedgehog. Improper transportation during the cold season might have disastrous effects. and can make your hedgehog pet suffer hypothermia. It should never be confused with hedgehog hibernation even though they are both similar in some ways. Read How To Organize A Trip With A Hedgehog Pet for the best ways to give your pet a nice trip. Hypothermia can also cause your hedgehog pet to wobble. If you are not sure why your hedgehog has affected mobility, it is best to seek advice from your vet or a hedgehog pet breeder
13 Signs Of Hypothermia In Hedgehog Pets
- Slow metabolism and a lack of appetite.
- The ball maintains its location and does not respond to sounds.
- Cold legs and body of your hedgehog
- Muscle paralysis and loss of balance are also possible outcomes.
- Renal issues can be experienced by your pet
- Extensive necrosis of the extremities.
- A ruffled coat to keep heat in, weariness, weakness, muscular stiffness
- Shortness of breath
- A mucous membrane that is light and blue
- Icy extremities (ears, paws, and tail)
- A body temperature that is less than the normal temperature of your pet
- A low heart rate
- A feeble pulse with a strong, persistent trembling throughout.
What Are The Stages Of Hypothermia
Stage 1: The hedgehog goes outside to eat and drink water but does not act normally. You can notice a hedgehog walking unsteadily, without strength, falling and having difficulties getting back up, or not reacting to unexpected and loud stimuli. This happens when the ambient temperature falls below 20°C, causing it to feel very chilly and its body temperature to drop significantly, causing the hedgehog to suffer from severe ataxia.
Stage 2: In the second stage, he does not go outside to feed or drink water; instead, he curls up into a ball, decreasing his heart rate and breathing rate. When a hedgehog reaches this stage, it is because the ambient temperature is below 15°C, resulting in a state of acute hypothermia, which, if it lasts longer than a few days, can result in significant damage and even death of the animal.
Stage 3: This develops as a result of hypothermia. It usually emerges 24 to 48 hours later and displays as greenish diarrhea. You must be extremely cautious about this since it might result in dysbiosis or the loss of natural flora and replacement by infections.
Ways Of Avoiding Hypothermia In Hedgehog Pets
Keep your hedgehog’s temperature between 22 and 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
Keep him nourished.
Provide at least 10 hours of light every day
When the temperature drops below 15°C, your hedgehog pet goes into hypothermia
You have to ensure that the room in which the hedgehog is kept is about 25°C. If this is the case, they should not suffer from hypothermia because it is the perfect temperature at which they dwell. However, because it is difficult to keep such a high temperature all year, several items can assist warm the terrarium where it resides. There are specific heating plates for this sort of animal but if you can’t afford it or don’t know where to get it, there are far simpler and easier-to-locate alternatives.
Traditional hot water bottles can be used in hot water, but they must be covered with a cloth or something to keep the hedgehog from biting or burning. Gel pads are also useful when you don’t require a lot of heat since they emit a little amount of heat for a short length of time, which is beneficial because it reduces the chance of burning the hedgehog. If you don’t have a hot water bottle, a securely closed bottle filled with hot water and covered in a towel would suffice.
The use of electric blankets is another way of avoiding hypothermia, however, they should only be used outside of the hedgehog’s terrarium because they are not designed for this use, having one inside can be hazardous because it may come into touch with a liquid and create a cut. If it is large enough to cover virtually the whole base of the hedgehog’s house, it might be a suitable option to have in ideal circumstances for the hedgehog. Always remember to keep a portion of the base open so that the hedgehog may cool off.
An excellent way to combat the cold is to invest in an external heating system in addition to a bed or thick fleece bag.
Hot plate: It should be around 7 watts and be put under the bed of your pet.
Ceramic light bulbs that range in power from 60 to 100 watts. This is important because the ordinary plastic necks of lamps can melt, these must be fitted in a specific lamp for this type of light bulb or in a ceramic neck. Its heat is robust and permeable; its flat-faced shape is more efficient and lasts longer than conical ones since it does not concentrate as much heat within. To avoid burns, it is only suggested for large terrariums and at a distance of at least 40 cm from the animal. It has the benefit of not emitting light, so it does not interfere with the hedgehog’s natural cycles.
Stove: The best answer for low temperatures is a stove in the room, although it is not as cost-effective as the previous options. Always avoid stoves that generate gases that might be poisonous to the animal, as well as UV light lights, because they are mostly nocturnal creatures with sensitive skin. It is critical not to overheat since doing so can result in harm such as burns or death from hyperthermia.
How Do You Treat Hypothermia In Hedgehog Pets
By supplying heat to the animal using various techniques, for example, laying it on our body and therefore producing heat, placing hot water bottles wrapped in a soft and dry towel, providing heat with a stove, and managing the temperature with our own hands. The last alternatives while holding the hedgehog include a hair drier with hot air, an infrared focus, a hot plate, and so on. Taking care not to leave it or get too close to the heat source, which might create a shock due to a rapid temperature differential and can burn them. This should be done gradually and with great care
What Is The First Aid Treatment For Hypothermia
Body heat is one of the most consistent and potent heat sources available for first aid. After body heat, a blanket is necessary. The blanket heats up, wrap your hedgehog in your hands and snuggle your hands under your shirt near your body
If you have a heater, don’t worry about it: lock yourself in the bathroom, turn it on high, and fill a washbasin with hot water that won’t burn (30°C is good). Submerge the hedgehog gradually, not all at once, leaving the head outside so that no water enters the ears, mouth, or nose, and making sure that the water does not get cold. When you put your hands in the water, the impression of the change in water temperature becomes much subtler.
Conclusion
We must strive to heat them correctly in the winter and ensure that they always have clean water and do not overheat in the summer. Once you can revive your pet, allow him to relax and supply him with an additional heat source so that he does not lose heat and can fully recover. The use of a heat disc would be useful. If it does not recover, take it to your exotic vet right away. I recommend you read my post on Ways to know the Signs of illness in hedgehog pets as well as the best ways of treatment