When researching African Pygmy Hedgehogs, I came across information on the dreaded “Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome” which can eventually affect 1 in 10 hedgehogs. This disorder is similar to multiple sclerosis in humans in that it involves an adult hedgehog becoming very shaky and unsteady on its feet. The poor animal often falls to one side and finds it increasingly difficult to get up on its own. Its legs will eventually become paralyzed and the hedgehog will need to be euthanized.

Horrible! It won’t happen to my pig…

I got Clark at 8 weeks and for the first few days he was in high spirits when he was awake, but spent about 22 hours a day sleeping! It took him a few days to learn to trust me and when he started running during his waking hours I noticed that he was very shaky. He fell quite a bit and I wasn’t sure if it was an illness, an injury, or just because he was still a baby. I went straight to Google!

All the results showed this terrible disease and although he said that it is very rare in young hedgehogs, it is still possible.

I was devastated

My poor Clark! I closely monitored him for another week. His balance neither improved nor deteriorated. I took a video of him running around his cage and uploaded it to a fan page with over 5,000 followers. I asked if this is normal for a 9 week old hedgehog. They all said ‘no’! He was upset that he had denied it and hadn’t taken him to the vet sooner. Everyone was commenting on the video telling me it was definitely Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome.

a veterinary visit

I got a vet appointment the next day and took Clark there wondering if I was going to have to put him down right there. The vet was surprised that Clark got rid of it so quickly and was so kind. He didn’t walk much on the vet’s table so as not to fall but he was very shaky and when trying to pick up a biscuit that the vet had left for him he didn’t have very good aim. The vet ruled out an injury to his legs and said he’s sure there’s something wrong with Clark’s brain, like a cyst or some fluid pressing against the part that helps him keep his balance. He said he had never heard of a reported case of WHS in the UK and that it is linked to the parasites they have in the US. The vet suggested that Clark be monitored and that he predicted that Clark would not deteriorate and if anything would improve with age as he learns to keep his balance. It’s not safe for him to use his exercise wheel, so now he has a ball pool to climb on.

Relief

Driving Clark home that night, I was so relieved it wasn’t wobbly hedgehog syndrome. I have learned not to jump to conclusions and listen to what other hedgehog owners suggest. There are many health problems a hedgehog can suffer from, without it being WHS.