How to prevent and treat diarrhea in hedgehogs? A detailed practical guide for breeders

1) Causes Sudden changes in feed, too little concentrated feed, feeding too much green fodder, weaning too early so the young hedgehog's digestive function is poor, eating moldy and spoiled feed, drinking dirty water, eating large amounts of vegetables, a dirty and damp hedgehog house, irritation from toxins, etc. can all trigger indigestion and lead to diarrhea.

2) Symptoms The sick hedgehog is listless and often lies to one side, has reduced or lost appetite, and its feces are soft, pasty, mushy or watery, with a fishy odor; the feces contain undigested feed, the area around the anus and the hind legs are covered with loose stool, the belly is bloated, and urination is reduced and grayish-white. In severe cases the body temperature rises, the animal becomes emaciated, the eyeballs sink and lose their luster, and the spines on the body surface also lose their shine; death follows quickly.

3) Prevention and treatment Withhold food 1 to 2 times, then choose 1 to 2 of the following formulas for treatment. ① Xieliting 1 tablet orally, once a day. ② Furazolidone half a tablet orally, twice a day. ③ Sulfaguanidine half a tablet orally, once a day. ④ Intramuscular injection of gentamicin 2 mg/kg body weight, twice a day for 3 consecutive days. ⑤ Artificial salt 2 to 3 g, garlic tincture or dried tangerine peel tincture 5 to 10 mL orally. ⑥ Sulfadiazine + baking soda 0.07 g/kg body weight (doubled for the first dose), orally twice a day for 3 consecutive days. ⑦ Neomycin intramuscular injection 2000 to 4000 international units per animal per time, 3 times a day for 3 consecutive days. ⑧ Chloramphenicol intramuscular injection 10 to 30 mg per animal per time, twice a day for 3 consecutive days. ⑨ Tannalbin 0.25 g per animal per time, twice a day for 2 consecutive days. ⑩ Add a small amount of charcoal powder to the feed. After the diarrhea stops, stomachics should be given: artificial salt 0.5 g and yeast tablets 2 tablets.