Treatment FAQ

where can i get mite treatment for hedgehogs

by Dr. Oceane Barrows Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How do you get rid of mites on a hedgehog?

Apr 02, 2022 · There are no anti-mite treatments specifically made for hedgehogs, but certain treatments made for cats are generally safe. Your vet will probably use a drug such as ivermectin. Avoid using any medication without your vet's approval, as hedgehogs respond badly to some treatments intended for cats and dogs.

What is the best anti-mite treatment for hedgehogs?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a treatment available that is specifically intended for hedgehogs, however, there are mite treatments for cats and dogs that can be used on hedgehogs. You should not use any type of treatment on your hedgehog without seeking approval from a vet beforehand because some can be toxic to its health.

What happens if a vet test for mites on a hedgehog?

The Natural Hedgehog Mites Home Remedy Section. 1 tbsp olive oil. 1 tbsp coconut oil ( Fractionated Coconut Oil Would Be Best) 2 drops vitamin E oil. 1 tsp apple cider vinegar. 1 tbsp oatmeal in a sock.

Can you use ivermectin on hedgehogs?

There are no hedgehog-specific drugs for managing mites in hedgehogs, so your veterinarian may suggest products used for dogs and cats (their use in hedgehogs is described as “off-label”). Topical cat medications, including Advantage™ and Revolution™, appear to be safe but should ONLY be used under the guidance of a veterinarian familiar with hedgehogs.

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How do I get rid of mites on my hedgehog?

Toss all the kibble that is already in the cage. Freeze the remaining bedding and kibble that is in its packaging for 24 hours to kill any mites that may be in them and to prevent reinfestation. Keep the affected hedgehog separate from other pets for a week or so until you're sure the infestation has been eradicated.Apr 2, 2022

How do you treat mites on hedgehogs naturally?

The idea is to get the mites on your hedgie to come into contact with the diatomaceous earth, so don't be afraid to even dump some on your hedgie then rub it in. The sand will eventually make its way down to their skin naturally as the hedgie moves about.

How do I know if my hedgehog has mites?

When a younger hedgehog is quilling they tend to scratch often due to the discomfort of the new quills breaking through their skin. But extreme quill loss from a concentrated area is a sure sign of an advancing infestation of mites or topical yeast infection and you should seek veterinary treatment immediately.Apr 9, 2019

What does a hedgehog with mites look like?

Acariasis, also known as mite infection, is not a widespread problem in domestic pygmy hedgehogs, but if your pet exhibits abnormal scratching with bare patches of skin, it may be due to mites. Hedgehog mites look like tiny white specks at the base of the quills and on the skin.

How do you treat parasites in hedgehogs?

How are hedgehog diseases treated? Internal parasites are treated with the appropriate deworming medication. External parasites are treated with a safe flea spray, injectable medication, or medicated bath and dip. Pneumonia and other respiratory problems are treated with antibiotics.

What flea treatment is best for hedgehogs?

Topical cat medications such as Advantage™ and Revolution™ appear to be safe but should ONLY be used under the guidance of a veterinarian familiar with hedgehogs. Topical flea powders, premise sprays or even professional pest exterminators may be used but consult your veterinarian first.

How do I bathe my hedgehog?

Part of a video titled How To/How I Bathe My Hedgehog - YouTube
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4:59
I was suggest lifting your hedgy up from the water to do this so that they don't ball up and dumpMoreI was suggest lifting your hedgy up from the water to do this so that they don't ball up and dump their nose into the water. Make sure to wash their underside as well not just the spines on the top.

Why is my hedgehog so itchy?

In hedgehogs, mange is usually caused by a sarcoptic mange mite. These mites burrow into the skin, and as the population grows and the burrowing becomes extensive, intense itching results, which then leads to intense scratching.Jan 22, 2017

What kind of mites do hedgehogs get?

Mites are tiny parasites, which are arachnids similar to tiny spiders or ticks. There are several species of mites which can infect hedgehogs, including chorioptic, sarcoptic, demodectic, psoroptic. They cause skin irritation and pain to your hedgehog, though to different degrees depending on the type of mite.

How do pet hedgehogs get mites?

Hedgehogs can get mites from other infested hedgehogs, which they may contact at the breeders, in pet stores, shelters or previously contaminated bedding. It's fairly easy to treat mites and you'll want to do so because they can be quite serious if left untreated. "Hedgehogs are often infested with mites."

How do you treat mange on hedgehogs?

Mange mites are treated by topical or injected ivermectin, available from a vet. The treatment can take a long time and it is vital to continually remove crusty flakes to ensure that the treatments can get right down into the deeper layers of the skin.Jan 10, 2018

How do you know if your hedgehog is dying?

Some of the most common hedgehog dying signs are weight loss, loss of appetite, the difficulty of breathing, inability to roll up, confusion, laziness, weakness, bloody urine or poop, and body lumps.Aug 15, 2021

How do you know if you have mites?

During the early stages of an infestation, the signs may not be very noticeable, if you can’t see the mites, there are several other things that you can look out for. One of the most common symptoms is irritation and itchiness which can create patches of dry skin.

Can hedgehogs get mites?

Your hedgehog may get mites from another infested hedgehog that they have come into contact with when in the care of the breeder or at the pet store. Knowing the signs of mites and how to treat them is crucial for the health of your hedgehog. If left untreated, an infestation can escalate to a more severe problem.

How to treat mites on hedgehogs?

We recommend using only as a hedgehog mite home remedy and only until the hedgehog is free of mites. As much as possible, we want to make sure the hedgehog does not breath it in too much. Many hedgehog owners have used this product to eliminate itchy mites. And DE is your first step for an immediate hedgehog mites home remedy because: 1 Direct contact with mites, fleas, and ants will eliminate them 2 Sprinkle the powder on your carpet after vacuuming to remove lingering mites 3 Dust it all over the grass or beach area where your hedgie is about to stroll around to prevent mites 4 Using DE as a temporary treatment improves healthy skin and hair/quill growth

What is revolution for cats?

Revolution® is actually a treatment formulated for cats to rid of fleas, mange, ticks, hook worm, and round worm. It is also meant to prevent heart worm disease, but not mites in hedgehogs. Revolution® is not what we consider the least harmful hedgehog mites home remedy. Actually, it's not really a home remedy at all since it requires ...

What does it mean when you feel something crawling on your skin?

** Formication is the feeling that something is crawling on your skin when there isn't anything there to cause you to itch. Itching can be mentally induced by reading about mites or seeing someone simply scratch their head. Most likely it is just static electricity build up that has attracted a small particle from the air to your hair follicles and caused a sensation. Or, you're sympathizing with your hedgehog who may have mites, in which case, let's get to solving that…

How to tell if you have mites?

How To know there are mites. First, check their skin and see if there is any quill loss or damaged and flaky areas. Mites will cause quills to have a mushy crust substance at the base of them. If you want to confirm mites on your own while you wait for your vet appointment, collect the dander off their skin.

How long do hedgehogs live?

The eggs are firmly attached to the hedgehog's skin, and the life cycle of these mites is three weeks. Poor hedgie's skin will develop widespread scabs and will quickly lose hair and quills. They may be seen with the eye as tiny white speckles usually on the face, legs, near the hips, and ears.

What is the problem with a hedgehog?

Hedgehogs living in the wild are often infested with ticks, fleas and mites, which are small insect parasites causing itchy , irritating skin issues. The same goes for pet hedgehogs.

How do you know if a hedgehog has mites?

If your hedgehog has mites, you may not notice any signs or symptoms if it’s early in early in the infestation because your hedgehog may or may not be itchy depending on his or her hypersensitivity to mite bites. Eventually you might notice these signs in your hedgehog: Seborrhea (dandruff) and very flaky skin.

Symptoms of Mites in Hedgehogs

You may or may not have the ability to see the real mites on your pet hedgehog however you probably will see the damage the mites trigger to your pet.

Causes of Mites in Hedgehogs

Mites can be contracted a variety of ways. New hedgehogs, bedding, and food are the typical culprits of a mite infestation. It’s not uncommon for hedgehogs to be plagued with mites if, for instance, it has lived in a pet shop near rodents or birds.

Treating Methods of Mites in Hedgehogs

There are no hedgehog-specific drugs for managing mites in hedgehogs, so your veterinarian may suggest products used for dogs and cats.

Preventing Mites in Hedgehogs

Fortunately, it’s easy to avoid mites. Always wash your hands after managing any other hedgehog at a show, family pet shop, or buddy’s house. If you bring home a new hedgehog be sure to quarantine them for one week to look for signs of mites or other illnesses before introducing them to your other hedgehogs.

Can hedgehogs get mites?

Pet hedgehogs can be prone to mite infestation if not treated properly. If your hedgehog starts losing patches of quills, is noticeably itching, has dry flaky skin, and is biting at parts of its body mites are probably to blame. The good news is that mites on hedgehogs are easily preventable and treatable.

How to get rid of mites on hedgehogs?

If bedding must be purchased from a pet store, you can freeze it for a day or two to help kill any mites. Bathing your hedgehog once per month in warm water with a few drops of olive oil can also help to prevent mite infestations ( How to Give Your Pet Hedgehog a Bath ).

Can hedgehogs get mites?

Hedgehogs are not more prone to mites than any other small pet. But it’s still likely that your hedgehog will get infested one or two times during his life. And this is for both genders. In the following sections, I’m going to write about symptoms, causes, treatment and prevention of mites.

How to tell if a hedgehog has mites?

A vet will usually use a microscope to make a diagnosis. Even if the skin of hedgehogs is naturally more dry, red areas and very flaky skin with dandruff can be a sign of mites. Additionally affected pets often bite, lick and scratch themselves.

Why are hedgehogs so prone to mites?

A high stress level makes hedgehogs more prone to a mite infestation. That said, a transfer of mites from another infested hedgehog, or through contaminated bedding you bought at a pet store are most common.

How long do mites live in bedding?

In warm temperatures, the life cycle of mites can be very short (10 to 12 days). Wash your hands after you handled another pet. Freeze new bedding for 24 to 48 hours to kill all mites and their eggs that might be in the bedding. Freeze new hedgehog food or cat food for 24 to 48 hours (except crickets and mealworms).

Can you buy Revolution over the counter?

Many websites mention REVOLUTION® as an appropriate solution to the problem and think it can be a good treatment as well. But you can’t just buy it over the counter and will need a recipe from your vet. Another option might be the treatment with home remedies.

How Do Hedgehogs Get Mites?

It is important to know how hedgehogs get mites in order to protect your pet from an attack. Here are some of the main causes of a mites attack:

How To Prevent Mites From Attacking A Hedgehog?

There are a few steps that you can take as a precaution to prevent mites from attacking a hedgehog. Remember that it may not entirely be possible to prevent an attack but you can take steps to reduce the risk:

How To Spot Mites On A Hedgehog

Spine/Hair Loss: Spine and hair loss is a major sign of mite. The loss may not always be rapid, hence you must pay special attention to the hair on the body of your pet.

How To Treat Mites

You may not be able to treat the condition on your own, hence consider taking the animal to a vet.

Can Mites Invade Humans As Well?

Not really. Mites do not like to live on humans because they are fond of furry beings. Therefore, you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that you and your family members are safe.

How Do Hedgehogs Get Mites: The Bottomline

Mites do not only irritate hedgehogs but can also lead to illnesses and other serious concerns. This is why it is important to find a solution as quickly as possible. You do not want your pet hedgehog to fall sick.

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