Hedgehogs with a bleeding problem may usually be treated. However, it is critical to pay close attention to your Hedgehog’s physical health, as some conditions might be fatal.
If your Hedgehog’s pee, feces, or vaginal discharge contains blood, it’s a sign of an internal disease. The causes of the bleeding determine the intensity of the matter. Your hedgehog may bleed from the nose, mouth, nails, ears, or you may have blood in their urine or poop.
This article will help you learn different reasons why the Hedgehog may be bleeding and how you can treat it.
Causes Of the Bleeding
Some of the prevalent causes of bleeding are cancer, fungal infection, injuries, poisoning, or gum disease. Sometimes it can be a trapped substance in the Hedgehog’s mouth or that there is a rapture of the pet’s internal organs.
Some of these causes are life-threatening if you do not address the issue early enough. It is important to pay close attention to the body of the Hedgehog so that you can identify any change or unusual signs.
You should take note of the exact place where the blood is coming from. This will make it easier for you to identify the cause of bleeding.
The following are the different places where your Hedgehog can be bleeding from and why:
Bleeding From the Mouth
If your Hedgehog’s mouth is bleeding, a specific injury may cause the bleeding to the teeth or tongue. However, there might be other factors at play.
Bleeding from the mouth might indicate a foreign body stuck in the Hedgehog’s mouth, gum disease, poisoning, or even an internal organ rupture.
If you observe your Hedgehog’s mouth bleeding, you should take it to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Nose Bleeding
Hedgehogs, like humans, may have a bleeding nose from colliding with anything nose-first. The bleeding normally ceases within a few minutes in these types of injuries. However, if the bleeding does not stop, it might become an issue.
A pattern of blood loss might signal that the issue is more serious. A foreign body can cause a bloody nose stuck in Hedgehog’s nose, a blood clotting problem, a fungal infection, or even cancer.
Hedgehog nose bleeding is a serious condition requiring a veterinarian trip. As a result, if you notice your Hedgehog’s nose bleeding, you must act quickly.
Bleeding From the Nails
It’s critical to have your Hedgehog’s nails trimmed regularly. Your pet may injure himself or rip on items if he is not frequently cut.
Your Hedgehog’s nail may occasionally come off without causing any harm. On the other hand, a damaged nail can cause extreme irritation, discomfort, and swelling.
It’s also important to be cautious when trimming your Hedgehog’s nails. Make sure your hedgehogs’ nails aren’t too short. Nails that are too short might potentially cause bleeding.
Nail bleeding can occur as a result of bacterial or fungal diseases. If the bleeding appears to be excessive, I recommend that you take them to the veterinarian.
The styptic powder can be used to stop mild bleeding. It will aid in the halting of the bleeding. Instead of cryptic powder, you may use flour.
Bleeding While Peeing
Urine with blood frequently implies a urinary tract infection (UTI), exposure to a specific toxin, or certain bleeding diseases.
Hedgehogs can get a urinary tract infection or cystitis, which can result in dark or red urine. Urolithiasis (bladder stones) can cause hematuria (bloody pee) and make urination difficult for your Hedgehog.
Urinalysis, culture, radiography, and a bladder ultrasound will all help to diagnose your Hedgehog’s urinary tract condition. Infections of the kidneys, bladder cancers, and other urinary system illnesses are also common.
Finding blood in your Hedgehog’s pee might suggest the possibility of bladder stones or possibly cancer; however, such situations are extremely rare. As a result, if you see bloodstains in your Hedgehog’s cage, you should call your veterinarian immediately.
Bleeding From the Ears
Your Hedgehog’s ears may be bleeding for a variety of causes. Conditions that cause bleeding might be life-threatening at times, but they can also be minor.
It depends on the source of the bleeding and the amount of blood on the ear. Minor scrapes on the outer region of the ear do not require immediate care. Minimal treatment will be enough.
On the other hand, underlying conditions such as mite infestation or fungus will necessitate prompt expert assistance. If your Hedgehog is losing a lot of blood, you should take him to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Bleeding From the Anus
When a hedgehog’s anus bleeds, it can become a serious condition. If you find your pet bleeding blood from its bottom, take him to the veterinarian right away.
Tumors, intestinal cancer, anal gland infection, severe constipation, blood coagulation abnormalities, or even poisoning are all possible reasons for bleeding from the anus.
In rare situations, your Hedgehog’s veterinarian may recommend that you use cold compresses to the afflicted region until the internal bleeding ceases. Veterinarians may even recommend stitches to help stop the bleeding.
You must inspect your Hedgehog on a regular basis to verify that its stitches are not coming out or your Hedgehog is removing them. Contact your veterinarian if you see any symptoms of external bleeding or if your Hedgehog is ripping the stitches out.
Do Hedgehogs Have Periods?
Another reason your Hedgehog may be bleeding is because of their periods. Hedgehogs go into heat and go through an estrus cycle, but they are also thought to be induced ovulators.
It might be difficult to tell when your Hedgehog is in heat, but the general guideline is that their cycle lasts nine days and is followed by a 7-day break. However, this isn’t a hard and fast rule.
Many breeders still believe that hedgehogs are induced ovulators, with their reproductive cycle starting when a male is present. It might be tough to discern when they are in heat once again.
Breeders put female and male hedgehogs together for a couple of days to capture them when they are in the cycle. They are kept together for 4-5 days, then separated for 4-5 days before being reunited for another 4-5 days.
Some breeders like to keep the male and female together for ten days, while others simply allow three days to see if the female responds.
These timings appear to be an effective way of ensuring that the female is in heat while with the male. This includes her being an induced ovulator and following a cycle.
What Should I Do After I Find My Hedgehog Bleeding?
If your Hedgehog is bleeding, you must check it carefully to see where the blood is coming from, how much blood is there, and how long or frequently the bleeding is occurring. In addition, while deciding how to treat bleeding in hedgehogs, other symptoms must be taken into account.
If you notice any indications of infection, you should take your Hedgehog to the veterinarian immediately. The veterinarian will assess the situation and begin medication.
In certain situations, your veterinarian may discover that the bleeding your Hedgehog is experiencing is due to a nutritional deficit. As a result, you must ensure that your Hedgehog obtains all of the nutrients he or she requires to live a healthy life.
Conclusions
If you find your Hedgehog bleeding, you should respond immediately so that you avoid greater and more severe consequences. You should find help from a vet depending on the cause of the bleeding.
