Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome

Last Updated on November 8, 2022.

What is Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome?

VIDEO.:  Understanding WHS… Please WATCH

• Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome (WHS) is a degenerative disease affects the nervous system of both African pygmy (Alterix sp) and European (Erinaceus europaeus) hedgehogs.
• Many believe there is a strong correlation with Degenerative Myelopathy (DM – auto immune disorder of the central nervous system and is comparable to muscular dystrophy or ALS)
• Oftentimes a general diagnosis of “Wobblers” or WHS is given when animals present neurological signs or symptoms.
• True Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome is only diagnosable by a necropsy and pathological examination of brain and spine material.
• It is important to rule out the possibility of injuries, disease, or illness that could cause similar symptoms to ensure proper treatment is provided.

If there is any concern about your hedgehogs’ health, consult a knowledgeable veterinarian. There are many things that a veterinarian should rule out before your hedgehog is believed to have Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome.  Many similar conditions can be treated.

Signs, Symptoms, and Complications of Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome

• Symptoms of general WHS cases include
  • A wobbly gait or appearing to tremble while standing still.
  • Inability to coordinate movements
  • Difficulty standing and regularly falling to one side.
  • One of the earliest signs of WHS is that the hedgehog is unable to close its hood (visor used to protect the eyes). Graesser D, Spraker TR, Dressen P, et al. Wobbly hedgehog syndrome in African pygmy hedgehogs. J Exotic Pet Med. 2006;15:59–65.
  • HOWEVER, these symptoms can also be of other origins (see What is NOT WHS below).
  • Symptoms of more definitive cases of WHS include
    • Neurological symptoms
    • Very gradual onset
    • Onset may occur between the ages of 1-36 months but the average age of signs and symptoms 18 months. (Garner and Graesser, 2006)
    • Paralysis is ascending (hind legs are affected first)
    • Progressive paralysis until completely incapacitated
    • May only affect one side causing the hedgehog to consistently tip over or fall to one side
    • Limbs become rigid and stiff
    • Unilateral exophthalmos (protrusion or bulging of one eye)
    • Seizures and tremors
    • Muscle atrophy  (wasting)
    • Dysphagia (problem with swallowing)
    • Scoliosis (abnormal spine curvature)
    • Abrasions on the feet from dragging legs
    • In rare cases, self mutilation
    • Complications of WHS
      • Animal may be hindered to eat due to inability to move
        • Weight loss
• The disease could relapse or be remitting in early stages (Grasser)
• A majority of WHS cases exhibit a gradual onset but some cases progress relatively rapidly.

What is NOT Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome

VIDEO.:  Symptoms that can mimic WHS

• Due to the commonality and overlap of these symptoms many people may sometimes confuse other diseases, disorders, or illnesses for WHS.
• Similar syndromes
  • Inner ear infection
  • Semi-hibernation
    • A result of the temperature dropping below 70 (temperature for a hedgehog should be between 72-80)
    • This is the most common cause of “wobbliness”
    • Please read our Hibernation and Estivation and Temperature Requirementsarticles for more information regarding false hibernation.

• Skeletal problems
  • Intense calcification of the bone can cause progressive wobbliness
  • Broken legs (diagnosed via x-ray)
  • Overgrown nails can make it difficult to walk
  • Spinal compressions from falling or other spinal cord injury
  • Spondylosis(intervertebral disc disease) 
  • Arthritis (degenerative joint disease)
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Discospondylitis (infection of the spinal vertebrae and intervertebral disc)
  • Osteomyelitis
  • An infection or inflammation of the bone
    • Bone marrow, cortex, and periosteum; surrounding soft tissues may also be affected.
    • May be caused by trauma or bacteremia
• Neurological Condition
  • Unlike WHS, a stroke will give a rapid onset of wobbliness
  • Tumors of the brain and spinal cord
  • Septic Meningoencephalitis (infection or inflammation of the membrane that covers and protects the brain and spinal cord)
    • Caused by bacteria in the bloodstream.
    • Streptococcus pneumoniae and meningococcus are the two bacteria most causes of infection
    • Read more: http://www.ehow.com/facts_5521472_meningitis-septic-vs-aseptic.html#ixzz2hngaeSpz
    • Brain and spinal cord (Nakata, Miwa, Itou, Uchida, Nakayama, Sakai, 2011_pdf (jst.go.jp) )
• Tumors in other portions of the body can lead to wobbliness (such as the abdomen)
• Nutritional deficiencies (these are again under scrutiny about whether or not prolonged deficiency will cause WHS)
  • Often the case when multiple hedgehogs are affected (Kreger)
  • Usually occurs when hedgehogs are raised on unsupplemented cat food (Kreger)
  • Some white muscle diseases may respond to selenium therapy, but this disease is rare in hedgehogs
  • Very little is known about correct dosages for hedgehogs

Possible Causes of Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome

There are numerous theories about the causes behind WHS, which will be outlined below (none of these are proven, though there is some scientific proof behind some).

• Genetic/Heritability

• • According to Michael Garner, DVM, Dipl ACVP, and Donnasue Graesser, PhD, cluster patterns in family lineages are apparent, but the occurrence of the disease in different species of hedgehogs suggests that heritability may be influenced by dietary or environmental factors or infectious agents. It must be noted that an infectious agent such as a virus can be transmitted by integration into the subtelomeric region of the chromosome. Thus, an infectious agent like a virus, the cause of multifocal leukoencephalopathy can be transmitted “genetically.”

  • Others believe that WHS is triggered by a mutated allele (form of a gene) and that TWO copies are needed to acquire the disease.  All offspring would not inherit the mutated allele should the parent happen to develop WHS.
  • However, many experts either fail to support the above theory in their writings and there is little evidence a recessive gene is at work. 
  • Familial connections may have more to do with infection and viral latency than a recessive or mutant gene.
• Infections
  • Infections may be fungal, viral, or bacterial in nature.
  • A weakened immune system allows an infectious agent to thrive.
  • Demyelinating diseases are usually caused by viruses (Hesselink) as in the case of multiple sclerosis.
  • It is likely that since virus are usually the cause of inclusions in the renal epithelium, it is quite possible virus is being sexually transmitted
  • However, no virus has been linked to WHS.

• Diet
  • In more recent years, diet has become a controversy due to a lack of vitamins, minerals or other nutrients in the food.
  • Some breeders have seen success of at least slowing the progression of WHS with treatments of vitamin E.  However this slowing progression is not permanent as a resistance to vitamin E will form and the disease will continue
  • However in one study, there was no correlation noted between the disease and diet (Garner and Graesser, 2006)
  • Many breeders currently still disagree on the diet; however, most breeders agree that a hedgehog should be fed a high quality diet (see Diet section for more on hedgehog diet).
• Environment
  • Even less research has gone onto the environmental factors that can be a cause of WHS
  • Toxins in the environment can also cause similar brain lesions.
  • Allergens can also be a source of severe stress to the body.

• Other Diseases
  • Some cases of WHS are usually followed by a different disease (cancer, fatty liver disease)
  • This leads some speculation to the chicken and egg question:  which came first, the chicken or the egg?  Which comes first, WHS or the other malady?
    

Diagnosis

• Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome (WHS) can only be diagnosed post-mortem
  • After death, a necropsy and histoanalysis of brain and spinal cord tissue must be performed to confirm if it is WHS
  • There are no gross lesions of the central nervous system (Graesser)
  • Presence of  leukoencephalopathy
    • Damage or degeneration of the white matter of the brain.
    • Leuko = white, encephalo = brain, pathy = disease or abnormal condition)
    • Leukoencephalopathy is a clinical sign in numerous disorders of both animals and humans, therefore does not indicate a specific relationship to an injury, disease or disorder.
    • According to Grasser:

Some possible causes of leukoencephalopathy are toxins, radiation, autoimmunity, infectious agents, and numerous genetic conditions.  Even within “genetic” causes of leukoencephalopathies ,there are metabolic disorders (defects in the genes or enzymes involved in metabolic pathways), dysmyelinating diseases (defects within the genes that code for the structural proteins of myelin), lysosomal storage diseases, and others. There are over 40 documented lysosomal storage diseases alone.

• • Cell vacuolization of the gray matter of brain and spinal cord
  • Spongiosis (abnormal circulation or accumulation of fluid) in the ventral columns of the spinal cord (Graesser)
  • Air pockets are present in the brain and spinal cord.
  • There is demyelination and/or axonal degeneration confined to the central nervous system.

• The liver is also affected and is enlarged and pale. (Garner and Graesser, 2006)
• According to Dr. Garner and Grasser, 2006 clear inclusions are seen routinely in the renal tubular epithelial cells of affected animals, and the significance of these relative to the CNS lesions is being investigated.
• Most WHS cases are also reported to have other critical illnesses present at the time of necropsy that could cause death in and of itself.  Therefore, WHS be not the main cause of death even though the hedgehog may have lesions consistent with WHS.
• Hedgehogs are often described as dying from WHS when in fact they did not have brain lesions consistent with multifocal leukoencephalopathy but simply had a wobbly gait when they passed or at some point during their illness.
• Most breeders do not consider an animal as having confirmed WHS without a necropsy report confirming the diagnosis.

Management

• There is currently NO cure however high quality of life can be maintained for many months after initial symptoms appear.
• Ensure your hedgehog has the highest quality diet possible.
• Some hedgehogs are able to eat on their own for quite some time but as the disease progresses hand feeding will become necessary.
• Be certain the ailing hedgehog has enough fluids and that your hedgehog is eliminating their waste properly.
• Weigh your hedgehog regularly.
• Make sure that your hedgehog is warm.
• Homeopathic remedies are also a possibility. Laura used an alternative treatment plan for her Tommy and has given us permission to use an article posted on her website.  We appreciate her dedication to helping sick hedgehogs.
• Massage therapies promote muscle tone
• Maze activities improve coordination.
• Syringe feeding is necessary when hedgehogs can no longer eat without assistance.
• Euthanasia is recommended when quality of life cannot be maintained.
  • We believe that learning more about WHS will help others in the future.  A necropsy (autopsy) should be discussed with your veterinarian and plans need to be made to prepare for when your hedgehog passes.  Again, we appreciate Laura allowing us to use her articles that are posted on her website.

Diet Changes

• All dietary changes should be made under the direct supervision of your veterinarian. Please note that a change in diet can cause stomach upset and diarrhea.
• Ensure that all food is high quality with little added ingredients.
• Offer live insects from the pet store.
• Feeding  fresh fruits and vegetables is often recommended by hedgehog enthusiasts.
  • However, according to The Journal of Nutrition hedgehogs are unable to use plant matter as fiber. They have been designed with the digestive enzyme chitinase and have the ability to utilize the exoskeleton of insects (the source of chitin) as their fiber source.
  • For this reason many veterinarians and hedgehog breeders do not recommend feeding fruits and vegetables to a hedgehog. The plant matter goes undigested and can cause impaction. http://jn.nutrition.org/content/128/12/2671S.full
• Plain baked chicken or turkey breast.  Some cat food brands have canned, all natural 100% cooked chicken.
• Owners who have cared for ailing hedgehogs have used supplements on a daily or bi-weekly basis.
  • Phosphorous free calcium supplement
  • Vitamin E  – helps hide the effects of WHS but is not a cure
  • Selenium
  • Fish oils
  • Probiotics and enzymes
  • Multivitamins that include Zinc and Selenium

Breeding Dilemmas

• Time has shown that any breeder can have a case of WHS show up in their herd at any given time.  No breeder is immune.
• Accurate record keeping is important for any breeding program.
• Breeders must retain records concerning all confirmed cases of Wobbly Hedgehog Syndromes that are related to their herd.
• Breeders have a wide range of opinions as to how to change or alter their breeding program if a case of Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome is confirmed in their lines.
•  Some breeders choose to stay clear of any lineage that has confirmed cases. Doing so is nearly impossible but if it is viral infection, a latent virus can be transmitted on a chromosome or a virus can be shed as a sexually transmitted disease.  In this case staying away from all WHS lineage is probably the best way of preventing transmission.
• However, WHS may be a latent virus that only affects hedgehogs that are immunocompromised from another disease that the hedgehog would have died from without having Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome. WHS is not an epidemic. In some regard, perhaps survival of the fittest is keeping WHS in check all on its own.
• Most veterinary experts agree that it is unwise to retire or cull all ancestors, siblings, and offspring from a breeding program if a WHS case is identified.  By eliminating all familiar ancestry from a breeding colony, the colony will have limited genetic diversity, which will become a determinate to breeding programs.
• Each breeder must decide how a positive Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome case somewhere in their lines will affect their breeding program.  The cause and/or transmission of WHS is still unknown so there are few guidelines to evaluate a “good” or “bad” breeding program.

Primary Authors: Gail Smith, Millermeade Farm’s Critter Connection and Niki Sprauer, Rose City Hedgehogs

Contributors:
Lori Keller, Hedgehog Adoption Coordinator, Melissa Ramos, Coley Emde

Dr. Tom Klein,  East Hilliard Veterinary Services
3993 Brown Park Dr
Hilliard OH 43026
614-876-7762

References:

Garner, M. and Graesser, D. 2006. Wobbly hedgehog syndrome: a neurodegenerative disease of African and European Hedgehogs. Association of Avian Veterinarians Proceedings.  Session 131 Wobbly hedgehog syndrome: a neurodegenerative disease of African and European Hedgehogs

Nakata, M., Miwa, Y., Itou, T., Uchida, K., Nakayama, H., and Sakai, T. 2011. Astrocytoma in an African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris): suspected wobbly hedgehog syndrome. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science. _pdf (jst.go.jp)

Lawn RM, Boonmark NW, Schwartz K, et al. The recurring evolution of lipoprotein(a): insights from cloning of hedgehog apolipoprotein(a). J Biol Chem. 1995;270:24004–24009. The Recurring Evolution of Lipoprotein(a): INSIGHTS FROM CLONING OF HEDGEHOG APOLIPOPROTEIN(a) – ScienceDirect

Palmer AC, Blakemore WF, Franklin RJ, et al. Paralysis in hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) associated with demyelination. Vet Rec. 1998;153:550–552. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/13434096_Paralysis_in_hedgehogs_Erinaceus_europaeus_associated_with_demyelination

(This article is no longer available, I tried and you can’t even request the full one any longer. I believe it’s because since this study they know WHS is a progressive disease so the article is no longer even relevant?)

Graesser D, Spraker TR, Gavier-Widen D. Wobbly hedgehog syndrome in African pygmy and European hedgehogs. Proc Eur Hedgehog Res Group. 2004;6:5.

How common is this condition in general and how often do you see it in your animals?

This is a HIGHLY debated topic among breeders and owners.  I’m on the very conservative side.  I’m a researchaholic and I study and research and talk to veterinarians and I have many vet friends.  The general belief of my resources is that true WHS is a very low percentage of hedgehogs.  There are MANY hedgehogs who are assumed to have WHS that in fact have other problems.  Many problems that have the same signs and symptoms are treatable.  My stance (through my research) is that you must rule out other possibilities before assuming WHS.  I kind of compare it to human vomiting.  Just because you vomit doesn’t mean you have stomach cancer.  You could have ridden a ride at the fair too many times, have a virus, have food poisoning, have the flu, etc.  The root of the problem is most important.

Also, the cause of WHS is under great scrutiny.  The necropsy reports that I have seen also have serious other conditions that in themselves could be fatal.  Many believe that a weakened immune system opens the door for WHS.

We use a food that higher folic acid than other foods.  Folic  build the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, nerves) as well as build all cells to protect at cell damage.

I believe that NO herd is immune but each breeder should track confirmed  WHS cases and those who may not have a necropsy but all other similar disease and/or problems have been ruled out by a veterinarian.

Final Comments

• Some believe that good hedgehog breeders can prevent WHS in their herd by breeding “clean” or WHS free lines.
• A professionally maintained hedgehog registry of pet and breeding animals would allow breeders to track animals with confirmed cases of WHS and other illnesses. 
• Unfortunately, hedgehog enthusiasts are so passionate about their animals that “hedgehog politics” have prevented a consolidated data program.

The following information was written by Laura Ledet who has graciously given us permission to use the following information directly from her website.

Copyright © 1999 – Laura Ledet – All Rights Reserved

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS

I tried numerous alternative treatments with Tommy. He saw a total of 2 regular Vets and 2 holistic Vets, underwent chiropractic treatment for a few months as well. I also consulted an Animal Communicator by the name of Elizabeth Severino via the Internet (a wonderful woman by the way). Tommy was on a number of homeopathic remedies, and though these didn’t cure him, they very well may have extended and given a higher quality to his life. The following shows the regimen he was on:

• DAY ONE: Bellis Perennis 30c; one tab dissolved in 1/2 tsp. water, 4 drops given orally via eye dropper. Repeat dose 3 times; morning, noon and night.
• DAY TWO: Arnica Montana 30C; one tab dissolved in 1/2 tsp. water, given orally via eye dropper. 15 minutes later massage Star of Bethlehem Flower Essence down entire spinal column and on top of the head. One hour later, give one tab Hypericum Perforatum 30X dissolved in 1/2 tsp. water orally via eye dropper.
• DAY THREE: Hypericum Perforatum 30X; one tab dissolved in 1/2 tsp. water. Repeat this dosage 4 times throughout the day. Star of Bethlehem; 2 drops in drinking water.
• DAY FOUR: Star of Bethlehem; message onto head and down entire spinal column.>br>
• DAY FIVE: Hypericum Perforatum 30C; one tab dissolved in 1/2 tsp. water, taken orally, repeating this dose 4 times throughout the day. One tab Mag/Phos 6X; dissolved in 1/2 tsp. water administered 1/2 hour after the hypericum. Star of Bethlehem; message onto head and down entire spinal column.
• DAY SIX: Hypericum Perforatum; one tab, 1 dose, as prepared above. Mag/Phos 6X; one tab, 1 dose as above. Star of Bethlehem; message on top of head and down spinal column.
• DAY SEVEN: Mag/Phos 6X; one tab, 1 dose, prepared as above. Star of Bethlehem; message on top of head and down spinal column.

*Check with your local health food stores for homeopathic supplies.

Tommy was also on a regimen of daily B-complex injections for 10 days, shortly after he became ill, and was given mega-C vitamin drops daily thereafter.

UPON THE NATURAL DEATH OF YOUR HEDGEHOG AND EUTHANASIA (WHAT TO DO)

I would like to inject my own personal thoughts about euthanasia. I truly believe it is the most loving final gift you can give your pet if he or she is obviously suffering and has no quality of life left to live. WHS is a fatal disease, and I have seen hedgehogs that were paralyzed still live quality lives because their owners were able to provide that for them. Some are not that fortunate. People working long hours may feel it is unfair to leave their pet lying helpless every day, unattended. The decision is definitely an individual one. However, please let me urge all of you to consider two things:

1. Please make sure your Vet gasses your hedgehog BEFORE injecting the euthanasia drug into him. This way, your little one will be peacefully sleeping when the needle is inserted into his heart or abdomen. No Vet will ever convince me that it is anything less then cruel to give this injection to a animal who is awake and able to feel pain of that needle.
2. Lastly, I always hold my animals as they leave this world. Do not let your Vet tell you that you cannot go back with them to put your pet to sleep. If they will not allow this, go elsewhere if at all possible. I would strongly urge you to find out what your Vets policies are regarding this BEFORE anything happens. To speak softly to my animals during their last moments on this earth is my last gift to them. No one should have to die in the hands of strangers. By saying this you might be thinking that I find euthanasia an easy experience to get through. Trust me, it isn’t…but it is what I feel I owe the animal companions who have shared my life, and my love. The tears always come later, and it never gets any easier to say goodbye.

IF YOUR HEDGEHOG DIES AT HOME

The following information was taken from the following website: Wobbly Hedgehog Necropsy   No longer active

One way to gain something positive from the experience of caring for a hedgehog with WHS is to schedule a necropsy (autopsy) to determine if he or she did indeed have WHS. There is a strong genetic component to this disease, and any data we can collect to track it may someday help to stop it. At the very least, if you have access to your hedgehog’s breeder, you can inform the breeder of the necropsy results and hopefully encourage the cessation of further breeding from that hedgehog’s bloodlines. The breeder can then notify the owners of any other offspring from that line.

If you simply want an answer to the question, “Did my hedgehog have WHS?” any veterinary pathologist can answer that question for you. Please discuss this in advance with your veterinarian; your veterinarian should ask a pathologist to examine the histopathology of the brain and spinal cord for lesions, as well as any other organs that might have contributed to the pathology of this animal.

This means brain and spinal cord tissue will be dissected, fixed in formalin, and stained to examine the tissue microscopically. The pathologist will report a general description of the tissues. Most pathologists are not yet familiar with the term “WHS” and may not give a diagnosis of Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome. WHS is caused by damage to the fatty myelin sheath that insulates nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. In addition, WHS involves degeneration of the axons of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The pathologist as may describe the WHS lesions:

• “Leukoencephalopathy”: Damage to the myelin that forms the white matter in the brain.
• “Spongiform Changes”: Changes that make the nervous tissue (brain and spinal cord) look like a holey sponge
• “Demyelination”: Loss of myelin, which is the covering of the nerves that allows for smooth and rapid transmission of impulses.
• “Axonal Degeneration”: Evidence that axons of nerve cells have been damaged or destroyed.
• “Neuropathy”: Disease that affects the nerves.

It is imperative that the tissues be fresh. This is why your veterinarian should know that you plan to have a necropsy done, and should prepare the tissues for the pathologist as soon as possible after your hedgehog passes away.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If your hedgehog should die at home, do NOT put the body in the freezer! Ice crystals will form inside the cells and interfere with the histopathology results. Wrap the body in paper towels, place in a loosely closed plastic bag, and store in the refrigerator until you can take the body to your veterinarian or pack it for immediate shipping.

The price range for a necropsy is usually between $50-$150, depending on your individual veterinarian and the pathology lab used.