Wobbly hedgehog syndrome
Encyclopedia
Wobbly hedgehog syndrome (WHS) is a disease found in the African Pygmy domesticated hedgehog
. It characterises of vacuolization
of the grey matter of the brain and spinal cord that leads to neurogenic muscle atrophy. There is no inflammation of the central nervous system associated with WHS. The cause of WHS is unknown, but familial tendency to the disease has been indicated.
There is no known cure for WHS. Vitamin E hides the effects of WHS, but does not slow the disease. A resistance to vitamin E will form and the effects of the disease will continue.
Domesticated hedgehog
The most common species of domesticated hedgehog is the African Pygmy hedgehog, a hybrid of the White-bellied or Four-toed Hedgehog and the Algerian Hedgehog . It is smaller than the European Hedgehog, and thus is sometimes called African Pygmy Hedgehog...
. It characterises of vacuolization
Vacuolization
Vacuolization is the formation of vacuoles within or adjacent to cells, and, in dermatopathology, often refers to the basal cell-basement membrane zone area....
of the grey matter of the brain and spinal cord that leads to neurogenic muscle atrophy. There is no inflammation of the central nervous system associated with WHS. The cause of WHS is unknown, but familial tendency to the disease has been indicated.
Symptoms and treatment
WHS slowly degrades the hedgehog's muscle control. This first appears as a wobble while the hedgehog is attempting to stand still. Over time, the hedgehog will lose control of all muscles from the rear of its body to the front.There is no known cure for WHS. Vitamin E hides the effects of WHS, but does not slow the disease. A resistance to vitamin E will form and the effects of the disease will continue.