Discovering that your hedgehog has cancer can be nerve-wracking, especially when there’s a strong emotional attachment. However, dusting off your disappointment and providing the best care possible for your beloved hedgehog could ensure a pleasurable last couple of months or weeks.

This article outlines what to do if your hedgehog has cancer by revealing the best care tips when your favorite quill baby is diagnosed with the popular potentially terminal disease. We also look into treatment options and long-term prognosis for the sick hedgehog. Let’s get started.

What To Do If Your Hedgehog Has Cancer

Consulting your vet to provide the best treatment available for the cancer-stricken hedgehog can be a good start. Providing healthy foods to boost their immune systems could arm the hedgehog to fight against cancer. You may opt for euthanasia during the latter stages of cancer when the hedgehog is in serious pain.

A cancer diagnosis can be devastating for your beloved hedgehog but it should not interfere with your ability to offer world-class care. If anything, hedgehogs should enjoy improved care after the cancer diagnosis because their state of health could be very fragile.

What Types of Cancer Are Common in Hedgehogs?

Hedgehogs may be prone to a wide range of cancers including facial and stomach cancers. Mammary gland tumors, lymphosarcoma, and oral squamous carcinoma are the most common types of cancers in pet hedgehogs.

Unfortunately, the majority of hedgehogs may suffer multiple cancerous tumors in different areas of their bodies. This can make treatments more complicated resulting in an increased risk of death when core internal organs are affected.

Mammary Gland Tumors in Hedgehogs

These are neoplasms that originate from the mammary glands of pet hedgehog breeds like the African Pygmy Hedgehog. The tumors are malignant and common in older female hedgehogs that have not been neutered.

Mammary gland adenocarcinoma is the most common cancer in pet hedgehogs and signs include tumors in the teats of females. The tumors originate from the abnormal replication of cells that make up the breast tissue. (Source)

Lymphosarcoma Tumors in Hedgehogs

This type of cancer involves the development of malignant tumors in critical hedgehog internal organs like the lymph nodes, bone marrow, liver, and spleen. The result is cancer in different areas including the eye, skin, and gastrointestinal tract of the hedgehog.

They are some of the most fatal types of hedgehog cancers due to their subtle signs and tendency to affect critical organs. The prognosis for stricken hedgehogs is poor at best unless detected early. (Source)

Oral Squamous Carcinoma in hedgehogs

These are malignant tumors in the hedgehog’s mouth and could affect areas like the tongue, gum line, and other parts of their oral cavity. The cancer is caused by environmental and hereditary factors because an affected parent hedgehog is likely to pass it onto its offspring.

Symptoms of hedgehog oral cancers include bleeding, discolored gum lines, oral tumors, and signs of pain when eating. Cancer often affects the hedgehog’s appetite levels and leads to additional side effects like bad breath, excessive salivation, and panting.

Hemolymphatic Tumors in hedgehogs

Leukemia and Lymphoma are the 2 common types of hemolymphatic tumors in hedgehogs. Lymphomas originate from the lymphoid tissues in the hedgehog while Leukemia typically arises from the bone marrow or spleen.

These tumors could be fatal, especially when discovered late and hedgehogs could only have a few weeks to live in some cases.

Genital Tumors in Hedgehogs

Proliferative uterine tumors or polyps are the most common types of genital tumors in hedgehogs. They are more common in females and often originate from their reproductive areas like the uterus. Signs may include hematuria, vaginal bleeding, and weight loss.

Genital tumors may affect hedgehogs as young as 2 years old, unlike most other cancers that become more prevalent when they reach the ages of 3 to 3.5 years old. (Source)

Signs of Hedgehog Tumors

Hedgehogs may suffer different kinds of tumors and the presence of these excess growths is typically the first sign of cancer. Depending on the type, the tumor may appear in the affected area and those that originate from external body parts such as the face, skin, or testicles are easily detected during physical examinations.

Tumors that develop in internal areas of the hedgehog’s body may be more difficult to detect and only become apparent through abnormal symptoms like bleeding. Additional symptoms of hedgehog cancers such as lethargy, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and abscesses may not be as clear-cut because they could also indicate other illnesses.

Cancers are usually detected by vets during physical and diagnostic tests to determine answers when hedgehogs begin displaying signs of illness. Lumps or tumors discovered are examined further via blood tests and biopsies to confirm the presence of cancer cells.

Treatment Options for Cancer in Hedgehogs

Hedgehog cancers may be treated via surgical removal of the lumps but that is only effective during the initial stages when the cancerous cells have not spread to other critical areas. Hedgehogs may also be treated via chemotherapy or radiation therapy to kill off cancerous cells.

In certain cancers, whole organs like the uterus or ovaries may be removed to save the stricken hedgehog’s life. Vets typically analyze the extent of the disease and additional factors like the hedgehog’s age to determine the best treatment.

Euthanasia may also be considered if the hedgehog has no real chance of beating cancer and has to live the rest of its life wallowing in debilitating pain.

How Long Do Hedgehogs Live With Cancer?

Cancer-stricken hedgehogs could live anywhere from a few weeks to up to a year depending on the type of cancer and how early it is detected. Hedgehogs typically live with cancer for several months even without displaying any signs.

You can always get an estimate of how much time your hedgehog may have left from your local vet. This can help you maximize the time spent together to ensure closure when they’re finally gone. Often, large tumors can indicate advanced cancer and your hedgehog’s remaining time alive could be limited.

Questions to the answers below could indicate a good prognosis.

• Does your hedgehog still play or engage in physically demanding activities?
• Are there any signs of pain?
• Is the hedgehog still eating?
• Is your hedgehog still pooping?
• Has your hedgehog’s weight plummeted?

How Long Do Hedgehogs Live After Cancer Treatment?

Again, early detection can make a huge difference in how long hedgehogs live after cancer treatment. There have been instances of hedgehogs living 3-4 years after the identification and removal of cancerous cells from different body areas.

If your hedgehog’s tumors were detected early, there’s a good chance of a long life ahead as long as cancer does not reappear. Cancer survival in hedgehogs is possible when treated early enough and this is why your pets should undergo routine checkups at least every 6 months.

Conclusion: What To Do If Your Hedgehog Has Cancer

Hedgehogs should receive the best form of treatment after a cancer diagnosis to prolong their lives when possible. Consulting your vet to find out the best treatment options available and the hedgehog’s prognosis can help you make the best decision.

Hedgehogs may be prone to many cancers including mammary gland tumors, oral squamous carcinoma, lymphosarcoma, and hemolymphatic tumors. These tumors could affect different areas of the body and may be treated via chemotherapy, radiation, or surgical removal.

Providing the best care possible for cancer-stricken hedgehogs could increase their chances of survival. Even if they don’t make it, their final days can be blissful and pleasant.