Endoparasites

Strong healthy hedgehogs in the wild usually live with a moderate number of internal parasites, but in a weak or sickly hedgehog they can lead to death. Hedgehogs can get worms by eating infected snails, slugs, earthworms or black beetles.

There is not a single medication that will kill all worms. Some are more affective than others.

Panacur is effective for flukes, nematodes, tapeworms and Capillaria (lungworms)
Telmin is effective for flukes, nematodes, Capillaria and Crenosoma but less effective against tapeworms.
Droncit is effective in treating Fluke, tapeworm and Thorny-Headed worm
Levamisole (Levacide) is effective against Crenosoma, nematodes and Thorny-Headed worm.

In most cases it is not necessary to kill all the worms, just to get them down to a level that the hedgehog can cope with. In our experience once the hedgehog is back in the wild it will become reinfected.

Diagnosis via microscope to establish infestation. All will cause loss of appetite and severe weight loss, diarrhoea, anaemia and possible blood in droppings. Intestinal worms can be associated with bacterial infections of the gut and therefore antibiotic cover is needed.

LUNGWORM
Causes wheezing, coughing, snuffling, respiratory distress with loss of appetite and weight. Is frequently linked to secondary bacterial infection with profuse mucus in airways. Dead worms, eggs and larvae must be coughed up or they will block the airways and cause death.
Levacide - 2 injections given sub cut 28 hours apart.
Millophyline given sub cut and Bisolvon powder in food is useful to dissolve the mucus and bring up dead worms. Appropriate antibiotic cover will be needed. A saline nebuliser is also helpful in clearing airways.