Respiratory Disease Symptoms of respiratory disease include oral or nasal discharge, sneezing, coughing, raspy breathing, and an increase in respiratory effor especially when the hedgehog is stressed. Respiratory disease can also result in a loss of appetite, lethargy, and sudden death. The primary cause of respiratory diease is bacterial infections. Common bacteria include Bordetella and Pasteurella. Other causes are viral and tumors of the lungs.
Respiratory problems can also be secondary to heart diease and other chest tumors.
Dusty cages and low environmental temperatures may predispose hedgehogs to respiratory diesase. Hedgehogs showing any symptoms of respiratory disease should be treated immediately because the disease can progress and become fatal quite quickly. Treatments include systemic antibiotics and supportive care. Supportive care includes keeping the hedgehog in a warm, clean, and quiet place and making sure the hedgehog continues to eat. If the hedgehog has completely stopped eating, force feeding may be necessary.