Evening everyone, I just took my dog out for his usual walk, but he wasn’t himself tonight from the moment he picked something up in his mouth. Normally he comes back as soon as I call him, but I could tell he really wanted to keep hold of what he’d found; it was a stinking dead hedgehog that he’d bitten into, and he might have even eaten a bit of it (he had it in his mouth for about 15 minutes). Since it was dark and I couldn’t see what it was, I was a bit slow to react. The main worry is that he’s only 10 weeks old and has only had his first set of jabs. Is it possible for a dead hedgehog to pass on some kind of disease or be dangerous for my puppy? Thanks in advance for your help!
Translated from French
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Hedgehogs are insectivores, not rodents...
The biggest risks with carrion are maggots (sorry @Mariegame, I’ve accidentally copied you there!) which can be ingested, or spoiled meat which can cause an upset stomach.
There are probably other issues as well, but those are the ones that spring to mind right now.
The hedgehog was stinking, so the risk of fleas is pretty much zero.
But depending on how decomposed the carcass was, he might have ingested maggots or other parasites that live on dead animals.
You need to keep a close eye on your dog. If it were mine, I’d give my vet a ring for some advice.
Hedgehogs are well known for being riddled with fleas. If your dog is already up to date with their flea treatment—whether that's an oral tablet or a spot-on—then it’s really not an issue. If they aren't protected, pop into your vet’s to pick up some tablets or spot-on treatments, whichever you prefer!
The only serious illness that can be passed on by hedgehogs is leptospirosis. Keep an eye on your dog over the next few days anyway, but don't worry too much!
And it's going to be tricky to monitor the diarrhoea at the moment because, with his change of dry food and this hot spell, he’s already had it a few times! Thanks a lot for the info.
I’ve checked her skin and her mouth; she wasn't bothered by any spines and the hedgehog was bone dry as it was hollowed out and must have been dead for a fair while already. I think she’ll be fine on that front, it’s more the diseases it might carry that I’m worried about as I don’t really know much about hedgehogs.
You should always keep a close eye on a dog that’s been in contact with a rodent. There’s that nasty business of leptospirosis to keep in mind. If your dog vomits, has diarrhoea, or shows signs of jaundice over the next few days, see your vet straight away! This evening, he might just have some discomfort in his mouth if the hedgehog’s spines have irritated his tongue and the roof of his mouth.
