Hedgehog veterinary care in Nashville
Hedgehogs hide illness under their quills, so weight loss, a change in the way they walk, or a smell from the mouth is often the first thing a family notices. Dr. Kopp is an exotic companion mammal specialist and sees African pygmy hedgehogs and other pet hedgehogs at Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital in Antioch, for primary care and referral cases.
A rolled-up hedgehog can't be fully examined while awake, so many visits need a sedated exam. We'll talk that through with you, along with any treatment that rests on limited evidence. For home care, see wobbly hedgehog syndrome and hedgehog care.
Wobbly hedgehog syndrome and neurologic disease
If your hedgehog is wobbling, weak, falling, or having trouble using the hind legs, give us a call. Wobbly hedgehog syndrome, a progressive neurologic disease, is one possible cause, but at the evaluation we also consider others, including ear disease, trauma, nutrition problems, and masses. Dr. Kopp is trained to treat these neurologic problems, and supportive care, pain control, and a plan for eating and moving are built around what your hedgehog can still do.
- Wobbly hedgehog syndrome evaluation
- Ataxia, paresis, and other neurologic disorders
- Sedated exams and imaging when indicated
- Supportive care and palliative care
Hedgehog oral cancer and cancer care
Oral squamous cell carcinoma is a common tumor in hedgehogs. If you notice drooling, a swollen jaw, blood from the mouth, or weight loss, call (615) 361-4646 while the hospital is open. We also see skin, mammary, and uterine tumors and lymphoma, and Dr. Kopp is trained to treat these cancers. If it's cancer, we'll go over all the options, including surgery, chemotherapy, and comfort care, and build a plan around your pet and your family's goals. When radiation therapy is indicated, we arrange it through a referral facility.
- Oral squamous cell carcinoma and other oral tumors
- Cutaneous, mammary, and uterine tumors
- Lymphoma
- Cytology, biopsy, and imaging for staging when indicated
- Tumor removal and ovariohysterectomy when indicated
- Comfort care
- Palliative care and cancer pain control
Hedgehog dental disease and oral infection
Periodontal disease and oral infection can look like a tumor until the mouth is examined under sedation. Call if your hedgehog is dropping food, losing weight, or has a foul smell from the mouth. We can take skull and dental radiographs right here in the hospital.
- Dental and periodontal disease
- Oral infections
- Sedated oral exams
- Skull and dental radiographs taken in the hospital for dental evaluation
Hedgehog skin and quills
Quill loss, itch, crusts, or hairless patches of skin can be mites, ringworm, or another infection. Ringworm can pass to people. Bring a note about new bedding and whether anyone in the home has a rash.
- Mites and dermatophytosis
- Quill loss and skin infections
- Skin scrapings and fungal testing when indicated
Hedgehog reproductive disease and surgery
Uterine disease is one reason some hedgehogs are spayed. We perform ovariohysterectomy and other soft-tissue surgery, including tumor removal, when it's the right treatment, and we plan anesthesia knowing the hedgehog may already be losing weight.
- Reproductive and uterine disease
- Ovariohysterectomy
- Tumor removal and other soft-tissue surgery
Hedgehog GI, liver, and respiratory disease
A hedgehog that stops eating can have dental disease, cancer, liver disease, or a gut problem. Green or soft stool, a big belly, or labored breathing needs a call. Obesity and diet are reviewed, because extra weight makes anesthesia and mobility harder. Pneumonia and other respiratory infections are treated as urgent when the hedgehog is working to breathe.
- Gastrointestinal disease and hepatic disease
- Obesity and nutrition counseling
- Respiratory infection and pneumonia
- Bloodwork and imaging when indicated
Hedgehog anesthesia and emergency care
Sedated exams and imaging are a routine part of hedgehog medicine. During anesthesia, a dedicated anesthesia technician monitors ECG, oxygen levels, carbon dioxide, blood pressure, and temperature. Pain control and palliative care matter a lot for hedgehogs with cancer or wobbly hedgehog syndrome, and Dr. Kopp is also a Fellow in Companion Animal Pain Management (FABVP-CAPM). If your hedgehog is collapsed, cold, or breathing with its mouth open, call before you drive. We may be able to see emergency cases during hospital hours, but always call first at (615) 361-4646.
- Sedated exams and imaging
- Anesthetic planning and monitoring
- Pain management, palliative care, and geriatric care
- Emergency care if we can take the case
Dr. Kopp's background
Dr. Logan Kopp grew up in Nashville and earned his veterinary degree at the University of Tennessee. He's board-certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Exotic Companion Mammal Practice, DABVP (ECM), and he's the only veterinarian currently practicing in Tennessee with that certification. He's also a Fellow in Companion Animal Pain Management (FABVP-CAPM).
If you're a veterinarian, here's how to refer a patient.
What a visit is like
Bring your hedgehog in a secure carrier with a hide. A recent weight helps, and if your hedgehog is wobbling, a short video of the walk is helpful if you have one. Many procedures wait until the hedgehog can be sedated safely, so the first visit may be an assessment and a plan for that sedation.
When to call
Call while the hospital is open if your hedgehog:
- Is wobbling, falling, or weaker in the hind legs
- Is losing weight, drooling, or bleeding from the mouth
- Has a new lump, quill loss, or crusted skin
- Is breathing hard, collapsed, or cold
- Has stopped eating
We're open Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM, and closed on weekends. Visits are by appointment, so please call (615) 361-4646 before you come in, even for an emergency. During those hours we can usually accept urgent transfers from primary care veterinarians, and we may be able to see emergency cases. After hours, exotic companion mammal consults go through Veterinary Emergency Group in Franklin, Murfreesboro, and West Nashville. And please don't give your pet any human pain medicine.
To book, call Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital at (615) 361-4646.