Campylobacter jejuni

[paris26]

Has anyone treated their hedgehog for this? I ran a fecal sample in to the vet this morning from Tico and that's what it came back as! I about dropped the phone because I never would have guessed campylobacter! My vet was pretty suprised too, they did two fecals to make sure. Tico is on an antibiotic twice daily for the next 10 days. That should be fun because he is pretty shy :|
Tico is getting up there in hedgie years, he's almost 4 now

[Nancy]

Poor Tico. :( I've never heard of that before so can't make any comments other than get well soon Tico. :)

[Iluvhedgies]

what is Campylobactor jejuni? Whatever it is, i hope tico gets well soon!

[chinchilla_boy]

It sounds like one of those words that 12 year old kids spell correctly at those national spelling bee contests. :rolleyes: C. jejuni (http://www.safewater.org/facts/campylobacter.htm)

[paris26]

LOL! It is a hard word to spell!
Campylobacter is an intestinal bacteria. Some animals are natural carriers and it can also be an environmental factor as well. Tico has an overgrowth which caused the mucousy bloody diarrhea I found this morning.
Thanks for the well wishes

[Love4Hedgies]

Aw I hope Tico starts feeling better soon!!

[PrettyHate]

Good lord- that is one intimidating looking word!
I hope your boy is feeling better soon!

[paris26]

Well Tico is being a difficult patient. He's on a hunger strike and refuses to eat any of his dry kibble, so for the last 3 days I've been syringe feeding him canned A/D, chicken baby food, strawberry Boost, and pedialyte. He has the stinkiest poos I've ever smelled and I'm hoping that these antibiotics are going to start working. He's a trooper and I'm just a worry wort mom
At least Tico and I get some serious one on one time and he's learned that butt bathes are a good thing :)

[Kalandra]

Tawana, if you aren't, you may want to try to add some good bacteria back to his system in between antibiotic doses. It will help with the smell some.. I'm having similar problems with Bianca right now... I had to start syringe feeding her this morning. Has the blood gotten any better in his stools? PM or email me if you prefer :)

[paris26]

Tico went in this morning to see his regular vet for a full workup. We did x-rays, bloodwork, fluids-the whole nine yards. The campylobacter is still present but it was also masking an incredibly high white blood cell count along with several lymphoblasts in his bloodwork. To translate, it is very likely that Tico has intestinal lyphoma :| The x-rays showed very thick intestines and some enlarged glands in his throat. He's finished with his antibiotics and now he's on steroids and fluids to slow the cancer until he is hydrated enough to get more blood for further tests.

Please keep Tico in your thoughts and hug your hedgehog! I'm not sure how much time Tico has left with me, but I'm not ready to give up on him