I think she's got WHS :(

[Bumblebean]

My Nokia has been walking AWFULLY funny lately. It started out very slight, and I sort of kept an eye on it, hoping I was just imagining things... but it's turned into a fullblown wobble. It seems, from the way she walks, that she has a hard time supporting herself on her legs, as if her knees are buckling under her or something. She otherwise has her usual silly and curious demeanor, though.

I don't have the money to get her into the vet immediately, but I promise you I'm saving up :( In the meantime, please help. What can I expect? How fast does this spread? Will she die? Will I have to put her down? Is she in pain? What will the vet do for her once I get her in? What, if anything, can I do to keep it at bay, or keep her happy?

Links to informative websites would be helpful, and if anyone has personal experiences and advice they could share, I would really appreciate it :(

[CaptainWhitaker]

Please bear in mind that just because Nokia is wobbling, it doesn't necessarily mean WHS.


http://wobblyhedgehog.org gives a lot of good information. Warning, the video can be a bit heartbreaking, so use caution in it. However, don't jump to conclusions just yet. Several things can mimic WHS, including one condition (if I'm not mistaken. Someone correct me if I'm wrong) that mimics WHS symptoms to a T, but this condition will pass over time. I'm not 100% sure of that, but I HAVE read it several times.

Whatever the outcome, know that we're all thinking of you and Nokia. Please keep us informed if you happen to find something out!

[Ododad]

Please bear in mind that just because Nokia is wobbling, it doesn't necessarily mean WHS.


http://wobblyhedgehog.org gives a lot of good information. Warning, the video can be a bit heartbreaking, so use caution in it. However, don't jump to conclusions just yet. Several things can mimic WHS, including one condition (if I'm not mistaken. Someone correct me if I'm wrong) that mimics WHS symptoms to a T, but this condition will pass over time. I'm not 100% sure of that, but I HAVE read it several times.

Whatever the outcome, know that we're all thinking of you and Nokia. Please keep us informed if you happen to find something out!
Agreed.

[Nancy]

How old is Nokia?

My first concern with any type of wobble is temperature. Is her environment warm enough? If you don't already try a human heating pad on low under one end of her cage. See if some extra warmth helps. This time of year is especially bad for semi hibernations. The days are still warm yet the nights dip down cool.

How is she eating/drinking and eliminating?

There are many things that can mimic WHS.... ear infection, Vestibular syndrome, stroke, nutritional deficiencies, etc.

Vestibular Syndrome is what Captain Whitaker is talking about and yes, it will pass in time but don't assume that is the problem. It could be something as simple as an ear infection which gets worse unless it is treated.

She really should see a vet ASAP so something simple and easily treated does not become something chronic. :)

[hedgie girls]

We are keeping Nokia in our prayers and thoughts. A vet visit is called for here as soon as you can. The reason why I say this is because one of hedgies started to wobble, fall over, not eat, didn't drink and started to claw at her head causing small open areas. We could not get her in because it started on a Sat. and the vet was closed until Monday. She had a real bad ear infection by then and had green stuff in her ears.
Keep us posted on Nokia. Hedgie hugs from the girls.

Cyndy

[Bumblebean]

She is eating, drinking, and pooping just fine. She's even still using her litterbox even though she seems to have a little bit harder time getting into it. Her personality is just like it always was, and the only single difference in her behavior is the way she's walking. Is that a good sign?

I keep an eye on the temperature and everything seems to be fine, and also my other hedgehog that lives with her isn't walking funny or anything.

I will get her into the vet as soon as I can.

[Nancy]

Some hogs are more temperature sensitive than others. What is comfortable for one may be too cool for another.
It probably isn't temp related although a heating pad is worth a try.

[Pringlesmom]

I hope Nokia will be alright. WHS is scary. Let us know what the vet says. You are in my thoughts.

[Lauren]

If you check out an article at http://www.hedgehogworld.com/content/view/54/42/ (http://www.hedgehogworld.com/content/view/54/42/) it discusses some of the different health issues that mimic the WHS but are not WHS, like Nancy said.

Also one of my females (Rosie) has a problem keeping herself warm so she needs a heating pad under her cage that is always constantly on. She would have problems walking because she would get so cold, and the other hedgehogs which are in the same room are totally fine with the temperature where it is at.

[aylmer]

got my hedgehog 2 days ago and was okay, but now wobbling and shaking while it moves? What could this possibly be?