# Hyperglycemia in Pet African Pygmy Hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris): Prevalence, Clinical Characteristics, and Prognostic Indicators of Severe Hyperglycemia

## TL;DR

This study found that nearly half of African pygmy hedgehogs had high blood sugar, with severe cases linked to anorexia and high mortality.

## Contribution

The study provides the first detailed analysis of hyperglycemia prevalence and prognostic indicators in African pygmy hedgehogs.

## Key findings

- Severe hyperglycemia prevalence in hedgehogs was 11.1%, with a 53.6% mortality rate.
- Anorexia severity on diagnosis day was significantly associated with mortality.
- Early glucose normalization improved outcomes in hedgehogs with severe hyperglycemia.

## Abstract

Hyperglycemia is known to negatively affect patients in both humans and various animal species. However, information on hyperglycemia in hedgehogs is extremely limited. This study investigated 252 African pygmy hedgehogs and 579 blood test results collected over a three-year period from a veterinary hospital. The frequency of hyperglycemic samples among all blood tests was 48.1% (278/579). Twenty-eight hedgehogs were identified with severe hyperglycemia, defined as blood glucose levels of 180 mg/dL or higher. The prevalence of severe hyperglycemia in hedgehogs was 11.1% (28/252). The most common clinical signs in these hedgehogs were anorexia and decreased activity. The mortality rate among these hedgehogs was 53.6% (15/28). Mortality in hedgehogs with severe hyperglycemia was significantly associated with the severity of anorexia on the day severe hyperglycemia was first identified. Additionally, recovery from severe hyperglycemia on the next blood test was associated with a favorable prognosis. These potential prognostic indicators may assist in the early prediction of outcomes and in determining clinical management strategies for hedgehogs with severe hyperglycemia.

Hyperglycemia is known to negatively affect various animal species, but data on African pygmy hedgehogs remain limited. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of hyperglycemia and evaluate the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of severe hyperglycemia (≥180 mg/dL) in hedgehogs. A retrospective review of medical records from 252 hedgehogs and 579 blood test results collected between 2019 and 2021 was performed. Among the 252 hedgehogs, 28 were identified with severe hyperglycemia, indicating a prevalence of 11.1%. The frequency of hyperglycemic samples among all blood tests was 48.1%, and that of severe hyperglycemia was 11.6%. In hedgehogs with severe hyperglycemia, the mean blood glucose level was 269.1 ± 81.6 mg/dL (range, 186–522), and the mortality rate was 53.6% (15/28). The severity of anorexia on the day of diagnosis was significantly associated with mortality (p = 0.013). Hedgehogs that recovered from hyperglycemia by the next test showed favorable outcomes (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that anorexia severity and early glucose normalization may serve as potential prognostic indicators and provide baseline data for improving the clinical management of hyperglycemia in hedgehogs.