Causes of Admission, Mortality and Pathological Findings in European Hedgehogs: Reports from Two University Centers in Italy and Switzerland.

Autor: Prandi, Ilaria, Dervas, Eva, Colombino, Elena, Bonaffini, Giuseppe, Zanet, Stefania, Orusa, Riccardo, Robetto, Serena, Vacchetta, Massimo, Mauthe von Degerfeld, Mitzy, Quaranta, Giuseppe, Hetzel, Udo, Capucchio, Maria Teresa
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Zdroj: Animals (2076-2615); Jul2024, Vol. 14 Issue 13, p1852, 22p
Abstrakt: Simple Summary: A decline in European hedgehog populations has been reported in several European countries over the past years. Human activities, along with global warming and infectious diseases, appear to be the main drivers of this phenomenon. The present study aimed to determine the major causes of mortality and the main pathological findings in European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) submitted to postmortem examination at two institutes of veterinary pathology, one located in Italy (Piedmont region) and one in Switzerland (Canton of Zurich). Hedgehogs were found in affected health status in the wild, mostly due to traumatic injury, poor overall condition and respiratory, gastrointestinal or neurological signs. The primary causes of death identified were infectious diseases and traumatic insults. The lungs were the most commonly affected organ, mainly displaying pneumonia, which was significantly associated with the presence of nematodes. These findings should be held in mind when treating the species presented to wildlife rescue centers and highlight the importance of proper education of the public on how to coexist and interact with hedgehog populations inhabiting urban areas. European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) are nocturnal insectivores frequently found in urban areas. In the last decades, their population has declined in various European countries and human activities have emerged as significant contributors to this trend. While the literature has mainly focused on trauma as the major cause of mortality, few authors have considered pathological findings. The present study is based on the results of full post-mortem examinations performed on 162 European hedgehogs in Italy and 109 in Switzerland. Unlike in previous studies, the main cause of mortality was infectious diseases (60.5%), followed by traumatic insults (27.7%). The lungs were the main organ affected, showing mostly lymphoplasmacytic (45.9%), granulomatous (18.1%) or suppurative (8.2%) pneumonia. Nematodes were detected in 57.2% of all lungs and were significantly associated with pneumonia (p-value < 0.001). To our knowledge, this is the first study to report infectious diseases as the main cause of hedgehog death, emphasizing the need for wildlife rescue centers to adopt appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic measures. Further research is necessary to determine the broad range of infectious agents that affect this species and elucidate their interplay with the host. Finally, citizen sensitization should be implemented to promote responsible behaviors that could reduce human-related traumatic events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Databáze: Complementary Index
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