Diabetes in hedgehogs and tenrecs

Causes, diagnosis, home testing, and why diet plays a crucial role in management

Diabetes mellitus, a condition where the body cannot regulate blood sugar properly, is increasingly recognized in pet hedgehogs and, less frequently, in tenrecs. Often underdiagnosed due to subtle symptoms or misattributed signs, diabetes can have serious consequences when left untreated.

This article explains what diabetes is, what causes it, how you can test at home using urine, and how to work with your veterinarian to manage or even reverse the condition, particularly through dietary changes such as a biologically appropriate raw food (BARF) diet.

What is diabetes in exotic mammals?

In both hedgehogs and tenrecs, diabetes occurs when the body either:

1. Does not produce enough insulin (Type 1 diabetes)
2. Cannot use insulin effectively (Type 2 diabetes, more common in captive animals)

Insulin is the hormone responsible for moving glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream into the body’s cells. When this process fails, sugar accumulates in the blood and spills into the urine, leading to increased thirst, urination, weight loss, and energy loss.

What causes diabetes?

Diabetes in hedgehogs and tenrecs is typically acquired rather than inherited. Some key contributors include:

• Long-term poor diet: especially high-carb, high-sugar, or fruit-heavy diets
• Chronic obesity or lack of exercise
• Pancreatic damage due to infection, inflammation, or tumors
• Age-related decline in insulin regulation
• Previous steroid medication use (in some cases)
• Genetic predisposition (less common but possible)

In tenrecs, diabetes is rare but may occur in captivity under unnatural dietary conditions.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of diabetes are often slow to appear and easily mistaken for aging or stress. Key indicators include:

• Excessive drinking and urination (wet bedding, soaked enclosures)
• Weight loss despite a normal or increased appetite
• Sticky or sweet-smelling urine
• Lethargy and reduced activity
• Poor wound healing or recurring infections
• Cataracts (especially in older hedgehogs)

If left untreated, the animal may become dehydrated, go into diabetic ketoacidosis (a medical emergency), or suffer organ failure over time.

At-home testing using urine

One of the easiest and most affordable ways to detect potential diabetes is urine glucose testing at home. What You Need:

• Urine test strips (like Keto-Diastix or Multistix)
• A clean, non-absorbent surface (e.g. plastic tray or litter-free corner)
• A small syringe or pipette to collect urine (optional)

How to Do It:

1. Wait for the animal to urinate: often right after waking or during enclosure cleaning.
   
2. Catch a small amount of urine or absorb it with a strip directly from a smooth surface.
   
3. Compare the test strip to the color chart within the specified time window.

If glucose is consistently present in the urine above 100dHL, this is a strong indicator of diabetes, especially when combined with symptoms. Ketones in the urine signal a more advanced or dangerous stage.

A single positive test is not diagnostic. Urine should be tested at multiple times, and a vet should confirm via bloodwork.

Veterinary diagnosis and treatment

If diabetes is suspected, your exotic vet may perform:

• Blood glucose testing (via tiny blood draw)
• Fructosamine levels to evaluate long-term glucose control
• Urinalysis to check for sugar, ketones, and infections
• Full physical exam to rule out tumors or secondary illness

Treatment may involve:

• Dietary changes (crucial)
• Insulin therapy in more advanced cases (though rarely used due to difficulty in dose regulation)
• Hydration support
• Monitoring of weight, appetite, and behavior

In mild to moderate cases, lifestyle changes alone can stabilize or reverse the condition, especially if caught early.

Why diet matters and how BARF can help

The biggest game-changer in managing diabetes in hedgehogs (and potentially tenrecs) is removing excess sugar and carbohydrates from the diet. What not to feed:

• Fruits, honey, or sweet treats
• Grain-heavy commercial foods
• Starchy vegetables
• High-fat insects like mealworms or waxworms (in large quantities)
• Canned wet food with fillers

What to feed instead:

• A BARF diet: Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, based on natural prey
  • 60–70% whole insects and raw muscle meat (chicken, turkey, quail)
  • 10–15% raw organs (liver, heart, kidney)
  • 10% calcium source (powdered eggshell or supplement)
  • 5–10% max plant matter (optional; use fibrous greens or squash)
    
• A high-meat, low fat diet kibble (cat food or dog food)

A properly balanced raw diet offers steady blood sugar levels, high protein, and low glycemic load, supporting both prevention and recovery. It can even reverse early-stage diabetes in some cases.

Important: Always consult an exotic-savvy vet or nutritionist before switching to a BARF diet. Never feed raw meat meant for human consumption due to risk of imbalance or additives. Hygiene and proper food storage are essential.

Managing diabetes long term

With the right support, many animals live long, comfortable lives with diabetes. Daily routines should include:

• Monitoring food intake and weight
• Keeping detailed logs of behavior, appetite, and urination
• Occasional urine strip testing
• Offering a consistent, low-sugar, protein-rich diet
• Maintaining optimal temperature and enclosure hygiene
• Providing exercise opportunities to maintain muscle mass

In rescue centers, animals with suspected or confirmed diabetes may require more frequent monitoring and individualized feeding.

Final thoughts

Diabetes is a serious condition, but not a hopeless one. Many hedgehogs, and some tenrecs, have regained stability and energy with proper care, especially through early detection and targeted diet changes. If your animal shows signs, don’t delay. A simple urine test and food adjustment might be the first steps to a longer, healthier life.