Sedation in African Pygmy Hedgehogs

Pocket Pet · Atelerix albiventris · typical adult weight 0.30–0.60 kg

4 cited drugs treat Sedation in african pygmy hedgehogs: Acepromazine, Dexmedetomidine, Medetomidine, Tiletamine-Zolazepam.

Pharmacologic sedation for diagnostic procedures, minor surgical interventions, and pre-anaesthetic premedi-cation. α2 agonists (dexmedetomidine, medetomidine), phenothiazines (acepromazine), and benzodiazepines (midazolam) form the backbone of veterinary protocols.

The overview above describes Sedation across species; the citations below are the ExoticRx dose rules scoped to african pygmy hedgehogs — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.

Acepromazine(PromAce, Atravet)

Sedative

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO, SC, IM	0.1–1 mg/kg	not stated	Sedation	Weak	25. Heatley J. Hedgehogs. In: Mitchell MA, Tully TN Jr., eds. Manual of Exotic Pet Practice; Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2009:433-455. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.739 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 8.4 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Hedgehogs). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929

Full Acepromazine dosing in African Pygmy Hedgehogs →Calculate for this african pygmy hedgehog →

Dexmedetomidine(Dexdomitor, Sileo)

Anesthetic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	0.02 mg/kg	once	Sedation	Weak	40. Lennox AM. Safe sedation and immobilization of unusual exotic species encountered in practice. J Exot Pet Med. 2014;23:363-368. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.739 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 8.4 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Hedgehogs). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929

Full Dexmedetomidine dosing in African Pygmy Hedgehogs →Calculate for this african pygmy hedgehog →

Medetomidine

Uncategorized

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	0.05–0.1 mg/kg	once	Light sedation	Weak	34. Johnson D. African pygmy hedgehogs. In: Meredith A, Johnson-Delaney C, eds. BSAVA Manual of Exotic Pets, 5th ed., British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Gloucester, UK; 2010:139-147. \| 71. Stocker L. Medication for Use in the Treatment of Hedgehogs, Marshcliff, Ayelsbury, UK; 1992. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.740 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 8.4 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Hedgehogs). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part B — Exotic Pets — ISBN 9781910443712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443712; Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929
SC	0.2 mg/kg	once	Heavy sedation	Weak	6. Barbiers R. Insectivora (hedgehogs, tenrecs, shrews, moles) and Dermoptera (flying lemurs). In: Fowler M, Miller R, eds. Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine, 5th ed., WB Saunders, Philadelphia, PA; 2003:304-315. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.740 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 8.4 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Hedgehogs). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Fowler's Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine: Current Therapy — ISBN 9780323828529, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323828529

Full Medetomidine dosing in African Pygmy Hedgehogs →Calculate for this african pygmy hedgehog →

Tiletamine-Zolazepam(Telazol)

Anesthetic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	1–5 mg/kg	once	Sedation; anesthesia	Weak	25. Heatley J. Hedgehogs. In: Mitchell MA, Tully TN Jr., eds. Manual of Exotic Pet Practice; Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2009:433-455. \| 34. Johnson D. African pygmy hedgehogs. In: Meredith A, Johnson-Delaney C, eds. BSAVA Manual of Exotic Pets, 5th ed., British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Gloucester, UK; 2010:139-147. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.741 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 8.5 (Chemical Immobilization Protocols for Hedgehogs.a,b,5,15,17,21-23,28a). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — VOLUME CORRECTED 2026-08-07: this citation named BSAVA Part B (Exotic Pets), which does not contain Tiletamine-Zolazepam. BSAVA ships as two separate volumes and the drug is in BSAVA Part A (Canine & Feline); the reference is to that volume. Verified by searching the held copy of each. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part B — Exotic Pets — ISBN 9781910443712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443712; BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part A — Canine and Feline — ISBN 9781910443705, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443705; Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929
SC	10 mg/kg	not stated in source	Heavy sedation to light anesthesia	Moderate	21. Hausmann KE, Doss GA, Mans C. Subcutaneous tiletamine-zolazepam immobilization and effect of flumazenil reversal in African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris). J Exot Pet Med. 2021;36:42-46. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.741 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 8.5 (Chemical Immobilization Protocols for Hedgehogs.a,b,5,15,17,21-23,28a). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Exotic Animal Emergency and Critical Care Medicine — ISBN 9781119149231, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781119149231

Full Tiletamine-Zolazepam dosing in African Pygmy Hedgehogs →Calculate for this african pygmy hedgehog →

All drugs cited for Sedation →All drugs for African Pygmy Hedgehogs →

Other conditions in African Pygmy Hedgehogs

Bacterial Infections Endoparasites Pain Management Dermatophytosis (Ringworm)General Anesthesia Coccidiosis GI Ulceration

Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice. Verify against current literature before clinical use.