Effects of oral capromorelin on food intake and body weight in healthy, four-toed hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris)

Background

Although inappetence is a common clinical sign in ill four-toed hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris), there is limited information on the use of appetite stimulants in this species. Capromorelin is a growth hormone secretagogue that acts as a selective ghrelin receptor agonist. It has been demonstrated to increase food intake in dogs and cats with normal appetite as well as in dogs with inappetence.

Methods

The effects of capromorelin on food intake and body weight were studied in a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled, complete cross-over study in 10 healthy adult hedgehogs. Baseline food intake and body weight were recorded, and hedgehogs were administered either capromorelin (10 mg/kg) or an equivalent volume (0.33 mL/kg) of an oral compounding vehicle PO via syringe daily in the early evening for 5 days. Food intake and body weight were measured daily for 4 days following the last dose.

Results

Hedgehogs produced foamy saliva during oral administration regardless of treatment. Over the 5-day treatment period, hedgehogs administered capromorelin ate more food (median: 11%, range: −37% to 71%) than hedgehogs in the control group, and 7/10 (70%) hedgehogs administered capromorelin had an increase in food intake. However, this change in food intake was not statistically significantly different when compared to the control group. Body weight did not increase following capromorelin administration.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Unlike in other species, repeated daily oral administration of capromorelin doses at 10 mg/kg does not appear to induce the same degree of appetite stimulation in hedgehogs. Further research is needed to determine if capromorelin is effective in hedgehogs with inappetence.