Any hedgehog experts???

[Lovemusic33]

Posted in chat in hope to find some advice.

This morning I went out into my potting shed and found my visiting hedgehog curled up in the middle of the floor, I’m not sure how he got in there as the sheds pretty new and secure. I wasn’t sure if he was poorly or if he had just found his way in and got stuck so I brought him inside, offered him for and drink and somewhere warm to sleep. He drank a whole small bowl of water and had a couple mouthfuls of food, seemed to perk up a little so I planned to release him in the garden tonight but he’s been sleeping all day and looks nice and comfy in his straw bed. It’s meant to be really windy and wet tonight and getting colder tomorrow. Should I attempt to release him back outside or keep him in. I could put him back in my potting shed but I’m worried he won’t be able to get out (and the sheds a bit of a mess).

It’s dark outside and he’s showing no signs of waking up 🤣, I thought he would be awake and ready to go. He has no sign of injury and no obvious signs of illness other than drinking a whole bowl of water.

what’s the best thing to do?

I'm no expert but they are supposed to sleep during the day and become active at night. I'd put him out in your garden, if you have hedges or bushes, under that and see how he goes, personally.

You need to find a rescue. Every hedgehog has a high parasite burden that goes dangerously out of whack directly they are ill. The only chance it has is in the hands of a rescue. Can you join a hedgehog Facebook group for a list. If you search for Hedgehogs! in Facebook they will help you immediately.

Yes, I was hoping he would start waking up but I guess it’s still a bit early. He’s usually spotted in my garden around 9pm so maybe he will wake up soon. I have hedgehog houses in the garden which he never uses, I have put some fresh straw in them in hope he will use one if he gets cold. I don’t have hedges to put him under, the gardens fenced and he has a hole that he uses to get into next doors garden.

Generally if you find in the day, somethings’s up (is my understanding). Can you weigh, then call local rescue ? They’ll check poo for parasites , treat if necessary, then give back to you to release. In meantime keep in box, keep warm, and offer cat biscuits (kitten kibble is ideal) and water. ??

I have details of a rescue near by but have been unable to get through. He seems fine when awake, he has a couple of tics but that’s quite normal for a hedgehog (have seen him with more on him). I will keep trying to get hold of the rescue.

He’s a pretty big hoggy, he’s a few years old as I have been feeding him every year (he’s the only hog that visits).
I have been given him water and cat food (same as I feed him in the garden).

I found him early this morning in the potting shed, he wasn’t awake, wasn’t out roaming around so he may have just found his way into the shed for shelter and a sleep? But he can’t stay in the shed because as far as I know there’s no way for him to get in and out.

Yes!

You need to weigh him. Ideally he would be over 650grams.

Under that, he needs medical help.

He sounds like he’s reasonably healthy tbh. They can get through surprisingly small holes.

If you’ve seen him eating and drinking ok, and he’s pooed, I would release him this evening.

Set up a box outside if you can, so he has somewhere where he can hide if he needs the shelter

He’s definitely over 650g, he’s chunky.

He's just started moving around, I have put some fresh food in with him and fresh water. If he carries on waking up I will move the tub outside and he can chose wether to stay or go?

Honestly I’ve had so many hedgehogs come through my hands and they always end up with lungworm and roundworm and need treatment. Many of them have skin issues as well. Try and post on a Facebook hedgehog group, particularly the one I mentioned as many of the rescues are actually on there and will help you.

I have no advice sorry but can we have a pic 😃😃

Not the best pic as he has suddenly woken up and eaten a bowl of food. I am now trying him outside before it rains, have released him near the hedgehog house so he has somewhere to hide. What’s the betting he finds his way back into my shed? 🤣