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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Injured hedgehog - help!

32 replies

INeedAnAero · 19/08/2018 08:37

Just found an injured hedgehog in the garden, it's leg looks quite badly injured, I've taken it inside very gently and put it in a box there's no vets open this time in the morning, what can I do?
It's so upsetting and I'm trying to keep it together in front of DS. The poor poor thing

OP posts:
abbsisspartacus · 19/08/2018 08:38

Hedgehog rescue? What area are you in

Redcherries · 19/08/2018 08:39

Google for your nearest wild life rescue, hopefully you have one near by that can help.

Original poster
INeedAnAero · 19/08/2018 08:39

North Birmingham

OP posts:
MarthasGinYard · 19/08/2018 08:39

Hedgehog rescue

Also our local vet is happy to see injured hedges.

Original poster
INeedAnAero · 19/08/2018 08:39

All the RSPCA centres are closed around here until Monday

OP posts:
WhatYouGonnaDoKatie · 19/08/2018 08:40

Call this charity: www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk

They were great when I found a very little hedgehog out in daylight last year, referred me to a local wildlife rescue who picked him up.

Original poster
INeedAnAero · 19/08/2018 08:40

Local vets opens are 9.30

What can I do in the mean time?

OP posts:
Katescurios · 19/08/2018 08:42

You can give it dog food or other meat and just leave it in a dark quiet place till the rescue places open fo r you to call. Try not to touch it and you may wan t to put the box in the garage or outside as hedgehogs can have fleas or ticks.

Squamish · 19/08/2018 08:43

Call Tiggywinkles they are the only 24/7 wildlife hospital in the U.K. and they will advise what to do

Original poster
INeedAnAero · 19/08/2018 08:44

I've left it in the side lean to as the advice was to keep it out of the cold

It's legs are bleeding, it's so upsetting to watch it in distress

OP posts:
jigsawpiece · 19/08/2018 08:45

Give him water. Don't give him milk

Original poster
INeedAnAero · 19/08/2018 08:48

Shall I wait til the vets open at 9.30 or call an emergency number? I don't know what to do for the best!

OP posts:
tinstar · 19/08/2018 08:48

If local vets are open at 9.30 you don't have long to wait. They'll know what to do.

WhatYouGonnaDoKatie · 19/08/2018 08:50

The emergency number might tell you what you can do to make it comfortable in the mean time, then get it to the vets as soon as it’s open.

Original poster
INeedAnAero · 19/08/2018 08:51

Ok, I'll wait. I've been feeding him for about a week and have grown a bit attached to him, as has DS. To be honest it's not looking good, both his back legs are out behind him with no tone at all

OP posts:
Original poster
INeedAnAero · 19/08/2018 09:59

Left him at local emergency vets, will call back later to see how he is.
Thanks for all the advice

OP posts:
MarthasGinYard · 19/08/2018 10:01

Fingers crossed Op

They are really keen to save little Hedges if they can.

Original poster
INeedAnAero · 19/08/2018 10:04

Really hope so, thank you xx
It's a shame that I won't be able to bring him back to our garden if they do manage to treat him successfully as DS has become so attached to him. It was lovely having him around, but completely understand why they can't release them back to you

OP posts:
MarthasGinYard · 19/08/2018 10:07

Yes that's a shame

They're amazing little things aren't they.

userxx · 19/08/2018 10:09

Oh no this is really upsetting. Please let us know how you get on, sending positive vibes to the hog. They are resilient little things.

Original poster
INeedAnAero · 19/08/2018 10:14

Will do, thank you xx

OP posts:
Goth237 · 19/08/2018 11:37

I owned an African pygmy Hedgehog. He was a lovely thing and sadly he ended up with a common Hedgehog disease called Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome. This is where they gradually become paralysed and the first to go were his back legs. We had him put down before it progressed any further. But if he has no tone in them, perhaps this is what is happening. It's not reversible, sadly. 7

userxx · 19/08/2018 11:40

@Goth237 that only affects "pet" hedgehogs due to interbreeding.

Original poster
INeedAnAero · 19/08/2018 11:58

Sorry to bring bad news but the vets had to pts. Apparently both his back legs were broken. Really sad.
As DS knows he wasn't coming back anyway I think I'm going to have to tell a little white lie. Don't want to break his little heart 😢

OP posts: