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Original poster

I need some hedgehog help!

114 replies

TheDiddlyGang · 27/05/2021 09:34

So, yesterday my DH saw a council gardener walking down our street with a hedgehog and put it in the wooded area near our house.

This morning, I was taking the children to school and a very poorly looking hedgehog was on the pavement, I initially thought it might be dead but it was warm to touch so I picked it up and it rolled into a ball so obviously alive.

It’s now in my living room in a cardboard box on a fleece jumper against the radiator.

It has unfurled a little, it’s breathing, it’s stretched it’s leg out a bit so I assume it’s okay and sleeping?

The plan is to move it’s box into the dogs cage overnight (if he’s still alive) with some dog food and water.

Is this right?

I don’t want to take him to a vet because as far as I can see it isn’t injured and our vets will euthanise it.

I don’t drive so taking it to a wildlife sanctuary isn’t an option either.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
FlibbertyGiblets · 27/05/2021 09:35

Ring your local wildlife rescue. They might send someone to pick it up.

Original poster
TheDiddlyGang · 27/05/2021 09:40

Okay, I’ll have a google now.

I need some hedgehog help!
OP posts:
FloraFauna27 · 27/05/2021 09:43

No advice but you’re a lovely person OP!

Crockof · 27/05/2021 09:44

Please please find a local sanctuary, someone will collect it, the vets won't just put it down(they are protected), they will try and help and then send to sanctuary

PragmaticWench · 27/05/2021 09:46

Can you put a small bowl of water nearby? Definitely call the local wildlife rescue.

Blossomandbee · 27/05/2021 09:46

I've always heard they are in difficulties if they're out during the day. I would offer it water and seek advice from a local vet, sanctuary or rspca.

OldTinHat · 27/05/2021 09:47

Awwww, what a kind person you are OP!

PragmaticWench · 27/05/2021 09:48

Oh and it's kitten biscuits they eat. We've fostered hedgehogs over winter for our local hedgehog centre and they advise the tiny kitten kibble.

Billybagpuss · 27/05/2021 09:49

If you want to feed it, cat milk and cat biscuits work. Also make sure your dogs flea treatment is up to date.

DentonsFringeArnottsWaistcoat · 27/05/2021 09:51

No! Not dog food. Meaty cat food if you want to give it anything and water. The females are sometimes out wandering at this time of year if they have babies and need a ‘break’, in which case they should be returned to roughly where they were seen (safely out of the road etc). If however it was walking around and obviously unwell or injured it will need looking at. Do you have a local hedgehog rescue or wildlife rescue? They usually have volunteers who will come out to collect/take a look at the hog. Where roughly in the country are you?

PhoenixJasmine · 27/05/2021 09:51

I’m a vet if you bought her/him to me I’d look after, treat as needed and pass on to a wildlife org. I’ve done pro bono surgeries on them several times. Massive soft spot for hedgepigs and we need them! So I’d say worth talking to local vets to see what their approach is. Or yes some wildlife orgs have volunteer drivers that pick up. There is also the British Hedgehog Preservation Society that has a network of volunteers that rehab hedgies.

I do have a fairly low bar for euthanising pigeons though Blush

Squiggy · 27/05/2021 09:52

Local sanctuaries have volunteers who will come and collect it for you.

Original poster
TheDiddlyGang · 27/05/2021 09:52

I’m looking for a sanctuary now, I have found one but unsure if its still open as their last post was two years ago!
I will be phoning them shortly.

The hog does have a saucer of water by its box.

OP posts:
Gingerwhinger01 · 27/05/2021 09:55

There are some specialist hedgehog charities dotted about the country, google or look on facebook to find one and speak with them to get advice.
Sometimes when you find hedgehogs out like that they have health issues, or injuries that need treatment.

Original poster
TheDiddlyGang · 27/05/2021 09:58

The females are sometimes out wandering at this time of year if they have babies and need a ‘break’
This one wasn’t moving at all, completely still on the pavement.
A passerby stomped his foot near it, I assume to see if it was dead or not with no response.
I thought it was dead myself but when I touched to check it was warm so I went to pick up to see if it was still alive and it rolled into a ball.

OP posts:
steppemum · 27/05/2021 09:58

Phone Mrs TiggyWinkle's Hospital.
It is a wildlife hospital and, as you can see from the name, it started as a hedgehog sanctuary.

They will be able to advise and have a huge reach/connections with others who may be close to you

www.sttiggywinkles.org.uk/

FreshBedding · 27/05/2021 09:58

Hello, please call the British Hedgehog Association on

01584 890801

They will give you a number to any local sanctuaries 😊

Sounds like the Hedgehog needs some specialist care, you've done a lovely thing but time may be critical to save him/her now.

steppemum · 27/05/2021 09:59

my friend used to look after rescue hogs, and she would keep them away from people in the garage, in a box with a lid/cover (not tight fitting) so they feel safe

Original poster
TheDiddlyGang · 27/05/2021 10:03

So I’d say worth talking to local vets to see what their approach is
I’m fairly sure they would euthanise, I took a hedgehog to them a few years ago, the nurse commented she could see where a dog (probably) had picked it up, I naively assumed they would give it antibiotics like you do with cats and dogs and care for it.
When I rang for an update they said the vet had euthanised it.

OP posts:
Hobbesmanc · 27/05/2021 10:05

I found a baby in the garden a few winters back - a local charity came and picked her up - I donated a box of food as a thank you. They came and released her back into my garden the following spring which was lovely

If you are in the Gt Manchester area let me know and I can send details

DentonsFringeArnottsWaistcoat · 27/05/2021 10:09

@TheDiddlyGang

The females are sometimes out wandering at this time of year if they have babies and need a ‘break’ This one wasn’t moving at all, completely still on the pavement. A passerby stomped his foot near it, I assume to see if it was dead or not with no response. I thought it was dead myself but when I touched to check it was warm so I went to pick up to see if it was still alive and it rolled into a ball.
Ok in that case, he/she probably needs specialist help - might be overloaded with parasites or some such. As PP said calling Tel: 01584 890 801 should get you through to someone who can locate a local rescue to you who can collect.
AmyandPhilipfan · 27/05/2021 10:10

Be prepared that they get very stinky very quickly. We found one once in winter in the early evening and kept it over night until we could take it to a vet who was passing it to a sanctuary. When we found it the kids were all for keeping it forever but by the next day the box was so stinky they were quite happy to see it go!

Original poster
TheDiddlyGang · 27/05/2021 10:23

Not having much luck with the British Hedgehog Association so far, engaged everytime I ring, I will keep trying.
Hedgehog still sleeping, very much alive, it flexes it’s back legs every so often.
It did move it’s head a few minutes ago and make a sort of snuffle/sneeze type noise.
Unsure if that is normal or if the poor hog is extremely unwell

OP posts:
Thegirlhasnoname · 27/05/2021 10:26

Are you able to say roughly which area of the country you are in?

Just asking as I know around me there are at least 3 hedgehog rescues and very active on their social media so somebody might be able to help locate one

AbsolutePoppycock · 27/05/2021 10:29

Thank you for caring, as someone said, keep an eye out for fleas on your dog

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