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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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
Hoppinggreen · 27/05/2021 10:30

Vets will generally help as long as you make it very clear that you will take the hog home with you after treatment, they just don’t want wildlife dumped on them.
They get parasites like Ringworm so be very careful with your hygiene and they can get colds/flu and could need antibiotics and fluids.
They are smelly creatures so be prepared for that.
You really do need to find a local Rescue, where are you roughly?

Outnumbered99 · 27/05/2021 10:32

Thank you for all you are doing OP, you seem lovely!

Original poster
TheDiddlyGang · 27/05/2021 10:42

Fucks sake.
British Hedgehog Association were not terribly helpful!

They said there was just one centre, gave me their number and I rang them for them to tell me I’m too far and they won’t come out!
Great!
They didn’t give me any advice whatsoever as to caring for the poor little thing.

So my options now are to care for it and hope it doesn’t die or take it to the vet who will probably put it to sleep.
😖

OP posts:
MsVillanelle · 27/05/2021 10:48

Hello. I do hedgehog rescue and rehabilitation, so I'm experienced with these situations. Please, please get this hoggy some help and quickly, speed is crucial here! You haven't said whereabouts approx in the country you are, if you are local to me I could help, I'm in mid Suffolk. Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals, if they are out in the daytime, they are likely very unwell and need urgent help. The only type of healthy hog that may be about in the day is a female with babies, who will be very purposefully moving around, collecting stuff for nesting etc. The hog you have found sounds unwell, it's possible if it was discovered by the gardener as mentioned that it may have an injury from garden work going on, lots get injured by rakes and strimmers etc and it's hard to see injuries if the hog won't uncurl properly. Also, you mentioned it sneezing and it's very likely that it has lungworm and/or ringworm, as this is very common in hogs sadly and causes sneezing and wheezy breathing.

Lots of good advice generally on this thread. Yes to meaty cat food and bowl of water only (no milk please) and keep hog warm in a high-sided box, as they can climb, even when very unwell! Please phone the aforementioned places, Mrs Tiggywinkles rescue and Hedgehog Association will advise of rescues in your area, but also their website will show what rescues are in your local area. Volunteers can then come and collect from you, if you are unable to drive.

Please get help urgently though, this hedgie desperately needs help and their health can go downhill rapidly. Thankyou for caring though and thankyou for all you've done for it so far, you've done the right thing trying to help. Please keep us updated! x

Hoppinggreen · 27/05/2021 10:54

As people have repeatedly said, the vet won’t put it to sleep unless it is suffering as long as you tell them you are caring for it and are trying to find a Rescue.
Also, tell us roughly where you are and someone may be able to help. Our local Rescue has a network of volunteers who will collect it so it might be the same in your area.
You have done a lovely thing so far but the Hog could be suffering and in pain and it does need checking by someone who knows what to do.

MsVillanelle · 27/05/2021 10:58

Just read your latest update. Sorry that the BHA and the local rescue were not more helpful, that's really bad. You haven't said where in the country you are OP, there may be people on here that can help?

If no local rescue can help, your only option really is to take to local vet and see if they will help (they won't charge you, as it's wildlife and not your pet). Some vets are hedgehog friendly and helpful, others are not and will just euthanize. You could sound them out first by phoning up and explaining and seeing if they would help. Your other option of looking after the hog yourself is just not feasible, the hoggy will likely need specialist treatment for ringworm, lungworm, possibly fluke and may need sub-cutaneous fluids administered as it is likely severely dehydrated and obviously, only someone trained can do all that.

TheHoundsofLove · 27/05/2021 10:58

I would ring a couple of vets - one will probably have a number for a small local rescue.
I found a poorly baby hedgehog 2 years ago - I took her to the vets who treated her for free, found me a local hedgehog rescuer and advised me how to look after her until I could get her to the rescue. I honestly thought she would die as was so tiny and poorly, but the hedgehog lady looked after her over the winter and then gave her back to us to release in the Spring. I put food out for them every night, so I like to think that she still visits from time to time.
Sorry for the long aside, but I love hedgehogs and really hope that you manage to find someone to help.

mrstt89 · 27/05/2021 11:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Hoppinggreen · 27/05/2021 11:03

@mrstt89

RSPCA/SSPCA will come for it.
I doubt that
Original poster
TheDiddlyGang · 27/05/2021 11:03

Hello. I do hedgehog rescue and rehabilitation, so I'm experienced with these situations. Please, please get this hoggy some help and quickly, speed is crucial here!
I’m trying! 😭
I’m feeling really frustrated at the moment.
I have one local ‘rescue’ left, they haven’t answered the phone.
I’m unsure if they are still operating as their last update was 2 years ago.
BHA weren’t aware of them, they only mentioned one (a branch of tiggywinkles who refused to come out to me)

You haven't said whereabouts approx in the country you are, if you are local to me I could help, I'm in mid Suffolk
Nowhere near there sadly.

Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals, if they are out in the daytime, they are likely very unwell and need urgent help. The only type of healthy hog that may be about in the day is a female with babies, who will be very purposefully moving around, collecting stuff for nesting etc
Yes, I have already briefed my children that the hedgehog is likely very unwell unfortunately.

The hog you have found sounds unwell, it's possible if it was discovered by the gardener as mentioned that it may have an injury from garden work going on, lots get injured by rakes and strimmers etc and it's hard to see injuries if the hog won't uncurl properly
I hope not.

Also, you mentioned it sneezing and it's very likely that it has lungworm and/or ringworm, as this is very common in hogs sadly and causes sneezing and wheezy breathing
Oh jeez.
I really hope not.
I have homeopathic wormer ‘four seasons’ (the dog is worm counted aswell - she doesn’t have worms) but I daren't use it incase I poison the poor thing.

Lots of good advice generally on this thread. Yes to meaty cat food and bowl of water only (no milk please) and keep hog warm in a high-sided box
My local pet shop sells spike hedgehog food, would that be better?
It is in a box, it’s nighttime (if I still have it here) that is worrying me incase it busts out the box and gets injured.
I have a dog crate I can put the box in but worried the hog may get stuck between the bars?

Mrs Tiggywinkles rescue and Hedgehog Association will advise of rescues in your area
They were most unhelpful unfortunately.

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 27/05/2021 11:04

The snuffles may well be lungworm

MsVillanelle · 27/05/2021 11:04

I would also recommend Vale Wildlife Hospital, if you need more info about local rescues. They are brilliant and specialised in hedgehogs. They are in Tewkesbury, but have a dedicated advice line, number is (01386) 882288, line is open 7am to 5pm.

Hoppinggreen · 27/05/2021 11:05

Are you in Yorkshire by any chance?

countrygirl99 · 27/05/2021 11:05

Where in the country are you. Someone might know a suitable rescue

Dashel · 27/05/2021 11:09

I think if you could say what County you are in then someone may know of a rescue that may help or maybe a rescuer might see your post.

Original poster
TheDiddlyGang · 27/05/2021 11:09

I haven’t given my location as I like the anonymity of this forum but here goes, I’ll name change after updating this thread with a hopefully happy outcome.
I’m in Milton Keynes.

OP posts:
Temp023 · 27/05/2021 11:12

When I found an injured hedgehog my vet took it. No cost to me, it’s worth giving them a ring.

Temp023 · 27/05/2021 11:13

They had to put the poor little thing to sleep though.

Gingerwhinger01 · 27/05/2021 11:14

Suffolk Prickles Hedgehog Rescue,
Phone: 07469 177 090

Suffolk Wildlife Trust
01473 890089

Suffolk hedgehog hospital
01638 500295

07702 211302

Thegirlhasnoname · 27/05/2021 11:16

There is one in Milton Keynes called “Hedgehog Haven MK”

07377549377

The lady who runs it seems pretty active on social media so hopefully she will be able to advise, if not collect the hedgehog

Good luck!

Original poster
TheDiddlyGang · 27/05/2021 11:19

There is one in Milton Keynes called “Hedgehog Haven MK”
I have left this lady a message already and will call again later if I don’t hear anything.
Her last Facebook update was 2019 so unsure if she is still rescuing.
She is the rescue I was referring to, if she doesn’t get back to me I don’t think there are anymore rescues.

OP posts:
countrygirl99 · 27/05/2021 11:21

There is one in Sharnbook, North Beds called Hedgehugs. She is very active on Facebook.

Original poster
TheDiddlyGang · 27/05/2021 11:33

There is one in Sharnbook, North Beds called Hedgehugs. She is very active on Facebook
Left them a message.
Hopefully they and Hedgehog haven get back to me

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 27/05/2021 11:57

In the meantime if it’s at all possible please do try and get the hog to a vet

Billybagpuss · 27/05/2021 12:02

On one hand, little hog was out during the day which is usually sign of trouble, but usually during the day they do almost go semi comatose and sleep, that’s why there’s so many hedgehogs get injured with garden strimmers as they don’t wake up to get out the way.

If it were me, if you’ve exhausted all rescue avanues I’d probably move it to a box in the back garden with food and water and let it take it’s chances. I don’t know what to suggest about the lungworm issue.