My dog ate a hedgehog

[VandaMay]

I think it was was dead already and my dog has just eaten all of it whilst out walking. He was a little distance away and I thought it was a stick. He’s eaten all of it, should I be worried about rabies?

No not in England.

Thats going to be painful when it comes out the other end!

Nor anywhere in the UK.

We don’t have rabies in the UK. I’d be more concerned about the spines TBH!

Not rabies, but potentially lung worm. Depends how long the hedgehog had been dead for.

not rabies but some hedgehogs have lungworm so maybe ring a vets tomorrow morning and take advice from them

Rabies, no, but I’d still be taking him to the vet for other bugs/diseases, and the spines. Hope he’s ok.

Rabies is a weird place to go to when your dog eats a hedgehog OP. Especially if you're in the UK.
Id probably give the vet a ring like.

I'd give the vet a call

That’s disgusting! Clearly keeping a close eye on your dog 😳

Oh get real. These things happen Miss Perfect 🤣

OP - you have my sympathy, my dog is unfortunately ‘an eater of horrible things ‘ too. She is the owner of a cast iron stomach fortunately, but has never eaten a hedgehog . I’d call the vets too, to make sure all is well and to err on the safe side.

@berksandbeyond - you cannot stand over them at all times!

Not true. It is found in some bats in the UK. So not common and not at all in hedgehogs, but we do have it in the UK. But apart from the obvious risk of spines etc., there are some zoonotic conditions that can spread to dogs and humans, including salmonella, ringworm, mites, and fleas, so a vet check would definitely be a good idea.

I'd be phoning the emergency vet

Let’s hope no one has put slug killer down which the poor hedgehog has eaten.

Flippin eck OP 🤢😆

I once had the horrible experience of finding a couple of baby hedgehog “shells” in my front garden. We blamed the fox. Bloody hope it was the fox.

Maybe give the vet a ring tomorrow, I wouldn’t worry too much, dogs scavenge horrible things.

The worst I’ve had is finding my current dog (newly rescued) knee deep in the remnants of a field dressed deer. There was only one lung left 🤢

The whole thing? 🤢 How?!

“The worst I’ve had is finding my current dog (newly rescued) knee deep in the remnants of a field dressed deer. There was only one lung left 🤢” where?!?! I would pass out! Not good with stuff like that.

It was disgusting 😆 Some hunters just left behind everything they didn’t want in the woods. Neatly stacked deer shins and grizzly bits. Wasn’t thrilled, as a veggie. Dog was delighted!

Bloody hell, I'd check the dog for any spines stuck in its mouth.

I used to have terriers, and my bitch had a very strong prey drive. She killed a hedgehog in the garden, and the other dog must have rolled on it.

The first I knew of it was when I was grooming Dog2, and found spines in his fur.

As others have said,lung worm is actually the bigger pathogenic concern. I'd speak to your vet.

The worst I’ve had is finding my current dog (newly rescued) knee deep in the remnants of a field dressed deer. There was only one lung left 🤢

That almost made me gag @LozzaChops101 .

Bloody hell dogs aren't fussy are they!

Was it very rotten?
He might be sick and get rid of the bulk of it.

@LozzaChops101 I don’t eat meat either, that sight would finish me off! But DDog would be snout deep 😳😂 shudder