Not a pet, a small hedgehog....

[Squirdle]

...who doesn't look right at all. This is probabaly not the right section, but I didn't know where else to put it.

So we have a little hedgehog who has been bumbling around our driveway all afternon, in the pouring rain and looks very unsteady. I have now put him in a box with shredded newspaper and brought him inside as he didn't move for quite a long time and didn't curl up when we went near or when we picked him up.

I have called the RSPCA but they are now closed until tomorrow. But I will take him there tomorrow.

So tonight what do we do. We think if he will eat it's dog/cat food? and water. Is that right? He seems nice and cosy in his little newspaper nest.

My boys are very taken with him and have christened him Spike

So if there is anyone out there who knows about hedgehogs, let me know if I am doing anything wrong or if there is anything else I need to do.

Give him dog or cat food and water. Not bread and milk. Keep him warm until you can get advice. Sounds like he has woken up too soon from his hibernation and doesn't know what has happened.

You could try ringing the St Tiggywinkle's helpline; it claims to be 24 hour.

Yes, I thought the bread and milk thing would be wrong. So they hibernate during our summer months do they??

Duh! Got that wrong. Has been so cold here today was thinking it was autumn!!

Thanks I will try that number.

Nope. Hedgies hibernate during the winter.

Catfood is best for them, but dogfood will do at a push. He'll be fine in his box with some food, but putting him in a warm place won't do any harm

Hedgies have fleas, so if you can, put him in the garage so's not to end up with fleas in your house. Def ring st Tiggywinkles, because he sounds poorly

I did think it was a funny time of year for hibernation It seemed odd that he was trying to sleep on our driveway in the rain. Poor little chap. I'm going to keep him cosy for the night then take him down to the animal rescue centre in the morning. Also apparently you can take them to a vets free of charge.

at our vet hospital they operate on them as needed, then send them to the hedgie lady

Where we used to live, there is a hedgehog sanctuary.

How's Spike today?