Hedgehog

[ina]

We found a hedgehog on the farm today. This is a bit strange, as none of us had seen one for years - and now there's one, obviously in distress, in the yard. We suspect it may have been poisoned (slug pellets? - rat poison? - deliberate poisoning???). I've put it in a box, with warm water bottle, and am trying to rehydrate it, and have some food on stand-by. Has anybody else got experience with a case like this?

[Annpan]

I don't have any experience Ina, sorry. Hedgehogs are such lovely creatures - We have at one that we have seen in our garden.

I think that I have heard you should feed them cat food, you shouldn't give milk and bread as it can affect there digestive system - maybe sneak some slugs in there too - I am sure you will find some easily in this weather

[ina]

Slugs wouldn't be a problem! It's sleeping at the moment... (how do you tell if it's a she or he? )

I've given it a few drops of rehydration liquid with a pipette, and put some more and some catfood in a dish, but it hasn't touched it yet. Keep fingers crossed - they are quite rare around here, and I would love to keep it around!

[Jandra]

How's the hedgehog doing?I hope he makes it.If they're in poor condition they can suffer horribly from ticks and fleas and such. This makes it very difficult fr them to recover (anemia), so a dose of flea powder or frontline might be in order. Please check if this is OK for hedgehogs, 'cause I'm not really knowledgable.

Good luck. A slug devouring friend would be wonderful.

Jandra

[ina]

He's alive, but not very lively... I've been feeding him rehydrating liquid with a pipette, as I think he's been throwing over his water bowl; his movements seem to be uncoordinated (could be an effect of poisoning). He's had a little catfood, so I'm still hopeful!

[Jandra]

Poor chap. Keep up the good work. Hope he gets better soon.

Jandra

[bumbled_bee]

Hope the little guy makes it!

My suggestion would be to call the rspca. They can take it to a wildlife centre and get him all fixed up.
I'd be wary of using Frontline on him for fleas and such because it can have toxic effects if too much is applied.
If it was rat poison, it'll be bad luck for the hedgehog. Rat poison stops blood from clotting and causes internal bleeding.
Hope this helps at all.

[Ratty]

The RSPCA aren't interested in wildlife. It sounds like Ina is doing a great job with him so far. I have visited a couple of hedgehog rescue centres across the country (Mrs Tiggywinkles run by the fantastic Les Stocker & a super little one in Lincolnshire). I have a book somewhere called The Complete Hedgehog (by Les Stocker!) which I'll try to find out and see if there is more advice for you in there Ina. In the meantime this might be a little use? http://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/FAQS/first_aid.htm

[ina]

Thanks, Ratty - that was the site I used first, it's excellent. He's a lot worse today - moaning and whimpering, and has totally lost the ability to drink or eat by himself. If it's a slow working poison he's eaten, I just wish the people who put it out could see him now! It really is heartbreaking - the moans were so load I could hear it next door... I think I'll have to ring the vets once they are open and see what they say. Better to have him put down, than watch him suffer much longer. It's amazing, though - I can understand people going fanatic about hedgehogs; he seems so gentle, never once tried to bite me, and seems to understand the pipette feeding I do.

[ina]

Well, I tried; when I went back just now he had died.

[Annpan]

Sorry Ina, I was rooting for the wee guy...what horrid things these poisons do.

[Thomzo]

Ah - poor little thing. I am sorry. You did your best for him.

Zoe

[Millymollymandy]

That's so sad Ina.

[ina]

I know it shouldn't make it harder - but hedgehogs make almost human noises... And it was very clear he was suffering that last night - and there was nothing I could do.

We are now all keeping our eyes open, just in case we find another one. If there is any poisoning going on - deliberate or through our "normal" rat poison, slug pellets, farm chemicals etc, we'd want to find out about it and stop it.

[pumpy]

Hi, Ina. Sorry to hear about the hog. We had the same scenario about this time last year. We phoned "Tiggywinkles" for advice, & apparently they were inundated with sick hogs. There was some sort of virus going around. Maybe it still hasn't cleared. If it's any consolation, our garden appears to be a hog creche, & they are a healthy-looking bunch of critters!