Hedgehogs, anybody know much about them?

margaretclare

The hedgehog may be hibernating, or trying to, but if it is small it may not have put on enough weight to see it through the winter. They have to be a certain weight or they just die during the cold weather. You could leave it in the box but take it, box and all, to your nearest animal hospital. Look at this site, and you could phone the number for advice about what to do: http://www.sttiggywinkles.org.uk/hedgehogs.html

Padstow

Paradigm wrote: »

I don't know how much he weighs & I don't really want to disturb him just in case... just had another look & he's stil snuggled into the newspaper.

I'd say he's roughly half the size of an adult!

Is it possible to put his newly adopted bed into a large high sided box? I ask because when all's gone quiet tonight, he may escape to danger.

The last one I brought home after finding him staggering in the daylight, ate loads of food, tried to climb out of the box and so I thought he would make it. Driving him to rescue that same day, he slipped into a coma and that was the end, all within four hours.
The carer's home was stacked floor to ceiling with hedgehogs in cages, room after room. They do a wonderful job.

Paradigm

I'll fone a hedgehog rescue type place tomorrow... taking him in the box is a non starter, it's a 5 foot long packing case I use to keep compost, bulbs etc.

Just to add... the last hog I "rescued" was lying on the pavement with a huge abcess on it's leg. I took it to my vet who treated it free of charge & it became so tame that it would wander into the kitchen for it's nightly feed. It wasn't scared at all.

This was summer though & I have no experience of hogs during cold weather.

Froglet

McKneff wrote: »

Put him back exactly where youre dog dragged him from. Please.

He would have chosen to be in the hedge, its his natural habitat.

Dont mess with nature, it has a habit of biting back.

Totally and utterly wrong advice,on lots of accounts.He will die ,of cold,of hunger,and probably may even be injured,you don't know unless you let a carer look at him,Paradigm.

Please don't give out rubbish info like this.

Froglet

McKneff wrote: »

Its parents will be looking for it exactly where youre dog dug it out.
If you put it back they will find it naturally. By smell and instinct

I know you think you are helping but you really arent, I promise you it will be okay.

also totally bad advice.Hedgehogs are not good parents at all.They do the bare minimum.The adults will be off hibernating now.This little one desperately needs help.It needs to be kept warm or it won't eat.It will have been looking for food for a while now and is probably also dehydrated.There is little food aboutrfor him this time of year.If he hibernates he will die.

I work with a hedgehog carer and see the results of late babies.They can die very rapidly.

he really needs to be brought indoors,put into a smaller cage,even a plastic tub will do and put onto a wrapped up hot water bottle.A couple of snuggly towels will make him feel safe.Put some chicken or meat based cat or dog food out,and some water.Then look for a carer.If you want to,post here please Paradigm,oand you will get help and the name of a local carer very quickly.http://www.hedgehoghelp.co.uk/index.php?PHPSESSID=fe08d089f56eaf45717ce74a722f3f6e&board=2.0

Froglet

Paradigm where do you live? Would you like me to find you a local carer for some advice to help your hoggie survive overnight?

Paradigm

Froglet wrote: »

Would you like me to find you a local carer for some advice to help your hoggie survive overnight?

I've brought him inside now... he's curled up & about the size of a (large) grapefruit. Pretty sure he ain't big enough to see through the winter...but I'm no expert

Froglet

you will have seen my latest pm,ref contacts.He should be ok overnight so long as he is warm,wrapped up in a towel and got food and water.I would get on to a carer tomorrow and take him over,he needs to be kept awake and fed up over the winter and released in the spring.Too late now to even try and get enough weight on.

i have to turn in now.Any further help please do go to the site i mentioned and chat to those who seem to stay up all night! or read up on all the advice there.

Let me know how you get on.Well done for caring.you may just have saved this little guy's life.

Paradigm

Quick update....

I dropped the little fella (girl?) at a RSPCA centre, they'd already had a few brought in & said it wasn't unusual to find undersized hogs at this time of year!

Sorry it wasn't a specialised hoggy place but it was the best I could do as I'm at work all week & was passing... he got a ride in a nice big truck I didn't want to leave it 'till weekend.

Hopefully he will be ok

Froglet

That is great news Paradigm.Was it Stapely Grange or just a branch centre? i looked at Stapeley Grange but didn't know how far away it might be from you.You have done the very best possible thing ,they do take a lot of care especially if poorly.