Hedgehogs...

Froglet

Welshwoofs wrote: »

I'm a registered hedgehog carer and if anyone is interested in helping the little creatures I'd recommend doing the hedgehog care and rehabilitation course run by Vale Wildlife

Anyhoo - hedgehogs do go off for a trundle every few days even when hibernating so it's perfectly normal to see the big ones about. As mentioned in the thread, the minimum for hibernation is 600gm so if you find them under that during Winter months they need bringing in.

Do not feed them dairy - even goat's milk! The best food for them is a combo of wet and dry cat food in meat flavours only (they won't eat fish flavours). The dry food is good for their teeth. Every hedgehog I've over-wintered has loved chicken...but obviously that gets expensive. They must have lots of fresh water on hand. Most hedgehogs that come into care are dehydrated.....I often have to syringe Hartman's fluid under their skin when I first get them.

Things which can make them ill? Well if you see ticks they'll need removing - don't smear ticks with oil or vaseline because that makes them regurgitate into the host and some carry Lyme's Disease. A tick remover is best. The other things they often suffer from are Fluke and round worms....and the new danger to them is thorny headed worm which burrows straight through their intestine and causes death by pertonitis. Fluke and roundworms can be tested for - in fact you can send a poo sample off to Vale Wildlife and they'll tell if the hedgehog has fluke/worms and what medication is needed. If they have thorny headed worm....well unfortunately you won't know until they suddenly die and even then you'll only know if you dissect them.

Welshwoofs,are you a member of the wonderful hedgehog forum by any chance ? If not please come over and join us,and maybe help new carers with your experience.

http://www.hedgehoghelp.co.uk/index.php?board=2.0

Welshwoofs

Froglet wrote: »

Welshwoofs,are you a member of the wonderful hedgehog forum by any chance ? If not please come over and join us,and maybe help new carers with your experience.

http://www.hedgehoghelp.co.uk/index.php?board=2.0

Hey there - I'm actually not a member, no!

I got into hedgehog caring when I found a very young hedgehog literally scraping at the dog's bowl for scraps one Winter's day. I decided that if I was going to care for them I needed to know how to do it properly so did the one-day course at Vale which I can't recommend enough (http://www.valewildlife.org.uk/#/hedgehog-first-aid/4539532931) and after that I signed up as carer with the BHPS.

I'll certainly pop over to the forum - thanks for the info

Froglet

Please do,Welshwoofs.People often post when they have come across a sick,injured or young hog,and are desperate to find a carer nearby.i believe there aren't that many in Wales.You will be made to feel very welcome,and you can share in all the ups and downs of hedgehog care.

rising_from_the_ashes

*sigh* I'd love to do that course ....... wish it was a bit closer

farmboy1975

I have just brought a fantastic Hedgehog House from Ark Wildlife Ltd. They gave me so much information and help to ensure i had everything i needed. Especially reminding me about making sure there is plenty of fresh water avaliable.

Ilona

???.....reported

Polmop

Ilona wrote: »

???.....reported

Confused now, have i missed something

chucknorris

Polmop wrote: »

Confused now, have i missed something

That's what I was thinking, maybe somebody deleted a post?

southcoastrgi

Ilona wrote: »

???.....reported

Polmop wrote: »

Confused now, have i missed something

chucknorris wrote: »

That's what I was thinking, maybe somebody deleted a post?

post #26 spam

Froglet

AS well as bad grammar.

Or maybe he "brought" it back from the shop.I doubt it though!

This bought and brought thing drives me mad.Like nothinK.

My english grammar teacher must be turning in his grave at the way some people speak these days innit !!