Hedgehog help

rha3l · #1 (**permalink**) 29-04-2006, 11:09 PM

I used to leave hazel nuts and sunflower seeds out for a squirrle, late one night I found out hedgehogs eat hazel nuts and sunflower seeds too. Since then I have had 2 regular visitors, that I love to photograph, and who don't seem to mind being photographed. It was in studying these photographs and doing a little research I became concerned that one of my hedgehogs may have a fungal infection in its ears...but I could be wrong. Could someone who knows what they're doing give me some help and advice? I'm not sure what I can do to help my hegie if it does have an infection, because it is a wild hedgehog, not a pet. I have a picture of the hedgehogs ear (it wasn't easy, but I got one).

Wild-Woman · #2 (**permalink**) 30-04-2006, 06:40 AM

Hi rha31 and welcome to WAB.
Think with a case like this,I'd seek the advice of Tragus who works in animal rescue with vets. You can send a private message by going back through 'members'.
You're poor little hedgehog looks quite content otherwise and it's good that you were there to look out for him or her.
Looking forward to reading more of your posts and I hope you enjoy the boards. Oh and keep us updated with the hedgehog's progress, we're all a caring bunch. WW

rlchew · #3 (**permalink**) 30-04-2006, 07:56 AM

Hello rha31

Unfortunately I do not know much about hedgehogs other than that they successfully manage to combine cute and prickly

.

There may be nothing seriously wrong with your hedgehog but hopefully others here may be able to advise you. Do let us know the outcome.

By the way, a warm welcome to WAB. I look forward to seeing more hedgehog photos in the Gallery.

Richard

paulinemiller10 · #4 (**permalink**) 30-04-2006, 01:21 PM

Hi there, I help out on a hedgehog site, and we also have a hog expert who will know what to do, just go to this address and add new topic , and say hog help or something, also lots of information about feeding and making a hog house, live cams and lots more on the site to help your hoggy, hope this helps. Pauline.
http://thehedgehog.co.uk/forum/index.php?board=2.0

rha3l · #5 (**permalink**) 30-04-2006, 02:00 PM

Thanks Pauline, I just posted my querry there, hopefully someone can give me some good advice. I appreciate your help.

Tragus · #6 (**permalink**) 30-04-2006, 05:57 PM

Apologies for not being around till today

Hi and welcome to WAB Rha

Looking at your photograph it could be mites. If you look closely at the ear under a magnifying glass - does anything appear to move? They usually congregate around the ears and eyes and look like tiny grains of sand.
If nothing is moving, then it could be ringworm, or a type of skin infection that may require antibiotics. The only way to know for sure is to capture the hedgehog and take it to your local rescue centre or a Vet who will examine it under a special light source. If it is ringworm then please make sure you keep the hedgehog confined seperately and wear gloves as it is contagious to humans and pets.
It is curable whichever problem it turns out to be, so please do get it treated as soon as possible.
Jo
If you need any further help or advice then you can PM me or post in this thread

rha3l · #7 (**permalink**) 05-05-2006, 09:46 AM

ok, now I have a different problem, I scared the hedgehog away by picking it up and examining it, how do I get it back to catch it and treat it now?

rha3l · #8 (**permalink**) 06-05-2006, 10:12 AM

No worries - I've got her now. Going to take her to the RSPCA later today, hope she won't hate me too much for disturbing her sleep (and taking her in in the first place).

Mollie · #9 (**permalink**) 06-05-2006, 11:41 AM

Pleeeeeeeeese don't take wildlife to the RSPCA! A hedgie might be ok (depending on your branch) but the RSPCA routinely euthanase most wildlife casualties taken to them. You're much better off with an independent, specialist wildlife rescue. You can find a list here