Hedgehog help

rha3l · #1 (**permalink**) 29-04-2006, 10:09 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, 05:40 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, 06:56 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, 12:21 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, 01:00 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, 04:57 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, 08:46 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, 09:12 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, 10:41 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

rha3l · #10 (**permalink**) 06-05-2006, 12:02 PM

She isn't a casualty, she just has some kind of ear infection. I phoned the RSPCA, they said they'd send someone to collect her as soon as they can.

Mollie · #11 (**permalink**) 06-05-2006, 12:35 PM

By casualty I mean any sick, injured or orphaned wild bird or animal. The RSPCA simply do not have the expertise to deal with them effectively. Nor can they be bothered in most instances. If they have not already been to collect the hedgie then I VERY STRONGLY urge you to call them back, tell them it escaped and call one of the rescues on the list I posted.

Trust me, I have been working with wildlife for a long time and I could write a dissertation on the horror stories I have heard and witnessed with the RSPCA and wildlife. If you want this hedgie to get the best (or any) treatment then please do not hand it over to the RSPCA.

rha3l · #12 (**permalink**) 06-05-2006, 12:56 PM

Grief! What on earth are the huge bug things all over her head?!

rha3l · #13 (**permalink**) 06-05-2006, 03:00 PM

Then you'll be pleased to hear the RSPCA aren't coming for her anymore, they told me to take it to a local vet who should treat it free of charge because it's a wild animal. I just put oil on her ticks to try and get rid of them. I enjoyed that about as much as she did. I hate ticks!!!

rha3l · #14 (**permalink**) 08-05-2006, 08:12 PM

A tick-free hedgie! I was wrong, it's a boy not a girl (silly me. Well, I'm still learning). I re-named it Prickles, and he doesn't have any ticks attached to him anymore (not live ones anyway, and hopefully no dead ones either!)

rha3l · #15 (**permalink**) 08-05-2006, 08:13 PM

On the mend hedgie

wildone · #16 (**permalink**) 08-05-2006, 08:32 PM

Now I suppose it is a matter of getting the spines out of you. Ouch!

rha3l · #17 (**permalink**) 08-05-2006, 08:41 PM

what?

wildone · #18 (**permalink**) 08-05-2006, 08:49 PM

You mean to say you didn't get any of his spines in you as you handled him.

rha3l · #19 (**permalink**) 09-05-2006, 06:47 AM

Of course not, I used an old cloth to pick him up in so I wouldn't get prickled by Prickles, lol.

rha3l · #20 (**permalink**) 09-05-2006, 11:58 AM

My Hedgehog went to the vet today, he's been treated for ticks and mites, and as long as he's eating ok I should let him go tonight.

rha3l · #21 (**permalink**) 09-05-2006, 08:59 PM

That's it. He's gone. And guess who showed up just as I was releasing Prickles? Spike! Prickles waited until the coast was clear, then he went into the nearest bush to hide. Then after a little while, he shot off down the path and into the ivy growing up the fence to hide. I'm sure he'll be fine now. I'll miss him though. He won't miss me, he's glad to be free. It's a pity he just can't understand I was helping him. Never mind. I got to say goodbye.

rha3l · #22 (**permalink**) 12-05-2006, 06:49 AM

If anyone was wondering what Spike looks like...

rha3l · #23 (**permalink**) 19-05-2006, 10:21 PM

Prickles!!! Prickles came back!! I didn't recognise him, but I'm sure it's him! His ears look perfectly normal again! He looks great! He ate a whole pouch of cat food yesterday and half a pouch today. I'm so happy! I've got my Prickles back!

cherrybee · #24 (**permalink**) 19-05-2006, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rha3l

Prickles!!! Prickles came back!! I didn't recognise him, but I'm sure it's him! His ears look perfectly normal again! He looks great! He ate a whole pouch of cat food yesterday and half a pouch today. I'm so happy! I've got my Prickles back!

Lovely I told you he might come back after he got over the shock of being caught lol

Hedgehog help

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