Hedgehog fleas

[lincs lass]

Hedgepigs that are brought in where I work, have ticks removed and a quick spray of frontline.......doesn't seem to harm them.

[mystic meg]

Hedgehogs brought into our wildlife hospital are given a powder(Rid-mite), we never use something like frontline it is far too strong smelling, and can cause the h/hog distress.Healthy hedgehogs in the wild cannot be squeaky clean, otherwise they would have no inmmunity. Hedgehogs that are suffering with a health problem will more than likely have a heavy parasite burden.
In this case I would think it perfectly normal for him to have a good scratch, unless he looks unhealthy.
I picked up a poorly badger cub last week, you should have seen the parasites on him! and me after I tried to warm him up under my jacket!

[ripplingwave]

British Hedgehog Preservation Society

There is a quick link for some info

The alcohol content in frontline spray is toxic to them, rabbits and ferrets amongst other small furries.

Hedgehogs, if not in full health, can suffer from anaemia brought on my severe flea or tick infestations so if he/she is constantly scratching they must have alot and will be beneficial for them to have a powdering!
I think the OP said it was her resident hedgehog so im guessing she will know whether or not it is a suckling mother?

[ripplingwave]

ooops Pete already linked to the site haha!

[JeanieandJoey]

Please, please don't use frontline spray as reccommended by my vet! I've lost 2 out of three juvenille hedgehogs which were doing very well and gaining weight within 36 hours of a tiny spray of frontline behind their necks! Other vets have also recommended 'frontline spray' to me!

I've since learned its far too toxic and contains alot of alchohol.

I wasn't happy when the vet gave no antibiotics or treatment for one which had ringworm! Since I came away I'm so upset to have lost the 2 tiny ones tonight and the bigger one isn't eating as he was before the treatment. I'm totally gutted as they were doing so well.

I've just joined the forum to warn people not to use it. I think I've read that you can dab some frontline directly onto ticks if you can't get them off, but please, please seek more advice from hedghog preservation society or rescue organisations. I did all of this and then went to vet to get them checked over for worms and to treat ringworm!!! Be warned the vet didn't know what they were doing and I'm annohyed that other vets have also reccommended 'frontline' spray for hedghogs!

I'm going to see if the hedghog preservastion society can make vets aware because I won't be listened to alone and they have the clout needed. Wether they will or not I don't know. There should be some sort of vets newspaper or something that could have an ad put in??? Don't know but vets do need informing somehow!

[Cowgirl]

Ok then, questions.

I have a 'regular' who looks to be in good health when I picked him up he was covered in fleas though, which can't be good for hibernation. He uses my feeding station each night. If I got some of the chicken powder anti mites stuff & sprinkled it on the floor of the box would that help against fleas & ticks? I have a few agricultural animal health shops locally.

Also, reading on the hedgehog preservation link worming should also be carried out. Could I put some worming powder into the bowl of grub I put out for him? What product do people recommend? As an aside I do have dog wormers (Drontal Plus 1 tablet for 10kg) if I score off a few crumbs, would that work or would that be far too strong? I've rather taken to my garden friend & would like to keep him/her in tip top health.

[Farplace]

Most of the hedgehog I take in have been flea-free, however, DO NOT use products like Frontline and similar on hedgehog fleas, as they are toxic. Pyrethrum (sp) is more natural and can be used with care, but please ensure they don't eat it!
As for worming, I use Panacur 10% kitten wormer which kills most worms and is safe for hedgehogs.

[CharlieCreek]

Hi Cowgirl,

Some hedgehogs don't have any fleas but others do have a few which isn't an issue to the hedgehog. However if the hedgehog is 'crawling' with fleas then it would be my advice to contact a local hedgehog rescuer as a hedgehog that is crawling with them can have other unseen 'to the eye' issues and needs to be looked at by someone with some experience. If however it is a few fleas then I wouldn't be too concerned.

There are various wormers used on hedgehogs and each treats different types of worms with some more effective on some types than others, which is why with worming a sample is taken and looked at under a microscope to see what is present in conjunction with other observed symptoms.

My main advice would be to remember that this is a wild animal. As such apart from leaving some food out and making a wildlife friendly garden (and keeping an eye out for how it seems to be and enjoying having such a fantastic guest to your garden) it should be left alone to be a wild animal.

Therefore I would not suggest trying to put fea powders down or to worm it. If the hedgehog shows signs of not behaving normally, of being ill or in this case if it is covered in fleas then contact a hedgehog carer or animal hospital who can take it in for a while to check it over and then make a diagnosis and treat as such or just release it straight back if there are no issues.

I noticed on this thread a couple of links to the BHPS page on 'Hedgehogs in Enclosed Gardens' with advice on worming etc which is a different situation. Hedgehogs in enclosed gardens will be ones that have been rescued and for whatever reason, it might be an amputee, they cannot be released into the wild. So in this case for example a rescuer will have found a person with a suitable garden that the hedgehog can live it's days out in in captivity and is not the same as a visiting hedgehog to a garden.

[Cowgirl]

Thanks Farplace, CharlieCreek, I was beginning to worry that I should be doing 'more'. I'd only skipped over the site. I understand re it's a wild animal, I sometimes get a bit overenthusiastic about stuff . He seems in good health so I'll just keep an eye on him. Cheers.

Several months ago next door was telling me that they'd found a hedgehog not moving about much in daylight so they put it in a box in their back yard, they were of the opinion that vets would charge (which I know ours don't as I've taken an owl there once) so didn't consider taking it. Sadly it died a few hours later. So I told the little girl who's about 10, next time she finds something like that to bring it to me & I'll sort it out (ie find someone, probably after consulting on here! )