Hedgehog poo

[Blackdogjnr]

Hi,

last night I put some food out for our hedgehog and beside the bowl this morning was a brown dropping much softer than usual and not at all like the dark cylindrical droppings I have come to recognise.

I scattered some sand outside the feeding station and the tracks are definitely from a hog.

So I'm wondering, upon waking from hibernation are the digestive systems of a hedgehog likely to be different, or is it that their poos become black and cylindrical when they've had a belly full of inverts, beetles and slugs etc?

[tawnyman]

I know that their droppings can be quite loose if, like us, they've eaten something that doesn't agree with them. I tend to stick to a ready-made hedgehog food like 'Spikes'. I'd imagine their poo would be quite compacted and solid after hibernation.
Julian

[Wild-Woman]

Perhaps when the beetle population gets going, the hedgehog will be eating those and it's droppings will take on that characteristic black, crushed shell texture again.

[Blackdogjnr]

One big bag of Spikes dinner purchased

Thanks!

[Hedgehoggy]

Yes, the colour and consistency will vary with diet. Pre and post-hibernation I've noticed most of their stools are very black, tinged with dark green staining and rather tarry in some cases. Of course, there are always exceptions and such stools outside of these times could again reflect diet.

I should point out here that if the stools are of a green jelly/mucous consistency, this is almost always indicative of a heavy worm infestation/gastro infection, which will need veterinary treatment.

Originally Posted by Blackdogjnr

One big bag of Spikes dinner purchased

[Blackdogjnr]

Hiya,

Spikes dinner is going down a real treat, but last night I found yet another soft poo, a little too green for my liking too.

Hopefully run into him at some point and examine the little critter, I haven't yet laid eyes on him, so may stay up later tonight if it's dry and warm enough and reassure myself that he is in good condition.

If not I'll take him somewhere for treatment if he continues to have a poorly tummy.

One question, if I did seek treatment would he come back to me for release in my garden again?

Thanks

BDJ

[Hedgehoggy]

If the poo continues to look green, and you’re unable to catch sight of hoggy - let alone actually catch him! - you could initially treat him for worms yourself and see how things are after a course of wormer. A safe and effective (and palatable) wormer I use on my hogs is Panacur. You can buy it in paste, liquid or granule formula. I use the ‘Adult Cat 10% liquid’ formula as I find it easier to administer, and just adjust the dosage according to hog’s weight. You just mix the required dose in hoggy’s food for five days, then repeat two week’s later. You can buy Panacur from any vet surgery, but it’s much cheaper to buy online If you do decide to worm hoggy yourself and are unsure of dosage, just let me know roughly what size he is and I’ll calculate the dosage for you (that's if you manage to catch sight of him, if not he can still be wormed 'blindly' on a safe dose).

If hoggy is poorly and needs further treatment, I see absolutely no reason why you couldn’t have him back after treatment (just make it known that you definitely want him back). It’s far better for the hog to be released where he was found, especially if he has a kind fairy hogmother looking out for him.

[pattie may]

Not sure if I'm allowed to say but Pets at home sell 10% panacur. It's on their website.

[Hedgehoggy]

Thanks pattie, I didn't know that! I'll go and compare prices

[Blackdogjnr]

Hi Hoggy and Pattie,

Thanks for the advice... I have a pets at home nearby so I'll have a looky tonight after work!

Good news is I finally managed to catch a glimpse of our local critter! He was snuffling around in the garden next door last night.
I waited 2 hours on the patio for him to come over to ours but got very tired and had to give up.

I'll check for droppings this afternoon.
I guess if I look out every night I'll be able to suss out his routine and preferred route through the gardens.
He looked a decent size, but is hard to tell by torchlight, can't wait to get nose to nose with him again though....