does anyoe know

[Karis]

i found a young hegdgehog (approx 5 weeks old) on tuesday in broad daylight on a busy street so i brought him home, he only weighed 140g and after inspecting him he seemed fine, there were no ticks or fly eggs and he had no visible injury. Until last night he seemed to be doing really well, coming out for a few minutes every couple of hours in the daytime for something to eat and drink (beef whiskas & water) and at night coming out of his bed for a wander round the house. Last night however he didnt come out at all and seemed very dozy and let me handle him more. I put him on a hot water bottle and kept my eye on him but there was no change. I got up this morning to find him sprawled on his belly and not breathing, he's obviously dead! I am really upset because for 3 days and nights he seemed lively and well. Can anyone tell me what might have happened to him???

[Hedgehoggy]

How very sad, Karis. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to give a definite reason for the hoglet’s eventual demise without a post-mortem, but most hogs found in daylight are already very poorly indeed. Hoglets found at this time of year are seemingly more susceptible to infection than hoglets born in the spring and frequently don’t respond to any treatment.

A 140g hoglet would still be living in a nest with mum and siblings and accompanying mum on nightly foraging trips, so the fact that he was out alone and in daylight would suggest that either something had happened to his mum, or their nest was disturbed. The hoglet would most certainly have been starving when you found him, and the plentiful food you supplied would have given him new vigour and a strong instinct to fight for survival, but sadly it sounds like his little system was already compromised and he was just too weak to continue.

Take comfort from the fact that you took him in when he needed help, gave him food, warmth and shelter, and did your very best for him.

[Karis]

Thanks for that, at least i know his last few days were comfortable, he seemed quite happy after bringing him home. Im a big softy when it comes to animals, having 3 cats i have rescued several small mammals and as a hedgehog was a new one for me i was really hoping he would make it. Thanks again!

[Hedgehoggy]

I like big softies! Hope you stick around the forum, and welcome to WAB btw

[Beekeeper]

As Hedgehoggy said, welcome to WAB, i forgot to add that to my post to you Karis. I have just realised that you have two posts of the same title and the answer i sent is on the other post

Ian

[stephen p]

What a shame, the poor little blighter.

Like others have said though if they are about in the day then something is wrong.

At least in his last few days he was warm and looked after. he's at rest now bless him.

Steve