young hedgehog 305grams out this morning

[dampflippers]

Hi all,
I have just seen a young hedgehog (305g) out at 11am. It was raining, so I don't know if it was out because it's home was damp.
While collecting my thoughts I put some dried hedgehog food in front of it. It ate some, then wandered off.

Meantime I prepared a plastic storage box with newspaper, more food and water. It is now in it in the garage, but not sure whether I was over reacting. It didn't look distressed, and was quite sprightly.

I've got to pop out now, but will do some research later, but any advice from any readers will be very welcome.

[valleyforge]

Hi dampflippers,

I believe you have acted correctly ... any incidence of a hedgehog out and about in daylight always warrants closer inspection.

305g is rather on the light side for a hedgehog, so there may be an underlying health problem that would be worth investigating further.

There could equally be an entirely 'innocent' and natural explanation too for this behaviour ... its sleeping site may have been disturbed and it was just looking for a more secure location ... as you suggest, it may have been moving to escape some localized flooding ... or it may simply have been making the most of the wet weather to find more surface worms, slugs, snails and other invertibrates that may have been scarcer during any extended dry period (I know some parts of the UK have been quite dry recently, although it's certainly not been the case up here ).

In any case, it would be wise to perhaps have the hoggie checked over by a wildlife rehabiltator who's experienced with hedgehogs ... in particular it needs to be checked that there's no dehydration or visual impairment ... probably the two most common reasons that hogs go walkabout during the day.

Check the BHPS website for carers/rehabbers in your area, or let us know your general whereabouts and we'll try and help with some appropriate contact details.

[dampflippers]

Thanks, I'll check the carers list.
It IS a young one, but looking at the Hedghog pres soc website, this means approx 6-7 weeks by which it should be eating puppy food and water in captivity.

A few gardens along they had their front garden paved over last week, and my neighbour has a gardener who keeps the garden "tidy" and clears all dead leaves and under shrubs etc, so this could be the cause. But as you say, it HAS been very dry recently so may just have been hungry.

I'll check it over next time I have a look. Last time it was trying hard to get out of the box, so this leads me to think it is not injured.

If I end up caring for it until it is 450g, is the garage ok or does it need to be in the house?

[valleyforge]

It of course depends a lot on where you are in the country, but it is rather early in the year still for it to be one of this year's, I would have thought.

More likely perhaps to have been born late last year and has lost much weight over winter.

If you can do a quick dehydration test, it will be fairly clear whether or not it requires immediate veterinary attention .... gently pull on a couple of spines at a few places on its body ... if the skin 'tents' and doesn't immediately spring back, but drops slowly ... then the hog is severly dehydrated and should be taken to your vet for treatment.

If all looks OK, then he/she should be fine in your garage for now, provided there are no fuel/paint/solvent fumes around ... hogs have very sensitive noses and respiratory tracts.

If all else checks out OK, there's probably no need to keep the hog in detention until its weight recovers ... it should do that naturally now if the weather and local food supply is conducive.

Once given the all-clear ... it should of course be released, near where you found it, and after dark.

[dampflippers]

I'll try that.
I'm in the north east. It does look young rather than a skinny old one. I'll take a photo if I can. Really cute actually!

[valleyforge]

Most young are born late May through to mid September, so the first of this year's new-borns wouldn't be out of the nest before mid June or so ... that's why I think it is more than likely, particularly for your location, one born late last year who was just close to a survivable weight before hibernating.

[dampflippers]

Update.
Both eyes bright.
Spines not loose.
Curl up reflex works.
Really likes Gourmet dog food in those little packs.

[dampflippers]

[valleyforge]

It's looking good, dampflippers ... nice set of pictures and all signs are very encouraging. Bright eyes is always a good sign.

Next thing, since stuff appears to be going in OK, is to check that what's coming out is also OK.

The shape, colour and texture of the faeces can be quite diagnostic in determining the inner workings ... would also be good to post a photo or two of them too perhaps, when he/she produces something.

[Marcia]

Hi Dampfippers, well done rescuing the skinny hog. I agree with VF, he doesn't look like a hoglet, more likely to be an underweight adult, poor thing. I've noticed in the 1st picture is that there's something stuck on his fur, beside the left ear, between the spines and the soft fur? Could be just mud, but looks like a pellet... just wondering in case it's a slug pellet...

You could mix a bit of water with his Gourmet food, just to make sure he gets rehydrated.

He might be tired from lack of sleep... They like to sleep undercovers, so some old towels or fleeces would be great.

Let us know when he does a poop and more important, a wee.

Good luck to your hog, I hope he gets fat and fit soon