T'is a hard life....

[Hedgehoggy]

Originally Posted by cara pace

Im a veterinary nursing assistant at a small animal practice

Well, your hoggy certainly turned up in the right garden then!

Originally Posted by cara pace

to answer your question about Xeno 450 -it is an endectocide and kills both endoparasites and ectoparasites. It contains 800mcg/g Ivermectin. It is used for the control of mites, roundworms and lice in rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets over 16 weeks of age. The animal needs to weigh over 800g. I have picked up some info from them today from work and I will give them a ring tomorrow to check if it is safe for use in hedghogs as it doesn't say. I will let you know what they say.

Fantastic, much appreciated!

In my earlier rushed post I didn’t mention that if you’re aiming to release the hedgehog on a mild winter’s day, you’ll need to keep him warm indoors until he reaches a safe hibernation weight (700g is now recommended as the minimum safe weight for a winter release). You probably know all this already! - but for anyone in a similar situation reading this, I’ll continue.... Once he reaches that weight he’ll need ‘hardening-off’ for approx one week in an unheated garage/shed/outdoor pen, but you may find he’ll promptly go into hibernation, so you’ll need to hang onto him until the spring if that happens, otherwise release on a mild day (not during rain). If he does go into hibo during the hardening-off period, you’ll still need to leave food and water for him every day because they often rouse during hibernation and during this weakened state may come out in search of a fat-reserve top up (dried food e.g. good quality kitten/cat bics is best because it won’t need replacing on a daily basis unlike wet cat/dog meat that will, and also dried food won’t freeze into a solid block of ice, unlike the wet food which contains a high water content).

If you decide to over-winter until the spring instead of a winter release, or if he doesn’t gain sufficient weight for a winter release, you could move the hedgehog to a cooler environment earlier (unheated garage/shed) when he reaches approx 550-600g, where he will hibernate when he’s ready.

The above are merely guidelines and don't have to be strictly adhered to. Hope that all makes sense, if not just shout and ask away!

[Sparklebug]

Well...in a word.........ADORABLE

[Hedgehoggy]

Originally Posted by Sparklebug

Well...in a word.........ADORABLE

They are indeed... until they're no longer babies and transform into a large hissing huffing solid spikey ball - ouch!

[CharlieCreek]

Originally Posted by cara pace

He has gained 31 grams since last night!

He certainly has turned up in the right garden.

They can put on surprising amounts of weight especially if you suplement their diet, which if active at this time of year is a must. 30 grams as you have seen is not out of the question, one of our tyes in with us at the moment put on nearly 50 grams in one night. Sometimes it is a case of keeping up with what they want to eat until they round off.

[cara pace]

Thanks Hegehoggy and CharlieCreek.
Wow, CharlieCreek! That's a happy hedgehog, what's your secret?!

I have just spoken to Genitrix about Xeno 450 -they were very helpful.

Xeno is NOT approved for use in the treatment of hedgehogs - HOWEVER, they report that it has been used to successfully treat hedgehogs with mites, ticks, lice and roundworms and in view of the fact there is a struggle to find a product specifically for use in hedgehogs it can be used in the following way:

Xeno 50 mini
Ivermectin 100 Mcg's per gram

This is for use from 10 grams in weight up to 800grams

Xeno 450
800mcg/g Ivermectin

From 800 grams upwards

Alternatively for use in practice - if your vet uses it, there is a spray Xeno 200 - this is 1 pump per 100g of bodyweight (0.2ml)
(400mcg/kg bodyweight)
This can't be used under 100g bodyweight.

I'd be happy to send you a copy of the data sheet with the relevant weight ranges/dosage information or your vet's may have one if they stock it. Or I can pm you the contact details which may be handy for you.

It's certainly useful to know, and it may work out a cheaper option too. I will be using it on the hedgehog I have!

[CharlieCreek]

No secret, just hedge'pigs' I guess!

I'd be interested in the data on the Xeno as well if possible.

[pattie may]

It is with sadness and a lot of regret that I must tell you that Humphrey died in the early hours of this morning.

I am very grateful to CharlieCheek, who has cared for Humphrey over the past week.

Humphrey had an extremly heavy worm burden and was given the appropriate medication together with three hourly feeds. Unfortunately he wasn't well enough or strong enough to recover.

I wish that I had taken the advice of Hedgehoggy and CharlieCheek and seeked help earlier. Earlier intervention may have saved his life. On the other hand if I hadn't picked him, he would have died anyway as he was underweight when I found him.

[cara pace]

Of course CharlieCreek, the offer was to you too.
I have sent you a PM (if it's worked) I've also sent it to you Hedgehoggy.
I know what you mean about hedge'pigs' - this little fella has gone up 37 grams since last night! He now weighs 393 grams. What a clever boy!

[cara pace]

I'm sorry Pattie may, my post crossed with yours.

Please remember that you gave Humphrey a chance by intervening. It is very hard, but without you, he wouldn't have had any chance at all.

[CharlieCreek]

Originally Posted by cara pace

I have sent you a PM (if it's worked)

PM received, thank you.