Harry Hedgehog

[2dogs2000]

Yesterday a colleague at work brought me a present She found this hedgehog wandering in her garden and as he was so small she brought him/her to work for me to see to. I will be taking him to a wildlife centre on Saturday but in the meantime I am looking after him/her. My colleague is on the look out for any siblings.

Harry (name chosen not by me) weighs 237g and has two ticks that I can see plus a few fleas but not too many to be a big problem. I will buy some Johnsons insecticidal powder for small animals tomorrow. I have put some cooking oil on the ticks to see if they will drop off.
He/she is eating/drinking/pooing and weeing so no problems there. he/she also seems to be breathing okay.

The only problem I have is how do you get them to unfold their bodies to get a look for any other problems and to sex him/her.

Oh I nearly forgot......... he/she thinks he/she is a dog


In the dogs bed




Drinking from the dogs bowl (he has his own)

[Farplace]

what a cutie! Keep us posted please.

[Wild-Woman]

Good job Harry was found, he/she needs to be a least 600g before hibernation.
Keep us updated.

[Littlesparrow]

Are so sweet, want one. I love the way he is in a huge dog bed.

[Hedgehoggy]

Aaww what a sweetie!

As for uncurling a hog, my preferred method is to place the [curled] hedgehog on a flat surface, or your lap, then using both hands alternately (gloved if not use to sharp spikes!) firmly, and briskly, stroke the hedgehog downwards from top to bottom – after a short while the hedgehog should uncurl fully and once uncurled continue with the stroking for a few secs longer, then with your left hand (if you’re right handed), press down gently, but firmly, on the hedgehog’s nape of the neck, all the while continuing with the firm stroking with your right hand, then when hedgehog ‘sprawls’ out trance-like, keep your left hand pressed down on hedgehog’s nape and then gently slide your right hand about half way under hedgehog’s tummy (keeping your left hand pressed on the nape) just enough to gently lift up and slightly twist to have a look underneath.

Uncurling a juv is easier, they’re far too curious to remain curled up for long, so after they’ve uncurled, quickly slip one hand underneath their chest and the other hand just below their tummy/across the tops of their legs, preventing them from recurling, then hold in that position to check their underneath’s. If you have large hands (or if the hoglet is very small) you can slip one hand underneath them and cup their back with the other hand, and turn them over in that position to take a peek.

....Alternatively, place the hog in a glass pyrex dish, and peek underneath once the hog has uncurled!!

It’s difficult trying to describe this in words without waffling on, so perhaps when I’ve got time I’ll video the different techniques and post them up here!

In the meantime, once you’ve got your hog uncurled, here’s what to look for to determine their sex:

(N.B. the male’s organ migrates further north with age, eventually residing where you’d expect to find a belly button!)

http://wildlife1.wildlifeinformation...BabySexing.jpg

[Farplace]

Originally Posted by Hedgehoggy

Aaww what a sweetie!

As for uncurling a hog, my preferred method is to place the [curled] hedgehog on a flat surface, or your lap, then using both hands alternately (gloved if not use to sharp spikes!) firmly, and briskly, stroke the hedgehog downwards from top to bottom – after a short while the hedgehog should uncurl fully and once uncurled continue with the stroking for a few secs longer, then with your left hand (if you’re right handed), press down gently, but firmly, on the hedgehog’s nape of the neck, all the while continuing with the firm stroking with your right hand, then when hedgehog ‘sprawls’ out trance-like, keep your left hand pressed down on hedgehog’s nape and then gently slide your right hand about half way under hedgehog’s tummy (keeping your left hand pressed on the nape) just enough to gently lift up and slightly twist to have a look underneath.

http://wildlife1.wildlifeinformation...BabySexing.jpg

Most of the time this method works. Just now and again you end up with your hand trapped inside a hog as it curls up and refuses to open!

[Hedgehoggy]

Oh yes! So then you just have to go about your daily activities with said hog wrapped around your hand!!

[CharlieCreek]

Originally Posted by Hedgehoggy

....Alternatively, place the hog in a glass pyrex dish, and peek underneath once the hog has uncurled!!

now that made me laugh, sounds sordid somewhow

I had to look up the spelling to type that sentence as well...

[CharlieCreek]

Originally Posted by Farplace

Most of the time this method works. Just now and again you end up with your hand trapped inside a hog as it curls up and refuses to open!

hehe how true

[2dogs2000]

Originally Posted by Hedgehoggy

Oh yes! So then you just have to go about your daily activities with said hog wrapped around your hand!!

That is almost how I was last night.
I think it is a young male so Harry is appropriate.

Quite worried about him tonight as I think he may be hypothermic even though he has been kept indoors with newspapers and towel for warmth. He has been a bit wobbly and not interested in his food or water. I have him under a lamp at the moment and he appears to be a little more active so fingers crossed. I know at this weight/age the odds are against him but I will do my best for him and if he is still with us in the morning then I will take him to a wildlife centre. I couldn't take him before now due to work and the fact it is 20 miles to nearest centre. Hubby says we had better keep the heating on tonight for him (not us).