what is amiss with this hedgehog, please?

[Lemars]

I have been sent some photos of a hedgehog with a problem. It was found this evening and subsequently released back into the wild - a garden a hectare or so in size, in France - to let nature take it's course. There is no means of finding help for them where we live.

The question is - what is causing this ? The hog was, apparently, eating and not distressed, but my friends would like to know the cause and if anything could be done if another (or the same ) hog appear with a similar symptoms.
C

[Hedgehoggy]

Poor hedgehog. My first thoughts looking at the photos was that he’s suffering severe mange/ringworm, but closer inspection looks more like he’s severely affected with fly-strike due to his injuries (injury on nose is evident, he may have other injuries elsewhere). The masses of yellow/white specks look like fly eggs, and in all 3 photos flies are evident on the hedgehog, which would confirm this. Once the fly eggs hatch, he’ll be crawling with maggots which will start eating him alive. He needs urgent treatment. Please search the area where he was released, he’ll likely not have travelled far.

There are hedgehog rescue centres/carers dotted around France, who'll be able to help and advise. Click here, then scroll down the page until you reach the hedgehog care contact details for France:

I hope you manage to find him again and get him treated. Good luck.

EDIT: If you do manage to find the hedgehog, in the first instance remove all the fly eggs by either brushing them off with a toothbrush, or picking them off with tweezers. This will give the hedgehog a chance of survival before seeking further help.

[Lemars]

Thank you Hedgyhoggy - I've passed on your message, but that's an awfully big area to scour for a little hedgehog.

If I hear anything else, I'll let you know.

C