Hedgehogs

On the way home just now l spotted two hoggies in the road.. I know.. probably should have left them there but had the kids with me and didn't want anyone to run them over.

One absolutely stinks and is not moving much, the other is tucking in to cat food. Plan was to feed them, weigh them (read if they're under 650g to get them to the vets) and let them back out after the kids gone to bed.. any other suggestions please? Might be a bit late for @Kandy @luciusmaximus ?

 

Hi Linz

Can u describe how the smelly hog actually smells? Hogs do have a particular body odour, bit like damp leaves and soil. Does the smelly hog have any obvious injuries that you can see? Any blood? Is it able to curl up? Does it wobble or feel cold to the touch? Has it eaten anything?

Have you weighed the hogs yet? They both look autumn juveniles but difficult to say without seeing them, of course. If they are they will need to be taken to a hedgehog carer or maybe a vet can help. If you can could u give them a blanket ( old towel, fleece jumper, etc ) and a heat source such as a hot water bottle or even plastic drinks bottle filled with hot water ( both would need to be wrapped in a towel ). I am happy to give u my phone number if you want any more advice.

Well done for stopping to pick them up .

 

Thanks for replying so quick Lucius. The smell is kind of like fresh wet dog poo..sorry if you've just ate. No obvious signs of injury, he/she can curl up and has come round to eating but does feel a bit cold. I've put a plate of water in since but neither have drunk. I was going to weigh after little one has gone to bed which is in the next 5 mins so I might not reply for a bit but as soon as I do weigh them I'll update you on it. I shall look for my hot water bottle too. Again thank you.

 

You are welcome.

 

The one that smells is 335g, it doesn't quite curl up as the other one it leaves its back feet out.. sadly, it looks as if it does have a gash on it's head (looks as if it's spikes are seperated) and is not as bright/alert as the other one but it is back eating now. It also breathes alot quicker than the smaller one which weighs 270g (and hasn't stopped eating). And since I typed that they have both snuggled up together on top of the hot water bottle and gone to sleep..I took some pics I'll grab my phone now.

 

The cut


Sleeping

 

Oh, poor little mites . They are babies as I suspected. I wish I was nearer. They will need to be taken to a carer or a vet. The elongated, rugby ball shape is typical of an underweight hog. Its likely a little dehydrated too. Difficult to say without seeing the head injury in person but looks like some spines missing, it could be a bite wound, sorry I really can't tell from the photo. Is there a rescue or vet who can help?

 

The smell is likely infection rather than actual dog poo and its possible it might have more injuries that you can't see. The head injury doesn't look fresh.

 

@Linz Bless them and you thank god you saw them and they're at least warm dry and safer with you until they get specialist/vet care ...I found a local helpline number- hope they get sorted for them and you ASAP

CONTACT US | Hedgehog Helpline



In the meantime.......Sending hedgehugs for you all

 

Ahh, there was thick puss like liquid which I thought might have been wee at first when I first picked her/him up and put it in the box, it probably is an infected wound more I think and look at her. I will take them to my cats' vet, tomorrow they are pretty good there. Thank you for all your help, really appreciated. I could see they were quite small and out in the open, I thought best take them in. I'm not holding much hope for the injured one tbh.. we'll see.. I'll update the thread tomorrow.

 

Thank you @BeeHappy that's fab will give them a ring first thing and probably take them to the vets straight after school run in the morn

 

Can you see where the pus is draining from? It could be another wound but a heavy internal parasite burden can cause a gastric type infection, which presents as pus draining from the rectum often accompanied with green, slimy poo. Its a fair bet this little hog will have a burden and the sibling too. If you can see an external wound it may be possible to bathe with warm salt water and/or drain the pus with a 1ml syringe. There's not a lot else you can do except keep them warm and quiet until you can get them to a vet. Well done for stopping to help, its a very kind thing you've done. They would have likely been run over if you hadn't. I will keep my fingers crossed for them tomorrow and please keep me updated.

 

It was coming near the back end :( I gave it a run under the tap last night. Both were still alive this morning, didn't think one wouldd make it. I cleaned up the box and gave a half pouch of cat food and took them over the vets this morning, I told them about the wounds and how heavy they were, apparently, they will send them to the wildlife hospital down the Gower. I'll ring up later this afternoon to see whats happened

 

Thanks for the update Linz. Glad to hear both made it through the night thanks to you. Hopefully the Gower rescue will be able to sort them out.

Do you live close to the Gower? When we lived in South Wales we used to go to the Gower beaches and further along the coast , Rhosili, St David's, etc. I still remember wonderful fish and chips at Port Eynon.. I do miss it sometimes, such a beautiful, unspoilt part of the Welsh coastline.

 

Awww Linz so pleased to read that they were still with you this morn Bless um ...and as @luciusmaximus rightly says ALL thanks to you and your kind care Will look forward to your update when you get time ....once again Hedgehugzzz to you all