Injured hedgehogs

If you see a hedgehog out in the open during the day you can be sure there is a problem.  These nocturnal creatures usually hunt and feed at night and sleep the daylight hours away.   There is no difficulty in picking Mr.Hedgehog up – all you need is a towel or piece of cloth (gloves also) and handle him gently.   Most hedgehogs roll in to a ball when touched, if he doesn’t it usually means he is really ill.

Examine him as much as you can, if you can persuade him to unroll (try scratching the top of his head) you will be able to see if there are any actual injuries.  Often the hedgehog has been poisoned by eating slug pellets.   Or he might have a cold or even pneumonia.   The best option is to take him to the vet – a cardboard box with newspaper in the bottom and a towel in as well – is ideal.  Hedgehogs like to be covered up so another towel or a piece of soft material will help.

All too frequently the hedgehog is injured, they get some terrible wounds and have legs missing when they come in here.  Please do your gardening with the hedgehogs in mind – disturb the undergrowth first if you can, to give them chance to get out of the way.

You can bring hedgehogs in to us at any time during our opening hours – 10.0am to 4.0pm.  You do not need to make an appointment, if you find injured or poorly hedgehogs just bring them along and we’ll do our best to save them.  It’s best not to delay, bring them to us straight away, early treatment makes all the difference between life and death.