top of page

  How to recognize a poorly hedgehog

 

(For more information please take an opportunity to look at the following books - Kay Bullen - Hedgehog Rehabilitation; and

The Natural Hedgehog Book by Lenni Sykes and Jane Durant)

 

The following observations will help you identify a poorly hedgehog

 

from a distance

out during the day -( The 2 exceptions to this can be a hedgehog that has just had its nest disturbed in which case it might be possible to quickly replace the nest material in the hope that the hedgehog returns to the nest   OR it can be a mother hedgehog out collecting extra bedding or food - she will look like she is on a mission and then she will disappear straight back under a pile of leaves or into her nest)

staggering/wobbling

laying or curled up out in the open on the lawn or patio for a period

dragging  a leg

flies around it

 

close up

bleeding

bottom pointed not rounded

eyes dull

dehydrated

skin loose

fly eggs - looking like small grains of rice

maggots

breathing

droppings

twitching, fitting

unpleasant smell - infection, stomach complaint, fallen in something - oil etc

something stuck in mouth

mouth not closing properly

spines missing/falling out, mucky skin

netting / thread tourniquet around leg or body - often very hard to see without a bright light and magnifying glasses - often it will have cut through skin - so do not pull,

 

bottom of page