Found a hedgehog you are concerned about? Check out the below information to help determine whether or not to intervene. If in any doubt call the rescue on 01724 872726 and we will be able to give you advice over the phone.
A hedgehogs natural defence is to freeze and if it feels threatened, curl into a ball. This is their natural behaviour and not a cause for concern, they will very rarely run away.
As they are a nocturnal animal any daytime activity is a cause for concern. Contact a rescue as soon as possible. There are exceptions to this particularly during breeding season with adult females – contact a rescue for advice.
Injuries: any signs of blood, limping, or injuries will require immediate assessment by your local vet.
Flystrike: hedgehogs out during the daytime will often have flystrike, this looks like miniature yellow grains of rice or sawdust and will require immediate treatment by a vet or a rescue.
Any hedgehog found to be entangled or entrapped must not be rereleased, even once freed from its predicament. They will require a period of monitoring for complications at a vets or a rescue before they can be released. Entrapment cases will need assessment to ensure claws and feet are not damaged, they may also require support with temperature and hydration.
A few ticks is quite natural and NOT a cause for concern or a reason to intervene. Hedgehogs with a large number of ticks will require assessment at a vets or rescue.
Weight alone isn’t a reason for admission unless we are heading into the colder months. If you have any concerns about a hedgehog and it does not fall into one of the above categories please contact a rescue for advice before you intervene.
If you find a hedgehog in need of help outside of the rescues opening hours:
- Use a pair of gardening gloves or an old fleece to scoop the hedgehog up and place it in a high sided box.
- Provide a blanket or fleece, the hedgehog will feel much safer if it is covered over.
- Fill an empty plastic bottle with warm tap water, seal it, and place it in beside the hedgehog to act as a hot water bottle – it’s important this is only a gentle heat and that the hedgehog can move away from it if it wants to.
- Provide a shallow dish or saucer of water. Do not offer food until you have taken some advice.
- Call your local vet. You will be transferred to the vets hospital branch or advised of the out of hours procedure. There is NO CHARGE to a member of the public for taking a wild animal into the vets. The vet will be able to triage over the phone and if required admit the hedgehog providing stabilisation care and pain relief before getting in touch with their nearest rescue the next day.