Title: Dying Hedgehog...or Not?
Description: Hedgehog in yard...severely sick?
Anaya - August 27, 2005 10:50 PM (GMT)
Yesterday we found a hedgehog in our yard.
My daughter was glad to find a little friend and loved watching him eat. But today we notcied that a huge piece of his skin and quills was missing and dangling on his back exposing a thick grey hide. I also noticed that on his rump there were white little worms crawling all over. It really freaked me out.
We have a cat who I am afraid may catch whatever this hedgehog has...
Can anyone tell me what to do?!?!?
-Anaya
Tommy - August 27, 2005 10:57 PM (GMT)
you should take it to the vet!
JarrodRossi - August 27, 2005 11:53 PM (GMT)
Yes, take it to the vet if you can. its probably infected.
Robyn - August 28, 2005 02:17 AM (GMT)
Anaya also sent me an e-mail. Here was my reponse:
"Yikes! It sounds like the hedgehog was skinned. This might occur from a predator but a lawn mower or other human tool/vehicle comes to mind. The exposed flesh would quickly attract flies so that the parasites you see are maggots eating the hedgehog alive. The hedgehog may or may not be too far gone. You need to get him to a hedgehog rescue ASAP...."
Here was the response back:
"We are in New Zealand actually. We called the SPCA this morning and described the hedgehog to them. They told us if we caught it, they would send someone out to collect him which they did. The person who collected it examined it and told us that this time of the year the hedgehogs get what is called "mange". He said they would take it back to their clinic, inject it with some antibiotics and vitamins and within a few days it would be well enough to release back into the "bush". The kids were ecstatic."
My response:
"Ok, good. I am familiar with mange but it didn't seem to match your description. I'm glad he will be okay!"
JarrodRossi - August 28, 2005 02:52 AM (GMT)
whew! the way it was described i was imagining a maggot infested opened wound (sorry for the mental image that conjurs up).
my sisters dog somehow got skinned once... on her back, a piece of flesh was coming off, it looked like she got into some razor wire, but she didnt even act hurt, she just went about her business, until they took her to the vet. i rubbed some neosporin on her and wrapped her up, until they could get there.
Tommy - August 28, 2005 01:02 PM (GMT)