Hedgehog advice needed

Kolodny

So this little guy (well I'll refer to it as a he, could be a she of course, I'm respecting its privacy) is currently residing at the bottom of my garden.

He's perfectly welcome, so no problems there but I've noticed he seems to be really suffering in the hot weather. Yesterday when I went outside, he was slowly wandering through the grass then just flaked out suddenly in a shady spot and slept there for a couple of hours (complete with snoring!) Slightly inconvenient as I was planning to mow the lawn, but didn’t have the heart to wake him. When he did finally wake I tried giving him a dish of water but he didn't seem very interested (doesn't help that a visiting cat keeps trying to drink it though). I haven’t fed him anything as he seems quite plump already but I know they’re supposed to like dried cat food and they shouldn’t be given milk. Beyond that I know very little.

Are there any hedgehog experts here that know what I could do to make him a bit more comfortable and less dehydrated? Also, as you may be able to see in the picture, there’s a little white bit attached to the back on his ear. I can’t decide if it looks organic or not. I’ve searched for stuff on hedgehog illnesses but can’t find anything that resembles this – any ideas what it might be? (sorry, the picture quality is bad, it’s taken on my phone).

mustang68

Normally hedgehogs eat things like insects and slugs/nails/worms, so he should be ok for food/water from these. I wonder is the thing behind his ear a tick? Hedgehogs harbour an enourmous amount of parasites as far as I can remember, or it could be hair gel that he didn't brush in properly.

Arcadian

If you want to know about hedgehogs these are the people to ask:D

http://www.sttiggywinkles.org.uk/body_index.htm

fabcat

I'm sorry I can't help you as I know very little about hedgehogs, I just had to say that is the cutest post I have ever seen!!

Miss Fluff

I also think that's the cutest post I have ever seen. He's adorable. Should deffo add his little picture to this www.cuteoverload.com

addie

Again not very helpful, but you and your hedgehog are so sweet!

Alun

Definitely looks like a tick behind his ear. Hedgehogs often have a lot of parasites including fleas and ticks.

Actually I'm surprised he's out and about and active during the day. The only time we've had hedgehogs in the garden they seemed to be quasi-nocturnal. You could always tell if they'd been in the garden the next morning as there was a definite well walked trail to be seen in the early morning dew on the grass ... creatures of habit.

Wish we had one now TBH ... more slugs and snails than you can shake a box of slug pellets at

Sigma Force

He doesn't sound well first sign of them being unwell is if they are out during the day, most vets will treat wildlife for free as far as I know all vets do, he could be heavily infested with ticks or fleas that are draining him but there usually is something underlying when they get so infested. If you can get him to a vet there are some people who deal with wildlife but it's better he stays in his own area once he's better.

jonny68

very nice id like a hedgehog but id be afraid my bloody dogs would eat it :eek:

Our man in Havana

I keep 2 species of hedgehogs & they are often active at dusk & dawn - & they flake out & snore when tired but his eyes looks a little sunken to me so I would take him to the vet - also weird that he is not curling up in a ball when around humans. Continue to offer water & offer ferret biscuits or cat biscuits.

I would say tho to take the little guy to the vet asap.

Kolodny

Thanks for the advice guys (and the compliments - I'll be sure to pass them on ). I haven't actually seen 'Hurley' since Friday evening, but I know he's been back in the garden as there are a couple of trails and indents in the grass where I usually find him, as Alun noticed too.

Also, I'm now sure he's getting plenty of food as our garden was slug city until a couple of weeks ago - I only find the odd one now. I'm going to keep an eye out for him each day and if I find him and he still seems lethargic, I may try to get him to a vet (and I'll take the necessary precautions while handling him obviously!)

Thanks again.

RE*AC*TOR

I'd say ring a vet and see what he or she says about treating wild animals - and that you think there is a large tick behind its ear.

A phone call anyway won't hurt and you might be able to answer some of your other questions too.