mouse_chalk
Well-Known Member
I just had to post this quickly because I know some of you have seen on Facebook!
Last night, the security light came on in our garden. This usually means either cats or hedgehogs in the summer months. We couldn't see a cat, but we spotted a small hedgehog walking really slowly down by the hedge near the house. Steve knows someone who fosters hedgehogs so he knew that if they're too small, at this time of year, they can't be left outside on their own. He went out to have a closer look, and it was indeed pretty small. He didn't even try to move or run when we got near to him. We got him in the carrier and inside, and Steve dashed to the shops for some cat food.
He stayed the night in the carrier, with a snugglesafe heatpad, some food and water and a cosy towel, in our spare room. He seems healthy enough, except that he had some diarrhea last night and this morning, although he looks a little better now. Apparently that could either be the stress, the change in diet,etc. We were told initially by Steve's friend to feed him some goat's milk, when we thought he was much younger, which has now been removed. Supposedly it wont do any harm, but he doesn't need it, according to the rescue people.
Steve has contacted a local hedgehog rescue centre who put us in touch with a local fosterer for sick and baby hedgies. They both said that they could take him in, but they also feel that we're perfectly capable of looking after him and would do a good job with him. Either way he can't be released until he is at least 650grams, and then only when there's a mild spell of weather, so it could be that he'd end up staying until the spring! :shock: We're to talk about it tonight, whether it would be best for him to go to the fosterer/rescue or if it might keep some of the strain off them if he stayed with us. The only issue with that could be fleas, if he has them- he's completely separate from the rabbits but we need to think about that some.
For now though, Mr Prickle is safe and warm at least! He weighs 300grams right now, which is about 0.5 pounds I think.
Oh, and did I mention he is the cutest thing EVER?!!! SO CUTE!
Last night, the security light came on in our garden. This usually means either cats or hedgehogs in the summer months. We couldn't see a cat, but we spotted a small hedgehog walking really slowly down by the hedge near the house. Steve knows someone who fosters hedgehogs so he knew that if they're too small, at this time of year, they can't be left outside on their own. He went out to have a closer look, and it was indeed pretty small. He didn't even try to move or run when we got near to him. We got him in the carrier and inside, and Steve dashed to the shops for some cat food.
He stayed the night in the carrier, with a snugglesafe heatpad, some food and water and a cosy towel, in our spare room. He seems healthy enough, except that he had some diarrhea last night and this morning, although he looks a little better now. Apparently that could either be the stress, the change in diet,etc. We were told initially by Steve's friend to feed him some goat's milk, when we thought he was much younger, which has now been removed. Supposedly it wont do any harm, but he doesn't need it, according to the rescue people.
Steve has contacted a local hedgehog rescue centre who put us in touch with a local fosterer for sick and baby hedgies. They both said that they could take him in, but they also feel that we're perfectly capable of looking after him and would do a good job with him. Either way he can't be released until he is at least 650grams, and then only when there's a mild spell of weather, so it could be that he'd end up staying until the spring! :shock: We're to talk about it tonight, whether it would be best for him to go to the fosterer/rescue or if it might keep some of the strain off them if he stayed with us. The only issue with that could be fleas, if he has them- he's completely separate from the rabbits but we need to think about that some.
For now though, Mr Prickle is safe and warm at least! He weighs 300grams right now, which is about 0.5 pounds I think.
Oh, and did I mention he is the cutest thing EVER?!!! SO CUTE!
