Hog Log 2019-2025
The Beginning. |
|
Hi, My name is Tas and I’m going to start to explain how it all began. After that I will just update on certain stories or funny Hedgehog adventures.
Going back in my mind, across time and space – I remember seeing hedgehogs at about the age of 7. I was lucky enough to live on a farm in Catsfield, (UK) and a canny Yorkshire man, taught me many old rural customs and folk law. He was a type of Godfather to me, and his love of shire horses and the countryside taught me many things, that I can’t quiet remember why I know that now- He could forecast the weather and even make a horse pee by whistling to it! He taught me how to uncurl a hedgehog, and how to talk to them. He showed me the humour that the corvid/crow family has in spades, they way to tell bats apart from their flying pattern – how to plait a native horses mane, and even some herbs to use in the countryside, when you had nothing else. Oh how I wish Id written it all down – but we don’t do we?
Fast forward, years later, in 2009, my husband and I were on a weekend break when we spotted one at dusk on a evening walk around the grounds. This was when I realised, I had not actually seen a hedgehog for many years. But then I was not out looking for them, either. We were still busy working with people and animals and it wasn’t until we sold, downsizing and moved to a semi rural area, near Herstmonceux that we actually saw one again.
Our dear dog, Pagan, now sadly passed alerted us to one at night in the back garden. We thought “how lovely” – and that was it. Pagan then found the gap in the fence where they travelled through at night. Thinking, back now wondering if he was trying to tell me something! After his death, life changed in many ways including within a year the start of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic. This proved to be an amazing opportunity, for us. It was a chance to take a huge step back and really look at things and life. Like many others, we started work in the garden, and eventually decided to build a Hedgehog house. Although, I did ask my husband to make three as apparently somewhere I had read that they had to be in threes! Totally untrue, but I was reading so much about them, I had little understanding as to what was true and what was just someone’s belief.
We cleared away a brick pile in the corner of the quietest garden and I decided that this was where the hedgehog village could be! I found an easy way to make a hedgehog feed station, using an under bed storage box and hey presto – we were away! Something ate there the first night!! This was on Wednesday 6th May 2020, I laid water down in one area and then sprinkled dry dust over it – just as that Yorkshire man had showed me many years ago and following day, I was delighted to see Hedgehog footprints! Not one to rest on my laurels, within a week the first CCTV unit was installed, and as if by magic, we had actual footage of these little darlin’s going in and out of the feeding station. By the 18th we knew we had three individual visitors – my excitement was contagious! But, the cameras also revealed one of dogs ambling into the area early one morning – so it was time to protect our spikey friends! A temporary enclosure was cobbled together with bits of wood and stones – no roof, but it should deter Pagan’s two sisters from being so nosy. It sort of worked, until a neighbouring cat was seen inside the enclosure -so on went a wire roof. Then I read that hedgehogs don’t like the rain – oh yes, you’ve guessed it, hubby was roped in to make a larger and more weather proof communal area!
By the time we were finished, just a month after the first house went out – we had a foot 8 ft X 10 ft log roll communal area, fully rain proof (plastic ridged sheeting) standing at about 4ft high with three hedgehog houses and a feeding station in! Then fear struck in my heart, like a mother paralysed with fear for a child – a fox scooted in through the entrance during the night of the 3rd July. Not on our watch! Hubby created an instant tunnel whilst I made a brick entrance to lessen the foxes chance of returning. I have nothing against foxes, okay maybe I do a bit. I’ve seen them destroy all the chicken in a coop and only walk off with one to eat. But - it’s a dog and its hunting or playing – so its just a fox’s nature. That does not mean a fox is going to be welcomed in the hedgehog area, far from it – when hungry enough, a fox will happily eat a hedgehog. The Yorkshire man taught me that years ago, that a sly fox will wait or push a ball of spikes into a pond, the hedgehog uncurls and fox grabs it’s dinner! Things have not changed that much over the years, at least not in the animal kingdom!
Towards the end of July, I had started looking into Hedgehog care and rehabilitation. I have tried my hand a nursing, a qualified phlebotomist amongst a complete career of too many different things, but this was a way to help the endangered little hedgehogs we’d come to love so much. So, plan 2 began.
The HMC, or Hog-monceux Medical centre. There is a large shed in the garden, normally used as club house for our archers, but with the government forcing us into lock down, it was not being used and the more we looked at it, the more we realised we could just use the end section of it as a medical room. Back to builders’ yard and an order for wood was made. We already had some 4inch open cellular foam from old archery targets I’d painted that could be used. Therefore, we knew, we already had the insulation for the project. By August it was completed. Then a lovely local lady on facebook marketplace was offering her old kitchen units free, so off goes my husband to collect it and turn this into a real useful medical room. Yes, within a week that was done too!
Then, if you believe in the power of animals or in things being connected – we got a strong message. On 10th August, whilst Terry and I were working out the next days plan of attack, sitting in the workshop next to the kitchen, there was an almighty clatter by the door. A hedgehog had decided to walk right in and knocked over a garden chair. Odd we thought but scooped it up and popped it back outside the hedgehog haven area. The very next night, one of the dogs came in and delivered the same Hedgehog to me, placing down ever so carefully next to my chair. I looked down expecting a ball, only to find it was a spikey hedgehog rolled up! Not a mark was found on the hedgehog, or the dog – it was just as if the dog bought it in and went “Here, you should know what to do with that” . This Hedgehog was fine, and was nicknamed “Magick” by Katie, as it had managed to climb onto Hogwarts, one of the houses in Hedgehog Haven.
So September came around and Terry, my husband was working on another Hedgehog design, perfecting what was right and what could be improved. Lockdown had been turned into the tier system so in between things, I’d managed to get myself and a dear friend, Katie – onto the Vale Wildlife course, booked for September. After several frantic phone calls, trying to keep up the governments changes to the tier system, we finally left for Tewkesbury and got to attend the First Aid & Rehabilitation course for Hedgehogs, before the next government lock down!
The course was inspiring, and the amount of knowledge shared was totally invaluable. If I had to be critical, I’d say it would be good if they managed to do a 2 or 3 day course as well. Once you start in rehabilitation, you suddenly realise there’s all these questions you should of asked on the course. Do not assume all vets know about Hedgehogs, for a start! You would think you could ask on some of the many forums, but you are likely to get your head bitten off by some who just “knows better”, so be warned! I have found it best to just simply write to someone on the forum and see if they reply, one such hedgehog hero, was kind enough to even post me some medication when a local vet want to look a slides of hedgehog poo with tapeworm! Oh yes, one of the things about hedgehog care is constantly needing to examine poo through a microscope – yet another necessary expense!
The next thing on the wish list was a Brinsea incubator – saw them at Vale Wildlife and they are just super awesome! They maintain a constant temperature, so weather its hot weather or cold, that incubator will remain at the same temperature – the one I decided on, was one with a built in humidifier – took a little longer to save for, but it’s already saved two lives and we’ve still only owned it for about two months!
Our first walk in patient, was the day after the Vale course! Simple tick removal but a female hog with four ticks on her eyes and numerous on her body. Fortunately, from working with other animals I know exactly how to get ticks off safely, and yes, dumping them in a small glass of vodka was yet another old way passed on from that Yorkshireman. No one else seems to do it, my mother used to drop them into methylated spirits, but I didn’t think the hedgehog would like the smell as their noses are so incredibly powerful! We nicknamed this one Becks, due to returning from Beckford the day before – and she still visits occasionally. Her weight and sample was all good, so she was released almost immediately, into the brand new design hog house. Towards the end of September, we were having an average of 12 visitors a night – I can tell this from identifying features each hog has, be it their mannerisms, or just the tilt of its nose. Watching daily night footage, from the 5 CCTV cameras – also helps! (Think that’s running at 7 now, unless you included the baby monitor, which is 8!) Still mindful of any visiting foxes, my husband decided to make a gorgeous set of garden gates – which of course meant, I had to draw an image onto wood, for him to swear at! Yes, he painstakingly, cut around every single spine. I’m not sure if he does it because he loves me, or the hedgehogs!
Then started the RAT problem. Eeekk! Or Squeak! I would say live and let live, they’re not going to harm the hedgehogs, but the neighbours may object (even though two came from under his shed every night)! They were leaving the new design houses alone due to the bends to the food area, but they were suddenly becoming rife in the communal area, we call Hedgehog Haven. Two little hogs in particular were scared by the rats and one just kept balling up every time the rat made a dash in and out for a bite of food from the food bowls. We did find a way to get rid of them. Somethings worked better than others – Apparently making a swing door on the entrance to the tunnel light enough for the hedgehog to move, will swing open for them but a rat won’t even try. Turns out, our hedgehogs couldn’t work it out either and thought I’d closed the restaurant! However, I’d tried leaving some fresh sheep wool in the haven for any hedgehog who wanted some soft nesting material (in hindsight not a great idea, as it can become entangled in their spines – but no one wanted it anyway) The huge, plus side, was that “sheep smell” that came with it – the rats couldn’t stand it! You can try pepper and growing mint but in time, most things will overcome their fear for a satisfied appetite.
We blocked some of the cracks around Hedgehog haven and then decided to excavate deeper; - One, I felt like the hunchback of notre-dame every single day that I went in to replenish or clean and two it would become more level and therefore help the little round ones not get stuck mid roll, when they rolled in a dip! So, out came the soil, slowly bucket by bucket. Then when the area was level, thanks to Facebook marketplace again, I placed some free concrete paving down and concreted it into position. This would stop the rats digging up from next door. When dry I put some of the soil back and then laid tree bark down to encourage the insects, that the hedgehogs dearly love to eat! So far – touching wood, I say “Success”!!
As autumn descended, Katie and I found ourselves collecting fallen leaves from the local footpaths, drying them out and leaving them in areas ready for the hedgehogs. Many seem delighted by this and it was delightful to watch them carrying off their treasure to their nests. We are slowly growing the garden edges to a more hedgehog friendly way of thinking, but it takes time for shrubs to establish, and this seemed like the perfect excuse to go for a walk in the nearby woods.
By late November of 2020 the last of our regular visitors decided he would hibernate. I know, your thinking, it’s winter – time to relax. Nope! Time to get Christmas cards printed from some drawings I’d done, including letting Vale wildlife use the designs, as a Thank you. Terry, meanwhile began building hedgehog houses like a machine. Getting ready for Spring? HaHa!! Nope, the first one up from hibernation was on January 31st and he caught me out, as there was no food put out! Within two weeks he was back regularly and that could only mean I’d have to purchase a water bowl warmer! How do you think I felt, watching him try to lick the ice off the usual flan bowl? As luck would have it, Amazon to the rescue – but the seller had sold his last one of the one I’d selected so sent me the next size up – Wowzer! That was one of the best extra’s I bought this year! No luxury missed, when our spikey friends visit.
By early Spring we were losing count after 15 Hedgehogs visited in one night. We knew there was one or two others but were not sure if they were the same ones or not. More cameras! Turns out, word was getting about with about 20 visitors. Where were they all coming from? Who cares, it’s just lovely to see them!
Hedgehogs can travel up to two miles a night in search of food or a mate. They are fickle little creatures and won’t think twice about deserting their regular food area for new hunting spot. We often find Rocket goes missing, she is a dear little girl who can walk around 20 feet in three seconds, but she hurries everywhere. We have yet to see her, stop and sniff the air, she has a schedule to keep, we are sure of it! She may not turn up for two months, and then suddenly she will return. Our food is back in favour then, her appearance has changed over the last two years but her mannerisms and routine has not. She always visits for between 7 and 9 minutes. Always stands on a particular plate so that it upturns onto her face and always dashes in and out like she’s on a mission.
Talking of food – We feed ours, Tesco Kitten biscuit. Why? Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant, so that thing about Bread and milk like your gran used to give them? Not a good idea – and even worse, are Mealworms -They can cause something called (MBD) Whilst mealworms are high in Phosphorous, and low in calcium the parathyroid tries to balance both out in the blood and takes the calcium from the bones and teeth which causes metabolic bone disease. This in turn causes fractures and even deformities in little ones. A hedgehog will eat almost anything, but just like a naughty child, they would constantly just eat sweets, if given the option – so if you hear of any neighbours feeding mealworms, PLEASE, just ask them to stop. There is no treatment for MBD – just a sad painful death. On top of this, as Hedgehog food is not regulated in the UK, you will often see mealworms, peanuts or sunflower seeds included in Hedgehog food – these companies are just after your money, and do not give a figs ar*e about what their product is doing to an endangered species!
Below: Feeding guide for Wild Hedgehogs.
Going back in my mind, across time and space – I remember seeing hedgehogs at about the age of 7. I was lucky enough to live on a farm in Catsfield, (UK) and a canny Yorkshire man, taught me many old rural customs and folk law. He was a type of Godfather to me, and his love of shire horses and the countryside taught me many things, that I can’t quiet remember why I know that now- He could forecast the weather and even make a horse pee by whistling to it! He taught me how to uncurl a hedgehog, and how to talk to them. He showed me the humour that the corvid/crow family has in spades, they way to tell bats apart from their flying pattern – how to plait a native horses mane, and even some herbs to use in the countryside, when you had nothing else. Oh how I wish Id written it all down – but we don’t do we?
Fast forward, years later, in 2009, my husband and I were on a weekend break when we spotted one at dusk on a evening walk around the grounds. This was when I realised, I had not actually seen a hedgehog for many years. But then I was not out looking for them, either. We were still busy working with people and animals and it wasn’t until we sold, downsizing and moved to a semi rural area, near Herstmonceux that we actually saw one again.
Our dear dog, Pagan, now sadly passed alerted us to one at night in the back garden. We thought “how lovely” – and that was it. Pagan then found the gap in the fence where they travelled through at night. Thinking, back now wondering if he was trying to tell me something! After his death, life changed in many ways including within a year the start of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic. This proved to be an amazing opportunity, for us. It was a chance to take a huge step back and really look at things and life. Like many others, we started work in the garden, and eventually decided to build a Hedgehog house. Although, I did ask my husband to make three as apparently somewhere I had read that they had to be in threes! Totally untrue, but I was reading so much about them, I had little understanding as to what was true and what was just someone’s belief.
We cleared away a brick pile in the corner of the quietest garden and I decided that this was where the hedgehog village could be! I found an easy way to make a hedgehog feed station, using an under bed storage box and hey presto – we were away! Something ate there the first night!! This was on Wednesday 6th May 2020, I laid water down in one area and then sprinkled dry dust over it – just as that Yorkshire man had showed me many years ago and following day, I was delighted to see Hedgehog footprints! Not one to rest on my laurels, within a week the first CCTV unit was installed, and as if by magic, we had actual footage of these little darlin’s going in and out of the feeding station. By the 18th we knew we had three individual visitors – my excitement was contagious! But, the cameras also revealed one of dogs ambling into the area early one morning – so it was time to protect our spikey friends! A temporary enclosure was cobbled together with bits of wood and stones – no roof, but it should deter Pagan’s two sisters from being so nosy. It sort of worked, until a neighbouring cat was seen inside the enclosure -so on went a wire roof. Then I read that hedgehogs don’t like the rain – oh yes, you’ve guessed it, hubby was roped in to make a larger and more weather proof communal area!
By the time we were finished, just a month after the first house went out – we had a foot 8 ft X 10 ft log roll communal area, fully rain proof (plastic ridged sheeting) standing at about 4ft high with three hedgehog houses and a feeding station in! Then fear struck in my heart, like a mother paralysed with fear for a child – a fox scooted in through the entrance during the night of the 3rd July. Not on our watch! Hubby created an instant tunnel whilst I made a brick entrance to lessen the foxes chance of returning. I have nothing against foxes, okay maybe I do a bit. I’ve seen them destroy all the chicken in a coop and only walk off with one to eat. But - it’s a dog and its hunting or playing – so its just a fox’s nature. That does not mean a fox is going to be welcomed in the hedgehog area, far from it – when hungry enough, a fox will happily eat a hedgehog. The Yorkshire man taught me that years ago, that a sly fox will wait or push a ball of spikes into a pond, the hedgehog uncurls and fox grabs it’s dinner! Things have not changed that much over the years, at least not in the animal kingdom!
Towards the end of July, I had started looking into Hedgehog care and rehabilitation. I have tried my hand a nursing, a qualified phlebotomist amongst a complete career of too many different things, but this was a way to help the endangered little hedgehogs we’d come to love so much. So, plan 2 began.
The HMC, or Hog-monceux Medical centre. There is a large shed in the garden, normally used as club house for our archers, but with the government forcing us into lock down, it was not being used and the more we looked at it, the more we realised we could just use the end section of it as a medical room. Back to builders’ yard and an order for wood was made. We already had some 4inch open cellular foam from old archery targets I’d painted that could be used. Therefore, we knew, we already had the insulation for the project. By August it was completed. Then a lovely local lady on facebook marketplace was offering her old kitchen units free, so off goes my husband to collect it and turn this into a real useful medical room. Yes, within a week that was done too!
Then, if you believe in the power of animals or in things being connected – we got a strong message. On 10th August, whilst Terry and I were working out the next days plan of attack, sitting in the workshop next to the kitchen, there was an almighty clatter by the door. A hedgehog had decided to walk right in and knocked over a garden chair. Odd we thought but scooped it up and popped it back outside the hedgehog haven area. The very next night, one of the dogs came in and delivered the same Hedgehog to me, placing down ever so carefully next to my chair. I looked down expecting a ball, only to find it was a spikey hedgehog rolled up! Not a mark was found on the hedgehog, or the dog – it was just as if the dog bought it in and went “Here, you should know what to do with that” . This Hedgehog was fine, and was nicknamed “Magick” by Katie, as it had managed to climb onto Hogwarts, one of the houses in Hedgehog Haven.
So September came around and Terry, my husband was working on another Hedgehog design, perfecting what was right and what could be improved. Lockdown had been turned into the tier system so in between things, I’d managed to get myself and a dear friend, Katie – onto the Vale Wildlife course, booked for September. After several frantic phone calls, trying to keep up the governments changes to the tier system, we finally left for Tewkesbury and got to attend the First Aid & Rehabilitation course for Hedgehogs, before the next government lock down!
The course was inspiring, and the amount of knowledge shared was totally invaluable. If I had to be critical, I’d say it would be good if they managed to do a 2 or 3 day course as well. Once you start in rehabilitation, you suddenly realise there’s all these questions you should of asked on the course. Do not assume all vets know about Hedgehogs, for a start! You would think you could ask on some of the many forums, but you are likely to get your head bitten off by some who just “knows better”, so be warned! I have found it best to just simply write to someone on the forum and see if they reply, one such hedgehog hero, was kind enough to even post me some medication when a local vet want to look a slides of hedgehog poo with tapeworm! Oh yes, one of the things about hedgehog care is constantly needing to examine poo through a microscope – yet another necessary expense!
The next thing on the wish list was a Brinsea incubator – saw them at Vale Wildlife and they are just super awesome! They maintain a constant temperature, so weather its hot weather or cold, that incubator will remain at the same temperature – the one I decided on, was one with a built in humidifier – took a little longer to save for, but it’s already saved two lives and we’ve still only owned it for about two months!
Our first walk in patient, was the day after the Vale course! Simple tick removal but a female hog with four ticks on her eyes and numerous on her body. Fortunately, from working with other animals I know exactly how to get ticks off safely, and yes, dumping them in a small glass of vodka was yet another old way passed on from that Yorkshireman. No one else seems to do it, my mother used to drop them into methylated spirits, but I didn’t think the hedgehog would like the smell as their noses are so incredibly powerful! We nicknamed this one Becks, due to returning from Beckford the day before – and she still visits occasionally. Her weight and sample was all good, so she was released almost immediately, into the brand new design hog house. Towards the end of September, we were having an average of 12 visitors a night – I can tell this from identifying features each hog has, be it their mannerisms, or just the tilt of its nose. Watching daily night footage, from the 5 CCTV cameras – also helps! (Think that’s running at 7 now, unless you included the baby monitor, which is 8!) Still mindful of any visiting foxes, my husband decided to make a gorgeous set of garden gates – which of course meant, I had to draw an image onto wood, for him to swear at! Yes, he painstakingly, cut around every single spine. I’m not sure if he does it because he loves me, or the hedgehogs!
Then started the RAT problem. Eeekk! Or Squeak! I would say live and let live, they’re not going to harm the hedgehogs, but the neighbours may object (even though two came from under his shed every night)! They were leaving the new design houses alone due to the bends to the food area, but they were suddenly becoming rife in the communal area, we call Hedgehog Haven. Two little hogs in particular were scared by the rats and one just kept balling up every time the rat made a dash in and out for a bite of food from the food bowls. We did find a way to get rid of them. Somethings worked better than others – Apparently making a swing door on the entrance to the tunnel light enough for the hedgehog to move, will swing open for them but a rat won’t even try. Turns out, our hedgehogs couldn’t work it out either and thought I’d closed the restaurant! However, I’d tried leaving some fresh sheep wool in the haven for any hedgehog who wanted some soft nesting material (in hindsight not a great idea, as it can become entangled in their spines – but no one wanted it anyway) The huge, plus side, was that “sheep smell” that came with it – the rats couldn’t stand it! You can try pepper and growing mint but in time, most things will overcome their fear for a satisfied appetite.
We blocked some of the cracks around Hedgehog haven and then decided to excavate deeper; - One, I felt like the hunchback of notre-dame every single day that I went in to replenish or clean and two it would become more level and therefore help the little round ones not get stuck mid roll, when they rolled in a dip! So, out came the soil, slowly bucket by bucket. Then when the area was level, thanks to Facebook marketplace again, I placed some free concrete paving down and concreted it into position. This would stop the rats digging up from next door. When dry I put some of the soil back and then laid tree bark down to encourage the insects, that the hedgehogs dearly love to eat! So far – touching wood, I say “Success”!!
As autumn descended, Katie and I found ourselves collecting fallen leaves from the local footpaths, drying them out and leaving them in areas ready for the hedgehogs. Many seem delighted by this and it was delightful to watch them carrying off their treasure to their nests. We are slowly growing the garden edges to a more hedgehog friendly way of thinking, but it takes time for shrubs to establish, and this seemed like the perfect excuse to go for a walk in the nearby woods.
By late November of 2020 the last of our regular visitors decided he would hibernate. I know, your thinking, it’s winter – time to relax. Nope! Time to get Christmas cards printed from some drawings I’d done, including letting Vale wildlife use the designs, as a Thank you. Terry, meanwhile began building hedgehog houses like a machine. Getting ready for Spring? HaHa!! Nope, the first one up from hibernation was on January 31st and he caught me out, as there was no food put out! Within two weeks he was back regularly and that could only mean I’d have to purchase a water bowl warmer! How do you think I felt, watching him try to lick the ice off the usual flan bowl? As luck would have it, Amazon to the rescue – but the seller had sold his last one of the one I’d selected so sent me the next size up – Wowzer! That was one of the best extra’s I bought this year! No luxury missed, when our spikey friends visit.
By early Spring we were losing count after 15 Hedgehogs visited in one night. We knew there was one or two others but were not sure if they were the same ones or not. More cameras! Turns out, word was getting about with about 20 visitors. Where were they all coming from? Who cares, it’s just lovely to see them!
Hedgehogs can travel up to two miles a night in search of food or a mate. They are fickle little creatures and won’t think twice about deserting their regular food area for new hunting spot. We often find Rocket goes missing, she is a dear little girl who can walk around 20 feet in three seconds, but she hurries everywhere. We have yet to see her, stop and sniff the air, she has a schedule to keep, we are sure of it! She may not turn up for two months, and then suddenly she will return. Our food is back in favour then, her appearance has changed over the last two years but her mannerisms and routine has not. She always visits for between 7 and 9 minutes. Always stands on a particular plate so that it upturns onto her face and always dashes in and out like she’s on a mission.
Talking of food – We feed ours, Tesco Kitten biscuit. Why? Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant, so that thing about Bread and milk like your gran used to give them? Not a good idea – and even worse, are Mealworms -They can cause something called (MBD) Whilst mealworms are high in Phosphorous, and low in calcium the parathyroid tries to balance both out in the blood and takes the calcium from the bones and teeth which causes metabolic bone disease. This in turn causes fractures and even deformities in little ones. A hedgehog will eat almost anything, but just like a naughty child, they would constantly just eat sweets, if given the option – so if you hear of any neighbours feeding mealworms, PLEASE, just ask them to stop. There is no treatment for MBD – just a sad painful death. On top of this, as Hedgehog food is not regulated in the UK, you will often see mealworms, peanuts or sunflower seeds included in Hedgehog food – these companies are just after your money, and do not give a figs ar*e about what their product is doing to an endangered species!
Below: Feeding guide for Wild Hedgehogs.
OSCAR - The Handsome one.
After seeing a hog fight on our CCTV, two days later we finally managed to find and capture this little limping hog. Now, for sure he's a fine looking fella, but he must have been terrified to be snatched by a giant in a pair of rubber gloves! After three days of trying to reduce the swelling (typically over a weekend) we decided to take him to our local vets. Fortunately, I'd already removed the fleas and ticks and he had no parasites in his poo samples, probably about a year old but eating well, so I felt hopeful.
The first vet we saw, said his leg was broken in two places and that he would never return to the wild, so unless we were planning to keep him then we may have to consider PTS (put to sleep) Total cost of consult, medication and X-rays £120. I could understand, that could be the kindest thing, but after just three days, he was more accepting of us. What should I do? Well, the first thing I did was contact Vale Wildlife where we'd done our training. They provide a huge back up service to anyone who has attended one of their courses, and I was told immediately, that he should be fine to be released back into the wild. No sooner, had I put the phone down our vets rung me back. The senior vet felt, that due to his young age, and the fact that hedgehogs needed protecting she reckoned she could pin his leg and he could return to a normal life. I okayed him for surgery, the next day, agreeing before even asking my husband if we could afford the initial quote of £150.
Oscar's surgery was done by Rosario Gutierrez at Horsebridge Veterinary Practice, and I am in awe of her dedication. To put not one but two pins into a hedgehogs tiny little leg had to of been a challenge that required ultimate precision. I believe the bone to be only 3mm wide - that's like the thickness of a pound coin!
Oscar came back to us the same day, to recover from surgery. An immediate follow up appointment confirmed by X-rays that everything was positive and now it was down to him to heal.
Now, at Oscar's first appointment he was given antibiotics, let me tell you - it is almost impossible to get liquid antibiotics into a hedgehog. Trying to get a small ball of spikes to take his medicine was so difficult that I'd had to telephone Vale again (thank the gods, it wasnt in tablet form, I have memories of trying to get cats to their medication, believe me, a hedgehog is scarier! . So calling to ask Vale, if there was an easier way, or if Id somehow not heard the information on the course on what to do at the time we didn't cover this in the course. - No, we didn't and the reason why is because at Vale they always give medication by injection, which of course, we had covered on the course. Well, after his surgery Rosario kindly agreed to give me injections for him for pain relief and antibiotics.
Now, I have injected myself, others, horses, dogs and cats. I am a qualified phlebotomist - you''d think I could handle a hedgehog wouldn't you? I had such confidence to do this - big mistake. BIG! With all that experience, it did nothing to prepare me for a snorting, huffing, puffing obnoxious ball of spikes! Every single injection was a nightmare. Not for just for Oscar, but for me too. He'd flinch then I'd flinch. I kid, you not - dear reader - it was like something out of a comedy sketch. Plus on top of that, who had just blotted her copy book with a certain hedgehog? After two injections per day over five days, I'm still not sure who was more nervous. Things do get easier with experience, but Oscar and I came to an understanding - he could stab me with a quill but I'd do the injection with my eyes shut, so I didn't flinch as much as him!
Weekly check-ups, X-rays, more medication pretty much covered the next six weeks, along with more vet bills for each check up, aesthetic and X-rays - then the first pin was removed. Two weeks after that the second pin was removed. I'd spent days worrying about dehydration during his treatment, waking up almost hourly to check the baby monitor I'd bought which stayed by my bed on loud each night - and suddenly with that pin removed, we turned a corner. Hydrotherapy and supervised ramp therapy in a pen outside my husband made, changed Oscar's attitude completely. It was almost like he was enjoying himself. He actually started to drink water again, I could see the longing in his eyes to be free, but he still has stitches that had yet to dissolve. Six weeks after the pin was removed we waited til a clear warm evening appeared and decided it was release day! Naturally there was no backward glance, no thank you - but, there was such joy in knowing we were part of what returned him to roaming the hedgerows.
We'd put Oscar outside by "Hedgingham Castle" the latest new house, built especially for him and in he toddled. We had the camera set up and three hours later, a nose appeared at the doorway. Off went Oscar snuffling his way into the night air. Three days later, he appeared in Hedgehog Haven - we were delighted to know he was doing okay.
He still puts in an appearance every now and then, but we know he has moved back to his old home ground. I wonder if we will recognize him next season.
The first vet we saw, said his leg was broken in two places and that he would never return to the wild, so unless we were planning to keep him then we may have to consider PTS (put to sleep) Total cost of consult, medication and X-rays £120. I could understand, that could be the kindest thing, but after just three days, he was more accepting of us. What should I do? Well, the first thing I did was contact Vale Wildlife where we'd done our training. They provide a huge back up service to anyone who has attended one of their courses, and I was told immediately, that he should be fine to be released back into the wild. No sooner, had I put the phone down our vets rung me back. The senior vet felt, that due to his young age, and the fact that hedgehogs needed protecting she reckoned she could pin his leg and he could return to a normal life. I okayed him for surgery, the next day, agreeing before even asking my husband if we could afford the initial quote of £150.
Oscar's surgery was done by Rosario Gutierrez at Horsebridge Veterinary Practice, and I am in awe of her dedication. To put not one but two pins into a hedgehogs tiny little leg had to of been a challenge that required ultimate precision. I believe the bone to be only 3mm wide - that's like the thickness of a pound coin!
Oscar came back to us the same day, to recover from surgery. An immediate follow up appointment confirmed by X-rays that everything was positive and now it was down to him to heal.
Now, at Oscar's first appointment he was given antibiotics, let me tell you - it is almost impossible to get liquid antibiotics into a hedgehog. Trying to get a small ball of spikes to take his medicine was so difficult that I'd had to telephone Vale again (thank the gods, it wasnt in tablet form, I have memories of trying to get cats to their medication, believe me, a hedgehog is scarier! . So calling to ask Vale, if there was an easier way, or if Id somehow not heard the information on the course on what to do at the time we didn't cover this in the course. - No, we didn't and the reason why is because at Vale they always give medication by injection, which of course, we had covered on the course. Well, after his surgery Rosario kindly agreed to give me injections for him for pain relief and antibiotics.
Now, I have injected myself, others, horses, dogs and cats. I am a qualified phlebotomist - you''d think I could handle a hedgehog wouldn't you? I had such confidence to do this - big mistake. BIG! With all that experience, it did nothing to prepare me for a snorting, huffing, puffing obnoxious ball of spikes! Every single injection was a nightmare. Not for just for Oscar, but for me too. He'd flinch then I'd flinch. I kid, you not - dear reader - it was like something out of a comedy sketch. Plus on top of that, who had just blotted her copy book with a certain hedgehog? After two injections per day over five days, I'm still not sure who was more nervous. Things do get easier with experience, but Oscar and I came to an understanding - he could stab me with a quill but I'd do the injection with my eyes shut, so I didn't flinch as much as him!
Weekly check-ups, X-rays, more medication pretty much covered the next six weeks, along with more vet bills for each check up, aesthetic and X-rays - then the first pin was removed. Two weeks after that the second pin was removed. I'd spent days worrying about dehydration during his treatment, waking up almost hourly to check the baby monitor I'd bought which stayed by my bed on loud each night - and suddenly with that pin removed, we turned a corner. Hydrotherapy and supervised ramp therapy in a pen outside my husband made, changed Oscar's attitude completely. It was almost like he was enjoying himself. He actually started to drink water again, I could see the longing in his eyes to be free, but he still has stitches that had yet to dissolve. Six weeks after the pin was removed we waited til a clear warm evening appeared and decided it was release day! Naturally there was no backward glance, no thank you - but, there was such joy in knowing we were part of what returned him to roaming the hedgerows.
We'd put Oscar outside by "Hedgingham Castle" the latest new house, built especially for him and in he toddled. We had the camera set up and three hours later, a nose appeared at the doorway. Off went Oscar snuffling his way into the night air. Three days later, he appeared in Hedgehog Haven - we were delighted to know he was doing okay.
He still puts in an appearance every now and then, but we know he has moved back to his old home ground. I wonder if we will recognize him next season.
Jo-Jo, the angel and rascal combination!
A near by neighbour called on the door one Saturday afternoon for advice regarding a hedgehog he had discovered. Grabbibg the first aid kit, it was a short walk to see this tiny one. Balled up and around the size of a tennis ball, I could tell it was badly dehydrated. Its little body breathing was slow and its heartbeat a little fast (wouldn't yours be? to be handled by these giants!) A few fleas and a watery eye along with lumps on its back, made the decision easy to get her back to, Hogmonceux Medical centre and get her in the incubator.
Five minutes later, we were back home, female. 198grams. I estimated around 8 weeks old, three days later, I'd say more like six weeks. I wonder what happened to Mum? Are there others? An immediate injection of fluids, (not a flinch in sight- for those that read my blog on Oscar, I'm now considering him a woose, as I don't think this little one has noticed one injection yet, and I dont think my injecting skills have changed that radically!) After the fluids, came a warm bath in antifungal treatment (very diluted due to her young age) and a spray over with natural flax oil. All this, and she was in the incubator within ten minutes of her arrival.
Then a panic for lactose free puppy milk ensured. I tried calling ALL the local pet shops, pets@home included, and then Six different veterinary practices. Typically, ours was closed at a weekend, as many are. Animals really have to understand that they should be ill in daylight hours and not at weekends, even if they are nocturnal by nature!!
An hour later, in the incubator, we could see she was a fighter. My husband drove out of the area to secure the correct formula of milk.It took over two hours in total to track the right stuff down and get it here. By the evening, this little angel had enjoyed two feeds and put on 32grams! Feeding continued around the clock every 2 hours. A week later, and I'm steeping it down from every three hours to every four hours. Thank God, for dear Katie, she covers the day shift whilst I get some sleep, yes its exhausting at times (she is such an inquisitive soul who constantly makes a mess, and I spend half my time at night, just going backwards and forwards to change her as she's tipped the water bowl over again!)However, a week after her arrival and she's gained 125 grams, her eye is completely cleared and her skin is in good condition. Today, is the second day of not giving her any additional subcutaneous fluids. She's now eating dry food, still the formula and water. She is doing so well.
Jo-jo, constantly buries herself in a cosy fleece and wants to be under something and therefore, secure. The constant heat of the incubator is helping too, she will need to grow prior to being released where she was found. At the moment she couldn't possibly fend for herself, she climbs with her legs crawling like a small kitten would. By size, she should be ready for release in the next ten days, I imagine - however, with no mum to teach her we will have to use judgement and common sense rather than following a "guide" on her size for release. It is against the law to keep a wild animal caged in this country, and its not something, Id ever wish to do - she is solely here for rehabilitation now.
My husband is altering a hedgehog house for her. Once she's out of the incubator, we will get her established in her own house, that way we can give the house to our neighbours and know she should have a safe place to go too, plus it will already have her scent in it, which we hope, will make her feel more secure.
Well Done, to our neighbours, for keeping an eye out and acting so quickly. If you see a small hedgehog out in the daytime, it usually needs a rescue and fast. A rescuers nightmare, is when someone says "I saw it in the garden for the last two days sunbathing" - that usually means there's little hope of saving them, so- to Jo and Steve, we applaud you! You helped saved this ones life!
UPDATE: Little JoJo was released the same evening as Oscar. Two evenings later, and JoJo was caught on camera returning to our garden for some food. Definitely a regular early visitor for a while, and then nothing. But, hedgehogs change their patterns regularly and I wouldn't be surprised if JoJo appears again one evening, in fact I hope Jojo does - but with their changing weight and appearance I'll be lucky if I recognise Jojo on the black and white footage of our CCTV cameras!
Hedgehog Family (October 2021)
One morning I received a phone call from a couple near Laughton. A lovely gentleman told me he was concerned as there was a family of hedgehogs nesting by his house. He'd had a word with a local rescue and was told to leave them be. This often happens when it involves a family. If a nesting hedgehog is disturbed there is the chance that she will eat her young, to protect them. This is why I beg people with Hedgehog houses not to keep peeping in. Yes, its tempting - but by simply putting a blade of grass across the entrance you will know if a little hoggy has taken up residence in your house. Even rescues hesitate to disturb a nesting female. However, this guys instincts must have been on alert - after calling his local rescue he decided to call the British Hedgehog Preservation Society. That's where he got our telephone number from. It sounded like they were probably okay, but being a nesting mum with two children I thought I might be able to go and look quietly. With this in mind, I'd decided to leave looking at the family until early evening.
Mum had not done a very good job of nesting, and they were easily seen under a few leaves by the side of his house when we arrived. It turned out it was four male hoglets and mum. Mum was the one, I was most concerned about. She looked like she was covered in paint. I wondered if someone had been painting their garden fence nearby, it was a sort of grey cream colour and had caused her spines to stick together.
We bundled them up into a cat basket and brought them back to base.
On arrival, it was straight into bath time. We use a natural insecticidal bath treatment, as I try to keep all our treatments as natural as possible.
Oh My.. Mum stank! A smell I immediately recognised, but hadn't even thought of. How could I be so dumb? I think somewhere in her travels she'd found a sewage pit or drain run off. Two baths and it was still stuck to mum's spines. I didn't want to stress her too much, and bathing the little ones too, meant doing it in a certain order to keep mum calm. I finished off with a generous dose of organic flax seed oil. I find this helps with most skin irritations, not that I could see any damage to any of the hedgehogs skins.
Night two and it was bath time again - Now, with the help of the oil penetrating the quills for 24hours, and a gentle plastic detangle comb and brush the sewage just ran off of mum. Her quills took on a healthy light brown colour and only two of the hoglets needed a third bath.
I always use F10, at first examination stage - I'd previously used this when we'd pick them up, but I will return to it if needed.
All of the family were dehydrated so we have to start them off with fluid injections.
I was hoping to avoid antibiotics and treat them all naturally. Unfortunately, one then two of the hoglets started coughing. Time to call the expert. A quick chat with my vets receptionist with a request for some Marbocyl and more fluids ensured and now I'm back to injecting a family of hedgehogs every day.
There are concerns. Within 24 hours, the coughing has lessened so I'm very hopeful there. But, young hedgehogs (these are certainly Autumn Juveniles) will have to reach at least 600 gms to be in a good condition to hibernate. Some young hedgehogs will hibernate at 450gms and survive. These are currently not out with mum learning how to forage and nest. If the finders were prepared to leave food out for them, I wouldn't be too worried. But, they were very concerned about rats - and to be fair, unless you know a secret we don't ,feeding hedgehogs does often mean feeding rats if they are in your area. A feeding station is the best answer.
UPDATE:
This lovely family made the weight and were indeed released back to the finders garden, at the end of October.
Mum had not done a very good job of nesting, and they were easily seen under a few leaves by the side of his house when we arrived. It turned out it was four male hoglets and mum. Mum was the one, I was most concerned about. She looked like she was covered in paint. I wondered if someone had been painting their garden fence nearby, it was a sort of grey cream colour and had caused her spines to stick together.
We bundled them up into a cat basket and brought them back to base.
On arrival, it was straight into bath time. We use a natural insecticidal bath treatment, as I try to keep all our treatments as natural as possible.
Oh My.. Mum stank! A smell I immediately recognised, but hadn't even thought of. How could I be so dumb? I think somewhere in her travels she'd found a sewage pit or drain run off. Two baths and it was still stuck to mum's spines. I didn't want to stress her too much, and bathing the little ones too, meant doing it in a certain order to keep mum calm. I finished off with a generous dose of organic flax seed oil. I find this helps with most skin irritations, not that I could see any damage to any of the hedgehogs skins.
Night two and it was bath time again - Now, with the help of the oil penetrating the quills for 24hours, and a gentle plastic detangle comb and brush the sewage just ran off of mum. Her quills took on a healthy light brown colour and only two of the hoglets needed a third bath.
I always use F10, at first examination stage - I'd previously used this when we'd pick them up, but I will return to it if needed.
All of the family were dehydrated so we have to start them off with fluid injections.
I was hoping to avoid antibiotics and treat them all naturally. Unfortunately, one then two of the hoglets started coughing. Time to call the expert. A quick chat with my vets receptionist with a request for some Marbocyl and more fluids ensured and now I'm back to injecting a family of hedgehogs every day.
There are concerns. Within 24 hours, the coughing has lessened so I'm very hopeful there. But, young hedgehogs (these are certainly Autumn Juveniles) will have to reach at least 600 gms to be in a good condition to hibernate. Some young hedgehogs will hibernate at 450gms and survive. These are currently not out with mum learning how to forage and nest. If the finders were prepared to leave food out for them, I wouldn't be too worried. But, they were very concerned about rats - and to be fair, unless you know a secret we don't ,feeding hedgehogs does often mean feeding rats if they are in your area. A feeding station is the best answer.
UPDATE:
This lovely family made the weight and were indeed released back to the finders garden, at the end of October.
|
|
End of 2021.
Finally, a chance to update the blog today :) . A very busy year for Help4hedgehogs! We have sold all of our 2022 slimline calendars, and the engraved glasses will be advertised later today. Christmas cards for 2022 are about to be completed and still I haven't decided how to promote and raise more funds for the vital equipment needed for our non profit hedgehog rescue.
It got too cold for me, following surgery in November to keep going back and fourth to the Hogmonceux medical room, so it was moved indoors temporarily, allowing us more space for the rehabilitated. Dancer, Yule, Donna, Holly, Blitzen, Cupid and Vixen (there's a Christmas theme going on here!) have all been bought in by our local hedgehog hero's. Sadly, all have parasites, most at least three, so medication, re-hydration, and warmth are the priorities. Even worse, we suffered our first failure - and lost dear Dancer. Sometimes, it doesn't matter what you do, but we tried our best. I so wanted to wrap her in my arms as her time came - but that would of caused her more stress and only really comforted me. round 4 am, one morning, she gave up. She passed away in the warmth of the incubator as the cold winds blew outside.
We have been so lucky, to have operated for a year now and to have only lost one hedgehog is a small miracle. We listen to our guts, our hearts and try to put ourselves in the place of our patients. Hopefully by raising awareness and YOU by being a hedgehog hero, who acts fast - we will continue to have patients that thrive.
Holly, the smallest hedgehog found, is now gaining the most. Her Hero was a lovely lady who found her at the local crematoria, of all places! Apparently she whipped off her jumper and bundled this little hedgehog into it, and stored in a shopping bag, as she dashed along to us, Totally burdened with ectoparasites, this wee one would never have survived. Her ticks were so bad, that they were weighed rather than counted - and many had to be done by our vets, whilst she was sedated rather than put stress onto her little form. Today she has more than doubled her weight, and although still being treated for internal parasites her weight has now tipped over the 400 gram mark, so we have high hopes.
Also, a quick word, slightly off topic. To you, my dear reader - I raise my glass to you. For some have become Hedgehog Hero's and those of you I have have had the honour to meet, seem to be the nicest bunch of people. I will do all I can, so you can continue to keep your eyes peeled for those hogs in need of help. Thank you, for caring, thank you for sharing - but most important of all- They can't say it, but the Hedgehogs are grateful to you for giving them a chance.
Merry Christmas!
It got too cold for me, following surgery in November to keep going back and fourth to the Hogmonceux medical room, so it was moved indoors temporarily, allowing us more space for the rehabilitated. Dancer, Yule, Donna, Holly, Blitzen, Cupid and Vixen (there's a Christmas theme going on here!) have all been bought in by our local hedgehog hero's. Sadly, all have parasites, most at least three, so medication, re-hydration, and warmth are the priorities. Even worse, we suffered our first failure - and lost dear Dancer. Sometimes, it doesn't matter what you do, but we tried our best. I so wanted to wrap her in my arms as her time came - but that would of caused her more stress and only really comforted me. round 4 am, one morning, she gave up. She passed away in the warmth of the incubator as the cold winds blew outside.
We have been so lucky, to have operated for a year now and to have only lost one hedgehog is a small miracle. We listen to our guts, our hearts and try to put ourselves in the place of our patients. Hopefully by raising awareness and YOU by being a hedgehog hero, who acts fast - we will continue to have patients that thrive.
Holly, the smallest hedgehog found, is now gaining the most. Her Hero was a lovely lady who found her at the local crematoria, of all places! Apparently she whipped off her jumper and bundled this little hedgehog into it, and stored in a shopping bag, as she dashed along to us, Totally burdened with ectoparasites, this wee one would never have survived. Her ticks were so bad, that they were weighed rather than counted - and many had to be done by our vets, whilst she was sedated rather than put stress onto her little form. Today she has more than doubled her weight, and although still being treated for internal parasites her weight has now tipped over the 400 gram mark, so we have high hopes.
Also, a quick word, slightly off topic. To you, my dear reader - I raise my glass to you. For some have become Hedgehog Hero's and those of you I have have had the honour to meet, seem to be the nicest bunch of people. I will do all I can, so you can continue to keep your eyes peeled for those hogs in need of help. Thank you, for caring, thank you for sharing - but most important of all- They can't say it, but the Hedgehogs are grateful to you for giving them a chance.
Merry Christmas!
|
|
|
|
"022
Started on New Years day by getting Blitzen out into Hog-monceux medical room, the purpose adapted and well insulated shed. No sooner was he happily settled in an adapted rabbit cage (straw nesting area and separate food area) than Donna was following suit.
Only a weeks rest and the next two were fighting it out to see who would reach the magic weight and maintain it for three days - do that, and they're off outside.
Due to the urgency, it seemed worthwhile buying a couple of "hedgehog hutches" off of amazon. Not quiet such a good idea! When they arrived, which was quick - we couldn't believe someone could actually claim they were safe - the wire was stapled on the inside of the door - meaning the poor hedgehog could catch its nose easily on such a silly design. No hinges, the doors operate on a screw! in fact there was only 6 screws in the entire hutch. Two for the latches and others for the doors - the rest was stapled together.
Super hubby to the rescue! Firstly, he turned the door around so the wire was on the outside, then he built a second roof by un-stapling the top, this immediately provided a better height for nesting, at the same time he built a frame for the lid, so we have hinges on the top for easy access, when cleaning. The original divider was so insecure we just tapped it out. Instead a purpose built thick nesting box was added, which can only be removed from the roof.
Then to finish off a layer of foam was fitted to the base and the original roof piece was then added to the bottom, providing more insulation and warmth.
Before the month was out four hedgehogs had moved into the HMC Hogmonceux medical room.
Then by the 7th of February, after more medication, Buddy Holly and Vixen moved out there too.
The ICU remained still and quiet - for 24 hours.
Firstly, I'm on standby for a hog that didn't appear from Seaford. Fingers crossed he's okay, guessing he's gone into hibernation. Then I've been watching one of our hibernation hogs down in Hogingham - he appeared to limping quiet badly on the camera. So late one night, he got evicted from his safe house. Something I am loathe to do, I'd much rather wait til they are outside the house. Fortunately, this one didnt seem to mind. To my surprise when I got him indoors, it was Baloo. An old bully hog who's been visiting our garden on and off for the last two years, that we know of!
He's very easily identified because he is A dark blonde Hedgehog.
Baloo is still a European hedgehog but his skin pigmentation is different. As you can see, he has a pink nose. In fact, he's pink all over! He is not a true albino because he does not have red eyes and his spines are not white. He is also not fully blonde due to the darkness of his spines. Blonde hedgehogs are also known as leucistic hedgehogs, due to the absence of normal skin pigmentation. Such an unusual looking chap and friendly to a point. He does not seem to mind our attentions or having a bath (lots, he seems kind of greasy.) This is the first blonde hedgehog and we've had in to treat and I am told they are very rare in the wild.( I'd love to see an albino hedgehog too, I've only seen pictures online! ) We also know there is another pink nosed one in the area, who looks like a smaller version of this chap, we'd even nick named him mini me Baloo - time will tell if he's a dark blonde too!
Although, rare here, travel to the Channel Island of Alderney and around 40% of the hedgehogs are blonde! This is due to the lack of predators, over there they seem to have thrived!
October 2022
What on earth happened to this year? One moment we are happy in February looking forward to spring and the next thing, I'm looking at Autumn rolling in!
We flew through early spring, getting houses ready for Yule, Blitzen, Donna & Cupid, instead of making them from scratch I simply begged for some broken bedside cabinets at a local charity furniture store. Hubby ripped them apart and made a new houses for each of them! Meanwhile, Vixen and another hedgehog Storm were also ready to be released at nearby neighbours. Sometime in between Midnight appeared, yes dear reader at almost midnight hence the name! Then, just as we catch our breath Miranda and Odin needed some assistance. They both came from another rescue, which may seem odd - but any rescue worth its salt will know if you have too many animals in at once, something or someone will fail Mistakes and accidents happen. The rescuer is doing far too much to give each animal 100% of their time - and that's when we suddenly feel we have failed that one. Its not usually the case, at all - but we do have a habit of blaming ourselves. Any decent rescue would rather share the burden so they can concentrate on the ones that need the most help. Hence you may hear rescued from a rescue, which really means we are helping someone out.
My near neighbour and friend is turning into a valuable release site. She is knowledgeable enough to recognise when there's a problem, but more importantly I can trust her to look after someone who isn't on medication and just needs some tlc for a few days, prior to release.
Miranda came in with a breathing condition and the need for a heat pad and Odin came in, with three legs and the need for somewhere safe.
By April, many of our hogs were getting up from hibernation and most of our wintering ones were going home. Cupid from 497g to 1256g, Donna from 377g to 1059g, Yule from 320g to 1429g and dear Blitzen who came in at 453g and went home in one of the new houses at 1537g! All went home to their base in Polegate. They live in a lovely area near the churchyard, I was looking at one of the babies we had in this year, I wouldn't be surprised if it was one of Cupids!
We also decided to update our road sign, so that people can find us easier - a simple black hedgehog on a white reflective board, with a solar light angled on top does the job well. For some odd reason, that also made me want to re-paint one of our windows, downstairs - to hedgehogs of course!
Miss Prickles came in during April, what a gorgeous girl. A little dehydrated which was sorted immediately and many parasites. She instantly became Princess Pickle as she was such a cutie. Unfortunately, she didn't make it and one morning immediately after feeding she just passed away. I was heartbroken. It took me hours to summon up the courage to phone the owner. Stupid, I know, But, still to this day, I question myself on - what did I miss? Losing a hedgehogs in part of being a rescue. By the time we get to some of them the window for saving them has passed - but this year there is two that stick in my heart, Eve and Princess Pickle - both should of survived. Both were doing so well. Sudden deaths or losses are always the hardest. Jib-Jab also arrived in May, a sunny happy little hog who couldn't wait to get back home.
May arrived with Hagrid. Our first hedgehog in with Balloon syndrome. Balloon syndrome is a rare condition in hedgehogs in which gas is trapped under the skin as a result of injury or infection, causing the hedgehog to inflate. It is akin to surgical emphysema seen in humans, although somewhat more profound in hedgehogs due to their tissue structure. It is thought to be caused by a sudden blow to the hedgehog, such as a kick from a horse or human. Balloon syndrome is a life threatening condition, and without medical intervention the hedgehog will die of suffocation. Once I lifted this huge beautiful hedgehog out of his box, you could see the roundness. He was gassed up to such an extent that his spines were popping off. Typically, when you need a vet they are closed! Oh, I kid you not - animals do tend to be ill over weekends and at night, just like us humans but typically most vets only operate from 9 til 5 Monday to Friday. Now, our vet has a half day on a Saturday, which just happened to be the day this balloon hedgehog arrived. Its gone mid day, so I called another local vet - Asked the question "Have you operated on hedgehogs, I have one with balloon syndrome and he needs deflating" - The local vets in Battle admitted they hadn't, and I seriously value them, for their honesty. I'm seriously thinking of a three hour car drive to Vale. Its an emergency, so we hop in the car and head off up the road. Looking in the car park of my usual vets as we pass. Luck would have it, I spotted a car and we raced around the back with our emergency. I had the Vale first aid book with me and the vet just accepted us, with no questions asked about my going around the back! One x-ray several de-pumps and slowly some of the gas came out. Home for medications, but with the expectancy that it could and probably would gas up again. I was just praying it wouldn't be on the Sunday! Fortunately, the gods must have smiled and Hagrid, is still with us. He's lost weight from his largest point which was 2.3kg to a healthy, I can very almost curl at 1560g. Hagrid, are only Slimmer of the Year 2022 !
May and June bought more and more hogs to our door. Mrs Tiggywinkle from Peacehaven. Wanda from Sovereign Harbour, Jubilee from Polegate to name just a few. Our furthest being from near Chichester. This is also when the babies start arriving. Along with Good Omen, a hedgehog found on the beach! Yes, actually on the beach. Not sure of he just fancied a day at the seaside, it has been a rather hot summer in the year of 2022 but seriously, a hedgehog on the beach? Yes, one walking on the pebbles. He came in at 80g so probably around 2 maybe 3 weeks old. My husband, also went up to Tewkesbury to attend the Vale wildlife Hedgehog first aid and rehabilitation course - so now even our driver is qualified to help!
When one comes in, alone - I'm looking for another rescue that can take it on. Its not fair it being alone, it needs the body warmth of other baby hedgehogs to survive. Some rescues wont even talk to us, and can not be bothered to return our calls or emails. I find this so sad, as we should all be looking out for the animal first. I am not your competition, I'm someone else you can help or would offer you support. Think about that, the next time you wish you had a spare incubator! Others from further a field have been so much help.
Yet, more babies by July. I lost one, which someone found it weighed a mere 19g when it came in, this is a newborn. Blind, no hearing just white spikes and nothing else. Was it lost? Did mum kick it out of the nest? (In which case something is wrong with it and it doesn't matter what I do, it wont make it) so many unanswered questions.
Someone took their shed down and found hoglets - five. Put them in an incubator and fed them around the clock every two hours - none made it. Slowly, one by one they passed away. Others came in and have done really well, blossomed and are now outside or in the rehab area waiting to be released into the wild in a few days time. In between the babies was Mack from Marsden in Kent, Tilly from Crawley and Xena warrior Princess from Battle and Sonic from Hastings, who had been hit by a car and suffered with a broken pelvis and several leg fractures, another marvellous vet, Iain managed to amputate the leg and time healed the pelvis. Basil also arrived dehydrated and full of parasites. In August, things still weren't slowing, with Eve from Winchelsea, Hope, Rosemary and Marjoram all hoglets from Cooden. Eve, I bought back to life twice. CPR on route home and again at home. Slowly warming the hog up, using my body heat, four hours later and she's ready for the incubator and can go in with other hoglets near her size.
August arrived with the dreaded flystrike, several babies arrived. One had been seen for three days and each time I asked and even told the person to collect it and get this hog to me. Not always will someone listen, even when they have called to ask for advice.
A hedgehog simply does not sun bathe, my dear. You taking photos of it and sticking some dog meet under its nose is not going to help. You picked it up and put it under a bush. So you do not have to look at it. Its covered with flies, there's white grains of rice looking stuff all over it and still you do not call. If that had been a cat, you would of done something. Then you call a rescue on the third day... and unfortunately, you wont be the only one. Maggots are crawling out of its ears and its eyes are sunken because its so dehydrated, you think there's movement and only find yet another maggot. Maggots do not just eat some of the animal and fly away. They eat it from the inside out. Its awful. Horrific. No words can explain. So, IF YOU SEE A HEDGEHOG OUT IN THE DAY, CALL THE RESCUE RIGHT AWAY!. Oh, and put it in a box before you call. 'We have had many a call saying there's a hedgehog outside and then the caller finds it gone when they return to it!
By the tail end of September, and we are starting to slow down. Ell arrived from the local travel lodge, obviously couldn't get a room! Fillipe has arrived, a handsome loving hog, with a big heart and a lung condition, back to the vets we go! Sofia came in, but we put her outside in the sanctuary, not sure if she's pregnant or not, but don't want to take the chance so she can chill out there for a month before we let her go. OPPS!! THE SANCTUARY - dear reader. I almost forgot! We have fenced off an area in our walled garden and given it to the hedgehogs! Odin, Thor and Sonic are out there, the three tripod amigos along with Baloo whose resting pending retirement (in all honesty he'd been released once in the summer and returned limping within three days- maybe arthritis?) and Sofie, just in case she is pregnant! .(She was gaining double the amount of grams per night to everyone else so it is a possibility and as I didn't want her to give birth in captivity, we thought it best she bides her time in the sanctuary! DRP Fencing solutions did a fabulous job and some of the local community have been marvellous by donating some plants to the area.
Another month before the juvenile's are due in - the band of hoglets that just wont fatten up enough to cope with hibernation this year. Its going to be a cold one, so put extra food out - they all need it right now.
Now, we are in mid November and still Hoglets are coming in. At under 200g, there is no chance they will make it through the winter - not without help.
Started on New Years day by getting Blitzen out into Hog-monceux medical room, the purpose adapted and well insulated shed. No sooner was he happily settled in an adapted rabbit cage (straw nesting area and separate food area) than Donna was following suit.
Only a weeks rest and the next two were fighting it out to see who would reach the magic weight and maintain it for three days - do that, and they're off outside.
Due to the urgency, it seemed worthwhile buying a couple of "hedgehog hutches" off of amazon. Not quiet such a good idea! When they arrived, which was quick - we couldn't believe someone could actually claim they were safe - the wire was stapled on the inside of the door - meaning the poor hedgehog could catch its nose easily on such a silly design. No hinges, the doors operate on a screw! in fact there was only 6 screws in the entire hutch. Two for the latches and others for the doors - the rest was stapled together.
Super hubby to the rescue! Firstly, he turned the door around so the wire was on the outside, then he built a second roof by un-stapling the top, this immediately provided a better height for nesting, at the same time he built a frame for the lid, so we have hinges on the top for easy access, when cleaning. The original divider was so insecure we just tapped it out. Instead a purpose built thick nesting box was added, which can only be removed from the roof.
Then to finish off a layer of foam was fitted to the base and the original roof piece was then added to the bottom, providing more insulation and warmth.
Before the month was out four hedgehogs had moved into the HMC Hogmonceux medical room.
Then by the 7th of February, after more medication, Buddy Holly and Vixen moved out there too.
The ICU remained still and quiet - for 24 hours.
Firstly, I'm on standby for a hog that didn't appear from Seaford. Fingers crossed he's okay, guessing he's gone into hibernation. Then I've been watching one of our hibernation hogs down in Hogingham - he appeared to limping quiet badly on the camera. So late one night, he got evicted from his safe house. Something I am loathe to do, I'd much rather wait til they are outside the house. Fortunately, this one didnt seem to mind. To my surprise when I got him indoors, it was Baloo. An old bully hog who's been visiting our garden on and off for the last two years, that we know of!
He's very easily identified because he is A dark blonde Hedgehog.
Baloo is still a European hedgehog but his skin pigmentation is different. As you can see, he has a pink nose. In fact, he's pink all over! He is not a true albino because he does not have red eyes and his spines are not white. He is also not fully blonde due to the darkness of his spines. Blonde hedgehogs are also known as leucistic hedgehogs, due to the absence of normal skin pigmentation. Such an unusual looking chap and friendly to a point. He does not seem to mind our attentions or having a bath (lots, he seems kind of greasy.) This is the first blonde hedgehog and we've had in to treat and I am told they are very rare in the wild.( I'd love to see an albino hedgehog too, I've only seen pictures online! ) We also know there is another pink nosed one in the area, who looks like a smaller version of this chap, we'd even nick named him mini me Baloo - time will tell if he's a dark blonde too!
Although, rare here, travel to the Channel Island of Alderney and around 40% of the hedgehogs are blonde! This is due to the lack of predators, over there they seem to have thrived!
October 2022
What on earth happened to this year? One moment we are happy in February looking forward to spring and the next thing, I'm looking at Autumn rolling in!
We flew through early spring, getting houses ready for Yule, Blitzen, Donna & Cupid, instead of making them from scratch I simply begged for some broken bedside cabinets at a local charity furniture store. Hubby ripped them apart and made a new houses for each of them! Meanwhile, Vixen and another hedgehog Storm were also ready to be released at nearby neighbours. Sometime in between Midnight appeared, yes dear reader at almost midnight hence the name! Then, just as we catch our breath Miranda and Odin needed some assistance. They both came from another rescue, which may seem odd - but any rescue worth its salt will know if you have too many animals in at once, something or someone will fail Mistakes and accidents happen. The rescuer is doing far too much to give each animal 100% of their time - and that's when we suddenly feel we have failed that one. Its not usually the case, at all - but we do have a habit of blaming ourselves. Any decent rescue would rather share the burden so they can concentrate on the ones that need the most help. Hence you may hear rescued from a rescue, which really means we are helping someone out.
My near neighbour and friend is turning into a valuable release site. She is knowledgeable enough to recognise when there's a problem, but more importantly I can trust her to look after someone who isn't on medication and just needs some tlc for a few days, prior to release.
Miranda came in with a breathing condition and the need for a heat pad and Odin came in, with three legs and the need for somewhere safe.
By April, many of our hogs were getting up from hibernation and most of our wintering ones were going home. Cupid from 497g to 1256g, Donna from 377g to 1059g, Yule from 320g to 1429g and dear Blitzen who came in at 453g and went home in one of the new houses at 1537g! All went home to their base in Polegate. They live in a lovely area near the churchyard, I was looking at one of the babies we had in this year, I wouldn't be surprised if it was one of Cupids!
We also decided to update our road sign, so that people can find us easier - a simple black hedgehog on a white reflective board, with a solar light angled on top does the job well. For some odd reason, that also made me want to re-paint one of our windows, downstairs - to hedgehogs of course!
Miss Prickles came in during April, what a gorgeous girl. A little dehydrated which was sorted immediately and many parasites. She instantly became Princess Pickle as she was such a cutie. Unfortunately, she didn't make it and one morning immediately after feeding she just passed away. I was heartbroken. It took me hours to summon up the courage to phone the owner. Stupid, I know, But, still to this day, I question myself on - what did I miss? Losing a hedgehogs in part of being a rescue. By the time we get to some of them the window for saving them has passed - but this year there is two that stick in my heart, Eve and Princess Pickle - both should of survived. Both were doing so well. Sudden deaths or losses are always the hardest. Jib-Jab also arrived in May, a sunny happy little hog who couldn't wait to get back home.
May arrived with Hagrid. Our first hedgehog in with Balloon syndrome. Balloon syndrome is a rare condition in hedgehogs in which gas is trapped under the skin as a result of injury or infection, causing the hedgehog to inflate. It is akin to surgical emphysema seen in humans, although somewhat more profound in hedgehogs due to their tissue structure. It is thought to be caused by a sudden blow to the hedgehog, such as a kick from a horse or human. Balloon syndrome is a life threatening condition, and without medical intervention the hedgehog will die of suffocation. Once I lifted this huge beautiful hedgehog out of his box, you could see the roundness. He was gassed up to such an extent that his spines were popping off. Typically, when you need a vet they are closed! Oh, I kid you not - animals do tend to be ill over weekends and at night, just like us humans but typically most vets only operate from 9 til 5 Monday to Friday. Now, our vet has a half day on a Saturday, which just happened to be the day this balloon hedgehog arrived. Its gone mid day, so I called another local vet - Asked the question "Have you operated on hedgehogs, I have one with balloon syndrome and he needs deflating" - The local vets in Battle admitted they hadn't, and I seriously value them, for their honesty. I'm seriously thinking of a three hour car drive to Vale. Its an emergency, so we hop in the car and head off up the road. Looking in the car park of my usual vets as we pass. Luck would have it, I spotted a car and we raced around the back with our emergency. I had the Vale first aid book with me and the vet just accepted us, with no questions asked about my going around the back! One x-ray several de-pumps and slowly some of the gas came out. Home for medications, but with the expectancy that it could and probably would gas up again. I was just praying it wouldn't be on the Sunday! Fortunately, the gods must have smiled and Hagrid, is still with us. He's lost weight from his largest point which was 2.3kg to a healthy, I can very almost curl at 1560g. Hagrid, are only Slimmer of the Year 2022 !
May and June bought more and more hogs to our door. Mrs Tiggywinkle from Peacehaven. Wanda from Sovereign Harbour, Jubilee from Polegate to name just a few. Our furthest being from near Chichester. This is also when the babies start arriving. Along with Good Omen, a hedgehog found on the beach! Yes, actually on the beach. Not sure of he just fancied a day at the seaside, it has been a rather hot summer in the year of 2022 but seriously, a hedgehog on the beach? Yes, one walking on the pebbles. He came in at 80g so probably around 2 maybe 3 weeks old. My husband, also went up to Tewkesbury to attend the Vale wildlife Hedgehog first aid and rehabilitation course - so now even our driver is qualified to help!
When one comes in, alone - I'm looking for another rescue that can take it on. Its not fair it being alone, it needs the body warmth of other baby hedgehogs to survive. Some rescues wont even talk to us, and can not be bothered to return our calls or emails. I find this so sad, as we should all be looking out for the animal first. I am not your competition, I'm someone else you can help or would offer you support. Think about that, the next time you wish you had a spare incubator! Others from further a field have been so much help.
Yet, more babies by July. I lost one, which someone found it weighed a mere 19g when it came in, this is a newborn. Blind, no hearing just white spikes and nothing else. Was it lost? Did mum kick it out of the nest? (In which case something is wrong with it and it doesn't matter what I do, it wont make it) so many unanswered questions.
Someone took their shed down and found hoglets - five. Put them in an incubator and fed them around the clock every two hours - none made it. Slowly, one by one they passed away. Others came in and have done really well, blossomed and are now outside or in the rehab area waiting to be released into the wild in a few days time. In between the babies was Mack from Marsden in Kent, Tilly from Crawley and Xena warrior Princess from Battle and Sonic from Hastings, who had been hit by a car and suffered with a broken pelvis and several leg fractures, another marvellous vet, Iain managed to amputate the leg and time healed the pelvis. Basil also arrived dehydrated and full of parasites. In August, things still weren't slowing, with Eve from Winchelsea, Hope, Rosemary and Marjoram all hoglets from Cooden. Eve, I bought back to life twice. CPR on route home and again at home. Slowly warming the hog up, using my body heat, four hours later and she's ready for the incubator and can go in with other hoglets near her size.
August arrived with the dreaded flystrike, several babies arrived. One had been seen for three days and each time I asked and even told the person to collect it and get this hog to me. Not always will someone listen, even when they have called to ask for advice.
A hedgehog simply does not sun bathe, my dear. You taking photos of it and sticking some dog meet under its nose is not going to help. You picked it up and put it under a bush. So you do not have to look at it. Its covered with flies, there's white grains of rice looking stuff all over it and still you do not call. If that had been a cat, you would of done something. Then you call a rescue on the third day... and unfortunately, you wont be the only one. Maggots are crawling out of its ears and its eyes are sunken because its so dehydrated, you think there's movement and only find yet another maggot. Maggots do not just eat some of the animal and fly away. They eat it from the inside out. Its awful. Horrific. No words can explain. So, IF YOU SEE A HEDGEHOG OUT IN THE DAY, CALL THE RESCUE RIGHT AWAY!. Oh, and put it in a box before you call. 'We have had many a call saying there's a hedgehog outside and then the caller finds it gone when they return to it!
By the tail end of September, and we are starting to slow down. Ell arrived from the local travel lodge, obviously couldn't get a room! Fillipe has arrived, a handsome loving hog, with a big heart and a lung condition, back to the vets we go! Sofia came in, but we put her outside in the sanctuary, not sure if she's pregnant or not, but don't want to take the chance so she can chill out there for a month before we let her go. OPPS!! THE SANCTUARY - dear reader. I almost forgot! We have fenced off an area in our walled garden and given it to the hedgehogs! Odin, Thor and Sonic are out there, the three tripod amigos along with Baloo whose resting pending retirement (in all honesty he'd been released once in the summer and returned limping within three days- maybe arthritis?) and Sofie, just in case she is pregnant! .(She was gaining double the amount of grams per night to everyone else so it is a possibility and as I didn't want her to give birth in captivity, we thought it best she bides her time in the sanctuary! DRP Fencing solutions did a fabulous job and some of the local community have been marvellous by donating some plants to the area.
Another month before the juvenile's are due in - the band of hoglets that just wont fatten up enough to cope with hibernation this year. Its going to be a cold one, so put extra food out - they all need it right now.
Now, we are in mid November and still Hoglets are coming in. At under 200g, there is no chance they will make it through the winter - not without help.
2025 Hedgehog Rescue in full swing.
The years have passed and still we rescue the Hedgehogs helping where we can. Our local vet must be paying at least one part time staff wage on the amount that our annual vets bill tots up too! On an average now of over 200 Hedgehogs a year that we release into the wild. Kate still comes six times a month to help, Maggie, another volunteer is here every Wednesday, and Bev manages a monthly visit too. Tess visits and helps whenever she can, but she's busy at work and has taken on a huge project of creating a wildlife haven complete with wildlife pond, I know where there's going to be a Hedgehog retirement home one day!. I actually took time off for my birthday this year - did the Hedgehogs in the morning, left at lunchtime, Tess came in and did the evening feeds and I watched Maggie arrive the following morning and our son Kallum, had already started the cleaning. I was home that evening to finish off and honestly it really was a break.
In reflection, last year (2024) with much help from followers donating funds we purchased a Ultrasound, This was due to the amount of pregnant females we had in during 2024. Its tricky to begin with but with some helpful pointers from the vet, we have successfully manage to change the care of one Hedgehog so far, already. This year, with donations all ready given we managed to afford a red light therapy unit which will help wounds heal faster and ringworm to be cured a bit quicker - anything, that will shorten the stay of hedgehog, will reduce the stress of captivity so it must be a good thing.
Our annual calendars sold out fast this year - the advantages of releasing them early. On top of that I was making suncatcher and Christmas tree decorations, featuring Hedgehogs and other wildlife, so that helped pay for some winter food. There was 35 in on Christmas day, and now, six months later its actually quietened off a wee bit.
We have moved the shed in hopes of starting the ground work for the hogspital - however, looking at the ridiculous quotations, it may be seriously easier to move and just pay for it ourselves. We will see, there's other things going on at the moment, so we will just continue where we can.
Apologies for not keeping up with the Hog Log, life is full and Hedgehogs keep us busy!
In reflection, last year (2024) with much help from followers donating funds we purchased a Ultrasound, This was due to the amount of pregnant females we had in during 2024. Its tricky to begin with but with some helpful pointers from the vet, we have successfully manage to change the care of one Hedgehog so far, already. This year, with donations all ready given we managed to afford a red light therapy unit which will help wounds heal faster and ringworm to be cured a bit quicker - anything, that will shorten the stay of hedgehog, will reduce the stress of captivity so it must be a good thing.
Our annual calendars sold out fast this year - the advantages of releasing them early. On top of that I was making suncatcher and Christmas tree decorations, featuring Hedgehogs and other wildlife, so that helped pay for some winter food. There was 35 in on Christmas day, and now, six months later its actually quietened off a wee bit.
We have moved the shed in hopes of starting the ground work for the hogspital - however, looking at the ridiculous quotations, it may be seriously easier to move and just pay for it ourselves. We will see, there's other things going on at the moment, so we will just continue where we can.
Apologies for not keeping up with the Hog Log, life is full and Hedgehogs keep us busy!