April 2010

I thought it would be quiet now that all my Autumn Juveniles had been released......... think again. Ellie came in - bless her 350g possibly the prettiest hedgehog I have ever seen. Poor thing she was stick thin - she was found in a garden in Wotton. She started on a heat pad and although I could get her eating she was still losing weight, everything we tried just failed. She started to be fed every four hours by syringe, but sadly she lost the fight. Please can I pass on my thanks to John and Julien Crowther and welcome them to Help A Hedgehog Hospital, their support was invaluable. After speaking to the Hedgehog Preservation Society Ellie had half a brown tongue this was caused by poisoning probably insecticides there was no hope for our spikey friend, but she fought so hard. Please be careful when you are putting down any poison in your garden, hedgerows are often sprayed by the council - how many poor Ellies have been poisoned and died already this year?

Next Hamish returned to the hospital my first ever rescued hedgehog. My son Louie would you believe it found him, disturbed from hibernation after some building work in the village. It was great to see Hamish, thin but 590g is not a bad weight to get through hibernation. Hamish had to go to the Vets where it looked like his abscess had returned he was put on a course of Baytril and his abscess was lanced.

Then Lilly came in...............what a sad sight a huge infested bite to her undercarriage it looked like this could be the end of the road for Lilly. After an amazing operation by Kirsty, thank you so much and a course of Baytril Lilly was on top of the world. She had to have a large part of her skin removed and stretched, but so far is making a good recovery.

Hamish lost his battle with his abscess and suffered a stroke. Poor Alexandria and Jackie were so distressed to have lost Hamish and my heartfelt thanks go to them for looking after the fort for me when I was away and for caring for Lilly and Hamish. I wish they hadn't had this horrible experience, but I think we were all so lucky to have met the nicest hedgehog ever and he will never be forgotten.

Brad came in .....absolutely stick thin starving to death Bev, Ellie and Sam did everything possible to help our little friend but sadly he was unable to pull through. It is so tough losing our Spikey Friends but when they are ill it is a really difficult fight. Some of them just are too weak to pull through, at least he was warm and comfortable. Poor Bev - it has been a difficult time and so frustrating when you lose a hedgehog.