08/10/2026
3 hpothermic hedgehogs in from Longridge in the last few days, two sadly died soon after admission, too poorly to be helped. Both had flystrike (and one with maggots), where flies lay eggs on hedgehogs collapsed or lying out in the open. One had a very deep dog bite wound in his tummy and was found at a cheese factory, another was found on the pavement this morning in Longridge and another found in a garden later today. The latter hoggy is currently warming in the incubator as we speak to see if we can stabilise him, we believe he also has lungworm. Well done finders for bringing them to help π
Sadly hypothermia is a critical secondary symptom to another injury or illness and causes them to come out into the sunlight to try to warm up. Once hypothermic, the risk of mortality is significantly high - but not impossible to recover from, there is still a chance with gradual warming to a stable temperature.
Please remember a hedgehog out in the day is generally not ok. The only exception can be nursing mothers moving with purpose in breeding season, but they would not be lying in the sun. If you see one, please don't wait to see if you see it again - the chance of you spotting the hoggy might be the only one chance they have π’π