"Chris Hogg" wrote

Spider wrote:

Bob Hobden wrote:
This week we have had a hedgehog in our garden, not seen one for 15 or
so years, unfortunately we have seen it because it's been about in
daylight which they should never be. Fed it wet cat food for three days
but it was still about late this morning. Spoke to our "local" rescue
centre and they said get him there ASAP as a Hedgehog would never be
about in daylight unless they had a serious problem.
They suspect internal parasites, will check his poo and treat, we then
have to go and pick him up and put him back in our garden.

Until today I was not aware that any hedgehog about during the day
should immediately be taken to a rescue centre without question.



No, nor did I, and I have seen them on occasion. I will remember your
experience and endeavour to catch the critter next time. I have handled
them, as has RG, so that shouldn't be a problem. Thanks, Bob.

Am I right in thinking that it's a myth that hedgehogs are riddled
with fleas, or is it true?


Something else I learnt by talking to the lovely ladies at the rescue centre
(large shed in a back garden) was that although they do have fleas they are
specific to Hedgehogs and will not live on humans or other animals and won't
survive in carpets or cars etc. Thank goodness.

Other things I learnt are....
if you want to pick one up it's best to let it roll up first and then pick
it up using strong gloves because if it rolls up after you have it in your
hands you may find your glove fingers trapped, they have a strong grip.
Place in a cardboard box with air holes or pet carrier, with a towel on the
floor and lots of screwed up newspaper for it to burrow into.
They often are also suffering from hyperthermia because of their problem
(yes even in the summer) so they recommend filling a plastic bottle with hot
water, wrapping it in a few layers of paper and also placing that in the
carrier like a hot water bottle.

The rescue centre I went to was.....
http://www.happyhedgehog.org.uk/
--
Regards. Bob Hobden.
Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK