Still has to be one of my favourite #AQ3D screenshots...
The credit for this โshotโ goes to @SirLoinUK๐ It took us about 7 attempts to get it perfect and his quote for this picture was:
โMadam... This Time You Have Gone Too Farโ
All creatures deserve to live a safe happy life, and we are privilaged to be able to give these georgeous creatures a second chance in the wild. #welovehedgehogs#hedgehogs#rescue#beautiful
Every phone call I've taken this week has broken my heart a little bit more.
So much unnecessary suffering.
Please spread this information, as far and wide as you can.
You may save a life.
๐
A hedgehog *out in the open* in the day is in serious trouble and needs urgent help.
Always.
No exceptions.
Any size.
Any time.
Hedgehogs are nocturnal prey animals, they have no defences in the daytime, it's deadly dangerous for them.
They are designed to hunt at night, to navigate and catch insects in the dark, occupying a specific ecological niche.
They are not adapted to withstand high temperatures, and their shape means they rapidly dehydrate during daylight hours.
They are nocturnal animals.
So they don't come out in the day simply because they're hungry, or lost, or disturbed, or to move nests, or are pregnant, or for any other trivial reason.
They come out in the day because it's warmer than the night and they are feeling cold.
Deadly cold.
They're feeling cold because they're so sick they're starting to die, and hypothermia is a stage of dying. Blood has been redirected to the vital organs, keeping them alive as long as possible, leaving the limbs feeling cold.
If you see a hedgehog like this, out in the open, in the day time, no matter how 'well' he looks, it is an emergency.
Every minute counts.
DO NOT put them in a box and keep them, feeding them, not calling a rescue for advice for 3 days until their agony and infection is too much for them to bear and they stop moving.
DO NOT feed them then move them under a bush because you think they shouldn't be in the sun, leaving them, utterly defenceless, to be predated alive there.
DO NOT take them to a vet, none of whom are trained in wildlife and will simply put to sleep even viable wild animals.
Please take them to a rescue (never a vet) URGENTLY.
Just Google 'hedgehog rescue near me' to find a list.
More info: https://t.co/I1vcAnWv1t
Rhia continues to have her treatment, today I started her ringworm medication baths ... it wasn't too bad on arrival but the stress of captivity can result in it becoming a problem causing spines to drop. #hedgehog
This lovely hefty boy is Tonga, and this mangled mess is what's left of his poor ear.
But that's not why he was admitted. The finder heard a hedgehog scream in the early hours, and then in the morning found Tonga in the middle of the lawn, unmoving.
It's very rare for a hedgehog to scream; they suffer tremendous pain in silence. It's usually extreme terror that will make them scream. But this can include psychological fear stemming from neurological trauma.
Tonga is from the same garden as Solomon, Marshall and Wallis.
The ear injury is bad, but it's a few days old. He has no fresh injuries, so his scream is a mystery as yet.
He's under close observation here and I've administered good pain relief and antibiotics, as well as fluids and warmth, and am awaiting a poo sample to see what's going on inside of this poor sad frightened boy.
Some #hedgehogs surprise you. Bonnie arrived last week, bubbling nose, sucking in sides, wheezing & mouth breathing. Poo green froth with cap, fluke, lwl & coccidiosis ...I expected her 2
pass away that night ...gave her all I could & made her comfortable..day 5..keep fighting โค๏ธ
Just to start the weekend off on a joyful note, just look what a week in care has done for that dying starved little skin and bones baby, Ryder.
Not only is he alive, engaged, happy and having a fun time, he has the sweetest little rounded belly.๐
If you'd like to help with his treatment at @pricklelodge , here are their Amazon wishlist and donation details:
Wishlist: https://t.co/tUH1PVbSEd
PayPal: https://t.co/26Zgyvg07L
Thank you so much.
Happy weekend!
Ryder's history: https://t.co/gAC13vvxiS
Sat drinking my morning cuppa and this little one is strolling up the lawn ๐ฌ....it's one of Daisy's Hoglets ...I can still see the lime paint. #hedgehog ....I now have wet slippers ๐
Have you seen a #hedgehog you're worried about?
๐๐ฆ๐ฉน
Follow these simple first aid steps & call us on 01584 890801 or your local independent hedgehog rescue as soon as possible.
https://t.co/Qd9aQ4At6t
Don't delay - acting now can make a difference!
#MondayMotivation