First aid

If a hedgehog is found in daylight, this is usually a sign something is wrong. Hedgehogs are nocturnal and do not come out during the day to lie in the sun. Nest disturbance is common but many are more likely to be orphaned, injured, poisoned or cold and starving so help is essential. Staggering and poor muscle co-ordination may mean an internal injury but it could also mean hypothermia (if this is the case, the animal will be so cold that he/she may be unable to eat or drink or curl up and is therefore on a downward spiral, so warmth is vital). Even if there are no obvious signs of injury the following guidelines should be followed:

One:

Ensure the hedgehog is kept warm, by placing it in a high-sided box lined well with newspaper. Place the hedgehog on a hot water bottle, which is wrapped in a towel, and cover the hedgehog with a further towel. Leave enough room for the hedgehog to move off if it gets too hot. However, direct heat is not advisable if internal bleeding is suspected or there is a large open wound. NB. Electrically heated pads for pets are ideal.

Two:

Check for fly eggs (they look like thick clumps of pollen or sugar) or the already developed maggots in the ears, mouth, anus, armpits and fur. If present try to remove very carefully - useful aids are a magnifying glass, tweezers, cotton buds and a fine paintbrush. Aromatherapy oils like oil of clove leaf or tea tree may also help.

Three:

NEVER use cat or dog flea spray on hedgehogs and DO NOT let your vet treat with Front Line - Johnsons Rid-mite or Johnsons Head to Tail flea powder (from pet shops) is better if fleas are present. However if the hedgehog is being taken to a carer just leave and they can sort.

Four:

Bathe open wounds with warm salt water (one teaspoon of salt per half litre/one pint of warm water) seek professional help as soon as possible. If there is a problem with the eyes, bathe them in warm water or Optrex and again seek advice.

Five:

Offer the hedgehog a drink of water or lectade NEVER cow's milk as this can cause enteritis (lectade is a re-hydrating solution which can be obtained from a vet). When giving water to replace sugars and salts lost in the body make up one litre (two pints) of warm water with a tablespoon of glucose and a teaspoon of salt. (Glucose can be found in the baking aisle of many supermarkets or you can get it from your local chemist).  

Six:

If injured, coughing or wheezing or does not respond to first aid treatment take the hedgehog to a vet immediately. If is not injured and appears to respond to your treatment, then offer a small amount of meat based pet food or a little cooked chicken (without bones). Continue with lectade to drink, as this will replace vital salts and minerals and can even be given via a dropper or syringe but only once the hedgehog has warmed up.

Seven:

Keep the box, covered with an old net curtain to protect the patient from flies, dirt etc. in a warm, dark, quiet place to aid recovery and reduce stress.

Ticks
These are white/grey shiny nodules on the skin or between the fur are probably ticks. Unless you know what you are doing it is best to leave well alone and the vet or carer can deal with. 

Adapted and reproduced with the kind permission of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society.