And the IFAW Vet of The Year is .....

A few months ago I saw a form asking for nominations for the IFAW yearly awards. One of the categories was 'Vet of The Year.' I knew exactly who I wanted to nominate and so picked up the form, took it home, completed it and sent it off. I thought no more of it until I received a call from Helen (from the A120 Medivets) asking me if I wanted to join her at the IFAW awards ceremony.  

She'd won! Now I don't want to sound surprised because she really did deserve to win, but you never think that when you nominate someone they'll win. However I wanted to thank Helen for all the hard work she does for us and other local organisations, such as Mutts In Distress and nominating her was the best way I could think of doing it.

So there we were on Tuesday (22nd October) in the Houses of Parliament, holding a glass of wine and nibbling on the most delicious food, listening to Bill Oddie as he introduced the winners of each category. Needless to say we had a fab time and what follows are just a few images of our day.

Bill Oddie introducing the winners

Helen receiving her award - couldn't get a better view there were these official photographers in the way! 

Helen with her award

The view across the river taken from the House of Parliament 

P.S. My claim to fame - I've now heard Bill Oddie say Herts Hogline. He's very unlikely ever to remember that but I certainly will.  

Hedgehogs in October by Kay Bullen (British Hedgehog Preservation Society)

Some of the really large hedgehogs may go into hibernation this month but the smaller hedgehogs will still need to put on weight.  The colder weather makes some of the hedgehogs’ natural food become less active and eventually disappears, so putting out extra food for the hedgehogs can be a lifesaver.  It is not the cold that will kill these juveniles but the lack of food brought about by the cold, so even in really cold weather they will have to continue to forage.

Do take care when raking up leaves and tidying your garden.  Check there are no hedgehogs in pile of rubbish that you intend to bin or burn.  If you can perhaps leave a pile of leaves in a sheltered dry spot for a hedgehog to use.  Other creatures may also use it e.g. a toad perhaps.  The birds also like to turn the leaves over looking for worms and other invertebrates.  If you are clearing any drains of leaves try to find a cover for the drain to stop both leaves and hedgehogs from falling into that drain.  Make sure any netting from the Runner Beans, fruit trees etc. is stored away safely so hedgehogs cannot become tangled in it.  There can be so many dangers for hedgehogs in our gardens and if there is something to get caught up in then the hedgehog is sure to find it.  Have a look at our ”Gardening with Hedgehogs” leaflet on our web site.

People often say to me hedgehogs are full of fleas.  I have to say that when I started to rehabilitate hedgehogs over 20 years ago this was the case.  However this no longer seems to be the case.  Many of the hedgehogs taken in by rescue centres do not have fleas, some will of course, but a large proportion do not.  This is a worry because will the cause of the flea decline work its way up the chain and eventually affect hedgehogs.  If you want to find out more about hedgehogs visit the British Hedgehog Preservation Society’s web site at www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk  We have a leaflet called “Autumn Juveniles” that you may find of help and interest at this time of year.

If you find a hedgehog needing help or if you need more advice call the BHPS on 01584 890801 – it is better to be safe than sorry.  

Arthur Formerly Known as Spike

On the 3rd August we received a call from Medivets in Chestnut who had taken in a hedgehog that had a broken leg. Sadly the leg could not be saved and they asked if we could rehabilitate a three legged hedgehog. Our answer was yes, as long as a back leg which thankfully it was. So they kindly removed the leg without charge.

Spike a day or so after his big operation

Weighing just 395 grams

Once they were happy with his progress he was transferred to Medivets in Enfield then to our local vets, the A120 Medivets, so he could be collected. Due to work commitments HQ was closed, so one of our fab carers (Michelle) stepped in and took over his care. She named him Spike, she names all her hedgehog visitors Spike. Now Spike was kept inside on towels for just over a week to allow his wound to heal. Whilst in Michelle's care he was found to be very partial to meal worms and would hiss like a trooper when picked up to be checked. Once happy the wound had healed he was moved outside into a hutch and run, to allow him to get used to being on grass. He was still being closely monitored to ensure he was adapting to have a leg missing.

Healing well, enjoying the evening sun outside and

now weighing a whopping 465 grams

He adapted quickly to only having three legs and was able to keep his face clean, so he was moved to his new forever home where he was renamed Arthur.

Temporary home whilst larger premises more suitable 

for winter were located

Arthur has been in his new home for just under two weeks. He has settled in, is coping well with life and at 674 grams he is ready for hibernation.

Arthur as he is now - ready for winter

It's great to see Arthur doing so well and as and when I receive up-dates I'll keep you posted on our Facebook page. 

Lastly I'd like to thank everyone who helped in saving Arthur - a great team effort.   

Triplets Followed By Twins

On 16th of July I received a call from a lady who had found a small hoglet (a female) out of its own. Unfortunately due to work commitments HQ was closed. Thankfully Sophie from the A120 Medivets (Bishop's Stortford) had offered to help if any hoglets needed it. So the hoglet was dropped off to her.

The next day it's siblings (a brother and a sister) were found. Thankfully they had been picked up quick and were fairly healthy apart from a few fly eggs. The two girls weighed 85 grams whilst their brother just 75 grams. Then a few hours later another two hoglets were found by another member of the public. Sadly their mother had been found dead and at just 30 grams each would surely have died. Although Sophie had her hands full with the triplets she madly agreed to take on the twins as well.

Sophie kept me updated and by the 20th the triplets had reached around 100 grams each and the twins were trying to eat by themselves.

The triplets

One of the triplets enjoying a little tea

Under Sophie's tender care the triplets and twins continued to thrive and were soon looking for a fosterer to fatten them up (ready for the winter) and take them for walks to get used to foraging. In stepped Alison (and her family) who took on the task of caring for the triplets and Di (and Rob) took on the task of caring for the twins.

Both Alison and Di have kept me up-to-date with the progress of the triplets and twins. Here are just a few of the lovely photographs they've sent me.  

The Triplets:

The triplets enjoying their new enclosure

23rd August - what a handful!

One of the triplets - free to roam the garden

The Twins:

The twins enjoying exploring their new home

Fizz keeping guard

 
Hopefully by the beginning of next month all five hoglets will be large enough to be returned to the wild. Now we're waiting for the autumn babies to start coming in so we can start the process all over again.

Pocket Full of Change

It's that time of year when we return from holiday with a pocket full of foreign currency. Many of us never know what to do with it so simply throw into a the nearest drawer or pot. These coins then spend months perhaps even years lying there doing nothing.

Well that doesn't have to be the case. Many not-for-profit organisations (such as Herts Hogline) and charities collect and sell foreign currency to raise much needed funds. For each bucket of foreign coins Herts Hogline can raise around £60. This would cover the cost of care and rehabilitation for two hedgehogs.

So please collect those coins. Ask family and friends for theirs. Perhaps encourage a school or an after school club such as the local Brownies or Cub Scouts to rescue those un-loved coins and put them to work.