Here are some basic first aid hints and tips.
If you would like to care for Hedgehogs yourself, or ever find you can't get one to a Vet or a Wildlife/Hedgehog Rescue, then this page will come in lots of use.
Upon receiving a Hedgehog, you should check for the following things.
But- The Hedgehog will need to see the Vet or Wildlife/Hedgehog Rescue if it has:
Green faeces, blood or Diarrhoea
Broken bones/limbs or wounds
Skin problems or lose of fur/spines
Dental problems
Cold to the touch
Coughs or wheezes
Fleas: Description: Brown or Red insects that are small. They can sometimes be seen jumping or walking though the Hedgehog's fur and spines. Treatment: Buy Johnson's Rid Mite™ or a similar product such as a Powder which contains pyrethrums specifically for cage birds. These are available online or from a Pet shop. Dust the Hedgehog lightly with the product. It would also be a good to dust the Hedgehogs bedding as well. Never use a Cat or Dog Flea Spray/powder! This is poisonous for hedgehogs and will either kill or make them seriously ill! Hedgehog fleas are nothing like Cat or Dog fleas, and cannot live on any other animal for long.
Picture- A Hedgehog with fleas being treated. |
Mites: Description: White or Brown insects that move around the body and fur. They can cause Mange! The Hedgehogs fur and spines fall out, which starts on the face. Crusty lumps appear on the skin, as skin flakes. The spines look pussy at the base, and are bent. The Hedgehog may also have bleeding scabs. Treatment: Take the Hedgehog to the Vets. The Vet should give three or four IVOMEC injections. These should be one week apart. The Hedgehog will need 0.02ml per KG body weight. Brush off any loose skin with a Tooth brush. In mild cases, Tea Tree cream can be used. You can buy this from a Health food shop or Chemist.
Picture- (Top Right) A Hedgehog with no fur underneath due to mites, it is being treated with a Tooth Brush. (Bottom Right) A Hedgehog with mites, showing flaky skin and lose of spines. Both Hedgehog from Epping Forest Hedgehog Rescue. |
Ticks: Description: White or Grey beads with little brown legs, about the size of a pea. They attach their heads to the Hedgehog's skin. They can be find around the face, often behind the ears. They can also be found around the tail and skirt. But they may also be found anywhere else on the Hedgehog. A Hedgehog with more than 12 Ticks will get Anaemia, which will severely weaken a it. A Hedgehog with more than 30 Ticks has a very poor chance of surviving. Treatment: Use Frontline™ Flea spray from the Vets. But be careful! Never spray it onto the Hedgehog! It is safe to be used on Hedgehogs, but it can cause severe breathing problems when breathed in or absorbed through the skin. This can kill a Hedgehog! The safest way to use it is to spray it into a medicine cup about ½ ml to 1 ml. Then you can use a cotton wool bud to wipe a tiny bit of the spray onto the Tick. This will ensure that none of the Frontline will get onto the Hedgehog. Another way to get the Ticks off is to use a pair of Tweezers. Grip the Tick firmly with them and twist Anti-clockwise 3 or 4 times. Do Not pull! If you do the head of the Tick will be left behind and will cause an infection. Just gently turn and the Tick should fall out. This way takes time, and you should only do so if you are sure you know what you are doing. You can also buy a special Tick remover like this one. It is called Trix Tick Remover and is not too expensive. Please do not use with hot water.
Pictures- showing a Hedgehog with Ticks on the face |
Ringworm:  Description:
Ringworm is very similar to mange. The Hedgehogs fur and spines fall out, which starts on the face. Crusty lumps appear on the skin, as skin flakes. The spines look pussy at the base, and are bent. The Hedgehog may also have bleeding scabs. Treatment: Please read Here for more a more in depth view. - You can use Almond oil with a few drops of Tea Tree oil.
- Then
 brush off the loose skin with an old Tooth Brush. - Bathe the Hedgehog in IMAVEROL solution every 3 or 4 Days, for 4 baths.
- Also use one of the following over the counter Anti fungals on the affected areas daily- Daktarin, Canestan, Tinaderm or Scholl athletes foot cream.
- Tea Tree cream can be used. You can buy this from a Health food shop or Chemist.
It has been found that using an Anti fungal or Tea Tree cream on the Hedgehogs ears and face is better for the Hedgehog than using Imaverol. It is wise to treat for both Mites & Ringworm when a Hedgehog is found with either, because they are so similar.
Pictures: (Top Right) A Hedgehog being treated for Ringworm on his face. (Bottom Right) A Hedgehog being treated showing Ringworm on her feet. |
Lungworm: Description: The Hedgehog sounds like a smoker coughing, which starts after a few Days in the warmth. The cough is often heard at night while the Hedgehog is sleeping. As a result the Hedgehog will fail to put on weight despite eating well. Treatment: As some species of Lungworm have become resistant to Panacur, the best alternative to use is Telmin (Mebendazole). It is a safe wormer for Lungworms and can be given daily for 5 days. Then stop for 14 Days, and repeat for yet another 5 Days. Antibiotics should also be given at the same time that is normally Baytril 2.5% given for a minimum of 10 days at a dose of 0.2ml per KG body weight twice daily. Either oral or by subcutaneous injection. It is not recommended that you use Levamisole injection for lungworms, which is what some Vets recommend. This is because it has been found that the strong substance kills all the worms very quickly, and the weak or ill Hedgehog can't cope with the toxins from the dead worms. The Hedgehog may die. Also, if you give Levicide you must also give the Hedgehog Dex otherwise the worms die in the lungs and kill the Hedgehog.
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Worms: Description: The Hedgehog fails to put on weight, even though the Hedgehog is eating. The Hedgehog will look thin and rangy, and may even have green or blood in its droppings. Treatment: It is wise to treat all Hedgehogs with PANACUR (Fenbendazole) as soon as they arrive, as many have worms. Give the Hedgehog Panacur for 5 Days. 2 weeks later, give the Hedgehog Telmin for 3 days. Then, again give the Hedgehog Panacur for another 2 Days. Always give Antibiotics when you initially worm a Hedgehog. The usual Antibiotics is Baytril 2.5% at a dose of 0.2ml per KG bodyweight given twice daily. This can be given by oral or by subcutaneous injection.
When a Hedgehog gets worms, this is because of its diet. This are given to the Hedgehog when they eat Slugs, Snails and Earthworms. You can help by feeding the Hedgehog yourself. This will mean that they don't have to eat many of the Slugs and Snails, which can also give them Lungworm.
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Fly Eggs: Description: Clumps of what look like tiny grains of rice. These can be found on damp areas or the body, mainly around the skirt, eyes, neck, Anus, belly, under armpits and in the ears. They can also be seen on sores and open wounds. Treatment: There are several ways to get rid of fly eggs. You can use tweezers if the fly eggs are among the spines. You can also use a nit comb or an old Tooth Brush. If the fly eggs are among the soft fur then you can also clip some of the fur off. Tea Tree oil or clove leaf oil may help. Then flush out the ears with pet ear drops. This can also be done with warm salt water. When you have done that, flush out the eyes with plain warm water. If the infestation it bad though, wash the Hedgehog in a bowl of warm water with Savlon in it. Please pay particular attention to the skirt and the fur. Then wrap the Hedgehog in an old towel. Keep the Hedgehog in the towel until it is dry. The Hedgehog will need to see a Vet as soon as possible for an injection of IVOMEC 0.02ml per KG body weight.
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Maggots: Description: White or cream in colour. They are wriggling worm like creatures. They can be seen on open wounds on the Hedgehog, in damp areas, under the armpits, under the eyelids and in the ears. Treatment: Once the fly eggs have hatched out into Maggots, it is often too late for the Hedgehog. They should be taken to a Vet straight the way. If the infestation is not too bad, with care it can be done. Follow the same basic treatments as for fly eggs. A Hairdryer can be used to bring maggots to the surface, but make sure you don't burn the Hedgehog! Any maggots left over can be caught by brushing Battle Maggot Paste over the affected area. But the Hedgehog will still need to see a Vet or a Wildlife/Hedgehog Rescue.
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