Once she seemed to doze off, woke up again with a start and carried on feeding. The next time I saw her it looked as though she had curled up and gone to sleep on the grass next to the feeder.
This was not natural Hedgehog behaviour so I phoned Elaine at Authorpe Hedgehog Care and had a chat with her about it. As a result I found a cardboard box, lined it with newspaper and put some well screwed up newspaper around the edges so that Hope wouldn't slide about. Then I carefully put Hope in the box and we set off to find Hedgehog Care. Fortunately the route is well signposted from the main road right to the front door.
Elaine had a good look at Hope and confirmed that she is a girl Hedgehog. In spite of all the food she has been eating she is underweight and on the thin side. Also she was wheezing a bit. This could be caused by lung worms which is a common infection for hogs but treatable. Elaine has all the necessary medication and many years of experience treating thousands of hogs.
Elaine with Hope:
Having made a donation to help with her care it was with more than a little sadness I left my little hog in Elaine's capable hands. Hope will have to stay a week or more while she gets expert care and Elaine will phone me when she is fit enough to come home.
Hope is a lucky girl to be coming to your garden! Elaine looks quite comfortable with her; here's to her speedy recovery. When we see animals with unexpected behavior here in the US, we have to be very careful in handling them due the possibility of rabies. Glad that is not a concern for you in England.
ReplyDeleteThat's a heartwarming story, John. A big AAAhhh from Matron!
ReplyDeleteHope Hope gets better soon.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to know there are people about like Elaine and yourself John, to take the time to help our wildlife in times of need.
ReplyDeleteI hope she's quickly returned fully recovered, to take up residence with you again.
Best wishes for a quick recovery to the little Hog!
ReplyDeleteAw - fingers crossed for a speedy recovery for Hope. Sounds as though she struck lucky by living in your garden and being taken for a car ride for TLC and medication. Well done you and Elaine.
ReplyDeleteWell done John.
ReplyDeletePoor little Hope, I was a little worried about her before when you said she had been visiting during the day, I'm sure she will be well looked after by Elaine. I'm so glad you care enough to help, I would be exactly the same.
ReplyDeleteHi Wilma. Thank you for your kind thoughts. Over the years we have had such strict quarantine laws that we have managed to keep rabies as bay. Plenty of other animal borne diseases though but I think Hedgehogs are pretty safe - apart from their teeth.
ReplyDeleteHi Matron. I am just hoping I didn't wait too long.
ReplyDeleteThank you kind thought, Helen.
ReplyDeleteThanks Keith. It is surprising how many Hedgehog helpers there are around the country.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your good wishes, Mick.
ReplyDeleteThank you Tricia. Elaine is a very busy carer. When I phoned her at lunch time I said that I hoped I wasn't interrupting a meal time. Her reply was that she was too busy for such things.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rob. Let's hope I was in time.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jan. It is so difficult to know when to intervene with wildlife. I hope I didn't leave it too late. Elaine is a real expert when it comes to hogs so Hope is in the best place anyway.
ReplyDeleteHello John ~ I'm back home again, and was pleased that you had seen fit to take Hope to have a check-up under the circumstances. I've left a little get well wish for her on my blog. She looks to be in good hands, and nice to know that Hope is a 'she'!
ReplyDeleteAlso a tail-less bird... what next! I'm glad to know it can still fly ... it does look a bit peculiar, doesn't it?
Looking forward to hearing how Hope makes out.
Thank you Glo for the lovely get well wish for Hope on your blog. At the moment I am taking it that no news is good news.
ReplyDeleteThe Blackbirds round here are a puzzilng bunch what with no tail on one and feathers sticking out all over on others.
Looking forward to seeing the photos of your holiday.
It's good that you were there looking out for her, John! Nice one.
ReplyDeleteFantastic that you were there looking out for her. With luck the hedgehog centre will sort her out, and feed her up a bit.
ReplyDeleteThank you G L W. Still no news so with luck she is progressing OK.
ReplyDelete