Full to capacity and very busy at the hedgehog rescue

Sorry for the lack of updates, but we are extremely busy in the rescue and are receiving 8-9 calls every day. This shows how sad the situation is for hedgehogs, with so many needing help.

We are trying to answer as many calls as we can and to give advice, but the hedgehogs are coming in so very poorly that we cannot always get to the phone because the ones in the rescue need us. We are sadly at full capacity just now. We can only take the number of hedgehogs we can physically care for and are licensed for. It is heartbreaking not to be able to take every single hedgehog, and it would be our dream never to say no, but so many need help.

Little Smudge was spotted down along Burntisland Harbour by Rosie. Flies were landing on her and had laid their eggs around her left eye and all round her bottom. Thankfully Rosie picked her up and called us, and we arranged for one of our lovely volunteers to pop down and collect her. Thank you, Susie! Little Smudge arrived snuggled in a hat.

Smudge was desperately poorly. When we looked at a poo sample under the microscope, she had the highest number of active lungworm we have ever seen: 209 in one tiny speck. She was hydrated, the fly eggs were removed, she was warmed up and mild medication was started, but we were too late and she passed away just over 24 hours later.

It is awful seeing so many poorly little ones coming in just now. Autumn juveniles have it so tough. Food is hard to find, and the wet weather and colder temperatures make life very difficult. Being born late, so many perish because they cannot put enough fat reserves on for the coming winter. The only consolation is that Smudge had some food in her belly and was warm and comfortable at the end.

If you find a hedgehog that looks poorly, please read our advice on what to do.