Hoggy was brought to Blyth Wildlife Rescue because she was found out during the day (Hedgehogs are strictly nocturnal)
She was dehydrated, and was suffering from Fleas and Ticks all over her body. She was also very underweight. At her age, she should have weighed about 600g, as it was near the end of summer. Hedgehogs need sufficient fat reserves in their body to be able to survive their hibernation period over winter. If Hoggy had been released at the time she was found, she would have almost certainly have died over the winter during hibernation. When Hoggy first came to Blyth Wildlife Rescue, she only weighed approximately 300g; half the weight she should have been at that time of year!

By the time winter had moved into spring, a new problem with Hoggy’s health became apparent. She had lost the elasticity in her skin, which meant that skin, particularly under her legs, and across her stomach, was hanging down and dragging along under her feet. The problem was that with any prolonged walking would cause the skin to be cut, as Hoggy trod over her own ‘flabby’ skin whilst walking. It was then decided that Hoggy could most certainly never be released into the wild.

Hedgehogs can cover up to many, many miles in one night searching for food, which would surely take its toll on Hoggy’s skin, making open cuts, grazes and possibly causing infection.

These days, Hoggy lives her life in captivity. From her indoor cage she was kept in over the winter period, she was moved out into a larger outdoor enclosure. Here, she is safe from predators, can be given much more space, can be given a more natural habitat to live in, and most importantly she can be closely monitored for her skin problem.

At the moment, it is quite unlikely that Hoggy will ever be released back into the wild.

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