Hedgehog HosprickalPosted by Stephen Fri, June 26, 2009 10:09:37--- more sleelpless nights
Another 3 babies admitted last night; they were found next to their dead mother in the nest. These were bigger, and are weaned but still in need of their mother. They have been crying out for her during the night.
Joan is still feeding all four from Wednesday through the night. All are still alive and feeding which is wonderful. It is all down to the way that Joan is prepared to sacrifice sleep to help them. Two feeds in the night for the last two days.
Steve
Hedgehog HosprickalPosted by Stephen Thu, June 25, 2009 12:26:29The rush of baby hoglets has started. We have only been back from holiday for two days and we have admitted 5 babies.
One came on Tuesday from Four Oaks. A lady saw him and some others in her garden. She was worried and rang us. We told her to collect the hoglets and we would pick them up. Unfortunately, when she went back, al but one of the babies had disappeared. Al least these babies had left their mother, and were capable of feeding alone. We asked the lady to put out food and water to help the hedgehogs, and to call us if she found any more.
The lesson is: If you see a hedgehog that you are worried about, catch it first before calling us. Put it in a high sided box, or a bucket, or even the bath.
Last night we were called out to pick up 4 very young hoglets, whose nest had been disturbed. We went out around 10pm. The babies are no more than 1 day old, still blind, and very hungry. Joan fet them three times during the night, and again at seven am. All are still alive, and all stand a fair chance of surviving now.
We have had more than 70 hogs so far this year, well up on last year; so it looks as though 2009 will be another record breaking year.
Hedgehog HosprickalPosted by Stephen Mon, May 11, 2009 13:31:02We admitted a small hedgehog yesterday from Coseley. One side of his bristles was completely gunged up with blue paint.
Joan has soaked the paint with nail varnish remover to soften it, and then cut of bristles to remove as much of the damaged pelt as possible. She has given the little hog glucose and homeopathic treatments, which he has taken. Only time will tell if there are aby side effects.
We cant imagine how this could happen accientally, but there is no proof available either way.
Why is the post called Picasso? I decided to call him that, because, like the painter, out Picasso seems to be in the middle of his
Blue period 
With his short blue spikes he is more of a punk than Picasso!
Watch this space for more about Picasso
Steve
Hedgehog HosprickalPosted by Stephen Mon, May 11, 2009 13:10:52I've just created the figures for March and April to send to the Mammal Society. We admitted a total of 21 in the two months. In comparison we only saw 2 in April last year.
Already in May we have seend 11 hedgehogs, close to the total for May last year. At this rate we will be looking at 450 + this year.
Steve
Hedgehog HosprickalPosted by Stephen Tue, April 07, 2009 09:56:08We have been chosen by Pets at Home to receive a donation from their charity trust. This substantial donation is towards the building of a second Hosprickal ward. It takes us a lot closer to achieving our target.
Some people have said that Joan takes on too much, and a second ward would be unmanagable. We see it a little differently. We would use the second ward for animals needing treatment and leave the first for health animals that only need feeding up. Joan would be able to concentrate on the sick hedgehogs, and we hope to get a rota of volunteers to help with feeding and cleaning the other hedgehogs. We have had several people ask last year, but with 1 ward it is not practicable.
Seven animals admitted in march making a total of nineteen so far this year. We are well ahead of last years numbers already
Steve and Joan
Hedgehog HosprickalPosted by Stephen Tue, March 10, 2009 13:43:58we have seen 13 hedgehogs. Last year we only saw 4 in the same time.
Most of the ones we have seen are quite large ones that may have been disturbed from hibernation. We have also seen two or three that are poorly.
We have ten or eleven hedgehogs in the Hosprickal, most of which are hibernating or convalescing.
Thanks to everyone who has donated food, blankets, papers and cash. We are building up a store in advance of the spring and summer when we will use mose of it up
All the best
Steve and Joan
Hedgehog HosprickalPosted by Stephen Tue, February 03, 2009 15:46:39... for anyone who missed it previously, the Wild in Your Garden show is being repeated on BBC TV at 6:15 on Sunday. This is a revised, longer version of the show. The BBC producer tells us that there is more infomation about the hedgehogs in it this time.
Don't say we didn't warn you.....
Steve and Joan
Hedgehog HosprickalPosted by Stephen Tue, January 27, 2009 17:06:19Thanls to everyone who has been sending in donations. Some of you don't put in a name and address. Its a pity, because you would have got a thank you card from Joan and the Hedhehogs.
Anyway, Thank You Very Much to everyone who has donated us anything this month. Everything is welcomed.
Steve and Joan
