About Resident Hogs

Although the aim of the Hogspital is to return the hedgehogs to the wild, sometimes this is not possible. In some cases a lot of time, effort, love and money is spent before we have to finally give up and accept that the hedgehog will never cope in the wild. It would take a very hard heart to be able to terminate a life at this point so there are a few resident hedgehogs under the umbrella of the Hogspital, though they do not necessarily live on the premises.

HOGIE was about 5 weeks old when he came to me but had been looked after since around 2 weeks old by a Vet Nurse. He had probably been thrown out by Mum as he had several problems, which we have gradually ironed out but he does still have a balance problem. It could stem from his brain, ears or eyes but he leads a happy life at Milford Haven. He has his garden pen but is allowed the freedom of the garden each summer night for a few hours. He is very definitely a wild hedgehog, putting up with very little petting and remaining nocturnal. He also hibernates and this year he went to sleep in August so we did think the winter would be bad! (2011)

Laurie was an adult when he came in suffering from an extremely severe ear infection. He had no sense of balance at all and had been found on his back on a footpath. He spent a lot of time on his back, crying, and I had to hold him upright over his food dish. He refused to be fed and, as soon as he could point his nose into his dish, he refused to be helped at all. He laid on his side to feed. It took many months to rehabilitate him and many times I questioned whether it was kind to keep him alive. However, now he upright most of the time, if a little wonky. He climbs and digs to the degree that I would not be able to retain him here so he now lives with my foster carer at Pembroke Dock and he will be allowed to roam freely in the garden as it is walled. My camera seized as I tried to take a more up to date film but I do hope to be able to add some more.
UPDATE on Laurie 1/12/11 is that he lives freely in a large walled garden where he is constantly monitored, has 4 houses to choose from and food is always put out for him. He is still improving. I have not been able to take any more film of him as he is nocturnal and living a natural life. His recovery has been amazing and I am glad I persevered.

Shanie had hung all night by her leg that was caught in an old fireguard in a garden. Her elbow was dislocated, her front paw VERY swollen and there was nerve damage. It was very difficult to treat her as nerve damage takes so long and as she walked, she was skinning the elbow. It wasn't possible to plaster or bandage it. I kept her on cloth instead of paper but hedgehogs are very messy! Anyway, I decided it would be best if she hibernated so I moved her into the conservatory as soon as the sun lost its heat and she went to sleep very quicky. When she woke 6 months later, the leg had a lot more movement in it and I happened to be filming her when she put her fut flat for the first time. She is with my Pembroke Dock carer and this year she is moving out into the whole garden and will meet Laurie. If she appears agitated, she will go to the 6 acre garden at Mencap (Stackpole)