SIR: Many hedgehogs arriving at the hospital are suffering from dehydration due to the warm spell of weather we are now having. A hedgehog out in the daytime is in trouble in some way. Hedgehogs don't sunbathe as many people believe, they are night-time creatures.

If you have hedgehog visitors to your garden, always provide fresh clean water in a shallow dish along with their favourite cat food. An upturned tomato box will stop the cats eating the food, when the saucer is placed underneath. Don't give them cows milk to drink.

In very hot weather, water should be provided throughout the daytime as well as night, to help any dehydrated hogs that might show during light hours.

Classic symptoms of dehydration, are wobbling or shaking when the hog tries to walk and loose sagging skin, along with semi closed eyes.

Please call us any time for advice and information. Free fact sheets are available when sending a sae to us.

Catherine Harrison

The Lancashire Hedgehog Hospital

56 Churchill Drive

Little Lever

Bolton BL3 1PG

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