Wildlife Information Network logo

Veterinary Guidance for Hedgehog Treatment

PRESS RELEASE

20 December, 2004

It is a little known fact that hedgehogs are the most frequently presented wildlife mammalian to veterinary practices throughout the UK. Sadly, increasing traffic volumes mean that many of these charismatic little creatures are injured on our roads or taken to vets or animal clinics suffering from a range of ailments.

To meet the needs of rehabilitators, vets, veterinary nurses and others in caring for casualty hedgehogs, The Wildlife Information Network - the charity dedicated to making information on the health and management of captive and free-ranging wild animals and emerging infectious diseases available to wildlife professionals and decision-makers worldwide - has just released a new volume of their electronic encyclopaedia on "Hedgehogs: Health and Management", available over the Internet and on CD-ROM.

Sponsored by the three societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals - the RSPCA, SSPCA and ISPCA, it is the most comprehensive overview of hedgehog lifestyle, ailments, treatment and release ever published.

Natural History information on the West European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) includes appearance, life stages, physiology, natural diet, behaviour, habitat, geographical range and conservation. The Garden Management section makes many suggestions on how to make gardens more welcoming and safer for hedgehogs.

Hand-rearing covers housing, hygiene, feeding, weaning and potential problems of hoglets, while the Catching and Handling section describes basic handling and how to encourage hedgehogs to unroll for examination.

Feeding information looks at convalescent, short-term and longer term diets. The Accommodation section considers transport containers, housing for casualties and longer-term requirements, leading to pages on Overwintering Under-weight Juveniles and Permanent Care for animals which cannot be released. The Release section discusses pre-release assessment, timing, suitable release sites, types of release and post-release monitoring. This is supported by a section on Marking and Tracking.

The Diseases section lists all known diseases of the hedgehog categorised in several ways (common diseases, zoonoses, respiratory diseases etc.) to help in diagnosis. Physical Examination and Necropsy sections also assist diagnosis. Veterinary techniques include Fluid Therapy, Wound Management, Fracture Management, General Anaesthesia and Injection techniques. The Drug Data section suggests dose rates and provides other data on many medicines commonly used in hedgehogs.

The volume is supported by an organisation Directory and an Electronic Library of full-text documents, together with suggestions for further reading.

Ends:

Issued by Wildlife Information Network, East Midland Zoological Society, Twycross

For further information please contact:

Iain Boardman: +44 (0) 1827 88 11 22

NOTES TO EDITORS

  1. The Wildlife Information Network (WIN) was set up 12 years ago by Yorkshire-born Suzanne Boardman, then a veterinarian at London Zoo who was receiving requests for information and technical support from all corners of the world. The information existed, but was fragmented and, in emerging countries, very difficult to obtain. WIN was inaugurated as a paper network of newsletters and collated information. It became a registered charity (No. 1048059) in 1995. Suzanne Boardman is now the Director of Twycross Zoo - East Midland Zoological Society.
  2. Wildpro© Multimedia is an Electronic Encyclopaedia and Library providing information on re-emerging infectious diseases and the health and management of captive and free-ranging wild animals. It is a living document, with new information being added constantly through the development of new modules. It is researched, developed and published by WIN to provide information to decision-makers world-wide, and users include wildlife managers, researchers, government officials, veterinarians, field biologists, zoologists, laboratory diagnosticians, zoological collections, conservation and welfare organisations, universities, and students of a wide variety of disciplines. Information is made available on the Internet and by CD-ROMs.
  3. WIN CD-ROMS currently available are:
    • Waterfowl: Health and Management
    • Wildlife: First Aid and Care
    • Managing for Foot-and-Mouth Disease
    • West Nile Virus
    • Wildlife: Disease Investigation and Management (Birds)
    • Chronic Wasting Disease in Deer and Elk
    • Hedgehogs: Health and Management

Hedgehogs: Health and Management is available now for editorial review.