Found a sick hedgehog in my garden, what should I do to help?

Hello there! This little rat does not look very good at all. Unfortunately, there are many different diseases that outdoor rats can have - some that are zoonotic (this means transmissable to humans and other animals, so be sure to wash well after handling him) - and without a complete workup by a vet, it's not likely that he's going to survive the next couple of days. Even if you do bring him to the vet, there might not be much that can be done for him at this point. He is thin, he has a hunched body posture (an indicator of pain and severe stress), and his sunken, squinted eyes indicate dehydration. The respiratory symptoms you mentioned are very common in wild rat species, and are usually fatal. I highly suggest that you contact a veterinarian and consider humane euthanasia for this guy. You could also try to call a wildlife rehabber, but only if you can get in touch with one that will take the rat immediately. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it looks like you've done everything you can at home. If you can't get him to the vet right away, keep him warm and quiet. His little container looks quite comfy, but he needs professional care. Thank you for taking him in, and good luck.

I would go ahead and take him to the vet. My concern is that if you wait a few days and it was toxic for him that it may be too late to save him. Your vet will be able to assess him and see if there is any internal damage. Take the product packaging with you if you can.

I’m sorry to hear about your hedgehog. There is a progressive neurologic disorder in these guys called “Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome”. I am suspicious that this may be the problem. However other issues such as brain tumor, trauma, etc could be the cause as well. I would try using a dropper to drop water into his mouth to keep him hydrated until you can get him to the exotic veterinarian. I do worry that this could be a life threatening situation and the earlier you have him seen the better. Best of luck and I hope he improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

Poor Sonic! He should be seen by a vet as soon as possible. Eye conditions, especially those involving the cornea can be extremely painful. They can also progress very quickly and even result in loss of the eye. Your vet can prescribe antibiotic drops, pain medication, and help any damage to the cornea heal quickly. In the meantime, you can carefully trim his nails to prevent any further trauma he may cause while scratching. I hope this helps and that Sonic gets better soon!

OMG, this kitty is very ill, it is not possible to say what she is suffering from without a hands-on exam. I suggest you offer her food and water, put her in a box with a towel and take her to a veterinarian ASAP. You can also call your local Animal Control or a shelter and they may pick up the cat from you. Here is a Pet Hospital near you that is open 24 hrs: http://www.daktari.gr.jp/tokyo.html http://www.daktari.gr.jp/en/index.html

Hello, I’m sorry to hear Hung May be having issues. I would recommend taking her to a veterinarian for a new pet exam just to be sure she is otherwise healthy and to establish a relationship with a local vet. In general, hedgehogs need a high protein diet since they are insectivores. Mazuri insectivore diet is a good option, but feeding insects like mealworms, roaches, etc is also enriching and a good food source for them. Some hedgehog owners feed high quality cat or kitten food, which is an acceptable alternative to an insectivore food. Avoid human table scraps as obesity is a common problem in hedgehogs. Also, make sure you keep the hedgehogs enclosure warm ~72-82F. Dental disease, mites, heart disease, and cancer are common diseases of hedgehogs you might want to be aware of.

It should like Comet is getting really sick. Hedgehogs can get bladder stones, urinary tract issues but also endocrine disease (issues with cortisol) and cancers. I would recommend taking Comet to a vet for a good physical exam and possible bloodwork and x-rays. IT is important to figure out the exact cause so proper treatment can be started. I hope Comet starts to feel better soon