lovers of teh fluff
stand by for this evening's post (probably around 8ish I reckon)...will contain much cuteness. Promise :)

For now, back to work
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Thu 24 Jul 2008, 17:18, 11 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

Is it as good as my little cats?
www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article4301354.ece
(Bicycle Repairman "you're also a bit of a wanker", Thu 24 Jul 2008, 17:26, Reply)

Ooooh! Teh fluff!
* Squeals like a little girl *

For reference - is not a little girl
( Fireflier La la la la, not listening on, Thu 24 Jul 2008, 17:33, Reply)

*perches on edge of seat*
*waits*

*checks watch*

*keeps waiting*
(Pavlov's Frog figures no-one really reads sigs anyway, Thu 24 Jul 2008, 17:54, Reply)

Awwwwwww!
Fluffeh tiem!
( Maladicta, Thu 24 Jul 2008, 19:13, Reply)

NRRRrrrrgggggh, phone is being rubbish yet again
so this was a bit of a mission...but I bring you...


HEDGEPIG

**Please note that he's injured as is reflected through the pictures, but when I left at 6 he was doing well and when I called at 7 he was wandering around snuffling for food, so will hopefully live til the morning**





















When he was first brought in to us in a cardboard box. Weight 120g, not moving around much and has a small cut on his head.


Wrapped up and surrounded by heatpads to keep him warm as he was very cold (trust me it's fucking hot in London, so he's obviously not right). Left in cage for an hour to destress as they can go into shock very easily.


He's given pain relief, anti biotics and a bolus of saline to help rehydrate him. During the op to see how bad the lesion on his head is we find a ton of baby maggots and maggot eggs, so begins the mammoth task of trying to flush them all out and clip the area surrounding the wound to keep it clean. Covered the wound with intrasite gel (made for granulation of wounds) but also useful for keeping any remaining maggots and other bugs out as you can't use cat or dog pest control stuff as it would kill him.


Recovering post op. Kept the theatre light on him to aid in warmth.


Post op once he's woken up properly I tested his curling reflex (fnarr hahaha) and he's able to scrunch up completely into a ball still.

A few hours later he went very limp, his breathing was more laboured and wasn't interested in food, so euthanasia was discussed. Luckily the decision was taken to give him a bit longer, let the heat pads cool down and not reheat them and see how he goes.

An hour before I left he stated perking up and was wandering round his cage for the first time all day, drinking from the water saucer and eating some AD (recovery diet) and cimicat (kitten forumla) from a teaspoon. We had been advised by a wildlife sanctuary (thanks for not answering the phone all day St Tiggywinkles!)to give him catfood and puppy formula, but didn't have any in stock, so tried the cimicat and hopefully it wont have done him too much damage. Another nurse will bring in puppy formula tomorrow and we'll feed that if he lasts the night.

More videos of him
smg.photobucket.com/albums/v345/beckyjsbx/vet%20animals/?action=view¤t=VIDEO_001.flv

smg.photobucket.com/albums/v345/beckyjsbx/vet%20animals/?action=view¤t=VIDEO_0021.flv

smg.photobucket.com/albums/v345/beckyjsbx/vet%20animals/?action=view¤t=VIDEO_003.flv

smg.photobucket.com/albums/v345/beckyjsbx/vet%20animals/?action=view¤t=VIDEO_005.flv
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Thu 24 Jul 2008, 20:54, Reply)

I've seen
adult ones in pet stores over here- extremely cute, but hardly cuddly and I would imagine not very good pets. They struck me as having less personality than a guinea pig- if that's possible.

I think you should name that one Bogbrush.
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Thu 24 Jul 2008, 21:40, Reply)

In pet stores?
They're wild animals ffs. Then again, first time I saw a pet shop in a shopping mall in the states with kittens and puppies outside and all manner of reptiles inside I was very tempted to kill the owners, but found out it's accepted in America. Fucking crazy.
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Thu 24 Jul 2008, 22:46, Reply)

Yes, in pet stores.
I personally consider the pet stores to be evil as hell- they'll sell any animal as long as it's legal, without regard to the welfare of the animal. I bought a kitten who was probably about four to six weeks old, and they claimed him to be eight weeks. He was visibly younger than that, and had some issues as a result of being separated from his mother too young.

My own preference is to get an animal from an individual where I can see the parent animal and know that they've been cared for properly. But nonetheless there are LOTS of puppy and kitten factories and places that sell "exotic" animals like hedgehogs.
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Fri 25 Jul 2008, 2:33, Reply)

**update**
Just phoned work and he's up and walking around and looking really chirpy, so hopefully he's going to make it.

*does a little happy dance*
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Fri 25 Jul 2008, 8:34, Reply)

Much as I hate linking to a Daily Mail story...
the ones that seem to be getting kept as pets are African Pygmy 'Hogs

And I can see why, as they are teh slightly spikey fluff.
( Fireflier La la la la, not listening on, Fri 25 Jul 2008, 9:01, Reply)

Awwww!
When I was a child, the family dog (Boxer) had a fascination with Hedeghogs, she'd come back in from the garden with one in her mouth, face hopping with fleas before releasing the spiny little scamp in the kitchen.
(Bicycle Repairman "you're also a bit of a wanker", Fri 25 Jul 2008, 9:03, Reply)