Fussiness

I'm wondering if some of the problem hedgehogs are having is their fussiness.

Most of us have, or have had, 'hogs in who will only eat certain things - a wild animal being so fussy would cause problems, especially if the only thing they want is unavailable.

Just a thought.

I see what you mean, Trish. Hedgehogs can be very, very fussy eaters indeed. And like you said, if they refuse to eat because they are being fussy, they will drop weight. This will make them weaker, and means that they are more likely to get ill.
So your spot on.

Trish wrote:I'm wondering if some of the problem hedgehogs are having is their fussiness.

Most of us have, or have had, 'hogs in who will only eat certain things - a wild animal being so fussy would cause problems, especially if the only thing they want is unavailable.

Just a thought.

This is true, some are fussy eaters but we tend to find that ones that appear 'fussy' often have an underlying problem as most healthy hedgehogs, given a good quality food, will eat when they are hungry enough unless there is another problem.
A majority of the hogs we take in need either antibiotics, worming or both.

And I know all about fussy feeders, I have one now, after talking to wildliferescuer I have started to try and worm him and give him antibiotics, put some wormer on some cheese and he almost bit my fingers try to get at the cheese, as for the antibiotics, still he wont open his mouth so I put it on his teeth while upside down (him not me ) and slowly let it drip onto his teeth. hopeing some will get through, He his still very strong even though hes not had a good meal for 8 days now.

Trish wrote:Many of these posts need their own thread, so I'm going to split them - that way we can find this great information easier.

As for injecting - could a vet teach me, or would I have to go on a course?

Injecting can be taught by a vet, but it does rely on you having a good, understanding relationship with your vet. It took us a good many years to find a wildlife-minded vet who was willing to get involved.

All the weeks Edie has been here, all she has eaten is Asda cat food in gravy, and a little raw chicken. Anything else has been left.

Have has Scooby a week now (don't think I have posted about him yet, I will do) and prefers cat food in jelly.

Tonight, each has a little of the others mixed in with their favourite.

We'll see what happens. I have mixed things in with Edie's before and she has eaten round the new food!