Shropshire Hedgehogs

Hibernation

Should your hedgehog attempt to go into hibernation, you will find him or her rolled into a very tight ball. Place your hedgehog next to your skin for body heat to warm up whilst you prepare sources of heat to provide your hedgehog with ASAP. When your hedgehog has unrolled, his or her underbelly will be very cold, and (s)he will be moving very little, and will be wobbly on his or her feet. Wrap your hedgehog up in a warm blanket and sit him or her safely next to a radiator or similar and have yourself or someone else keep an eye on him or her. Place a blanket-wrapped hot water bottle or heat disk in his or her cage, and heat the room with a boost from central heating or a portable radiator. If your hedgehog does not unroll within half an hour you should make an emergency visit to the vet. You should prepare in advance for such an incident and not being able to supply at least one of the heating devices mentioned here, or similar, or a vet that will handle your hedgehog, is unacceptable.

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