Guernsey Hedgehog Rescue Centre | Hedgehog Stories: Lola and Charlie (as told by Julie Crowson)

HEDGEHOG STORIES: LOLA AND CHARLIE

(as told by Julie Crowson)

At the beginning of January I had seen two hedgehogs in my garden and my husband suggested that I contact Dawn at the Rescue Centre as he said that hedgehogs should not be out at this time of year and that they didn’t appear to be well. This I did and duly after catching them, took them to Dawn who diagnosed Mange.

After being given excellent care and treatment I was asked if I could foster them, it didn’t take much persuasion and after clearing out my garden shed I took the hedgehogs, who had now been named Charlie and Lola by my children, home.

At the time Lola was the smaller hog, Charlie the bigger, but it was soon clear that although Lola was putting on vast amounts of weight Charlie wasn’t doing so well.

So this is Charlie’s story so far:

Charlie was eating well but not gaining very much weight so Dawn suggested that I take Charlie back to her and she would check for worms. Charlie was treated and I took her home, but still she didn’t seem to be right, I just couldn’t put my finger on it but I knew she wasn’t well.

Things came to a head Dawn was on holiday, Charlie had developed a swelling under her right eye that seemed to be weeping so I telephoned Shirley at the centre who suggested that I contact Sarah Baird from Isabelle Vets. I did this and after some discussion we decided to give Charlie antibiotics and arranged an appointment to see Sarah.

I took Charlie to the vets and after a whiff of anaesthetic gas Sarah managed to have a good look and thought it may either be a broken cheekbone or an abscess in the tooth, we decided to carry on with the antibiotics.

Charlie seemed to improve a little but it was my turn to go on holiday now so Dawn holidayed Lola and Charlie for me. On my return Dawn advised me that the swelling had returned and that she had spoken to Sarah who suggested that Charlie return to the vets who would take a closer look under anaesthetic.

After a nerve-racking wait Sarah called to say that they had found an abscess in the root of one of Charlie’s teeth so they had removed the tooth and two others, which had also been infected.

Fostering the hogs has been a great experience, my neighbours and family have been fantastic often I come home to find sacks full of shredded paper and newspaper by my front door. It has been a real pleasure to be able to think that perhaps I’ve helped two adorable hogs to survive the winter.

Julie Crowson

If you would like to foster a hedgehog please contact the centre.
We are always looking for new foster carers.

(added 07/08/06)

Back to: Hedgehog Stories (2006)