Hedgehog breathing oddly – advice needed

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• 28th March 2025 at 9:11 pm #48269
  
  Erinacea

  Hello, everyone,

  For the past few weeks, there’s been a hedgehog living in my garden (or rather, returning every morning to a pile of leaves in my garden). I’ve been watching it on a trail cam. Today, I transferred the footage to my computer, and was able to listen to the audio. I noticed that I could hear the hedgehog breathing. Its breathing is very fast, and sounds a little wheezy. It is breathing this way every time it passes the camera: at 7:30pm, when it wakes up, and at 5am, when it returns to the pile of leaves. I know that usually the best thing to do with wildlife is to leave it well alone, but I’m quite concerned. I compared the footage to footage I have of hedgehogs last year, and I can’t hear their breathing at all. Should I contact a rescue centre? Will they be able to do anything for the hedgehog? Other than the breathing, it seems perfectly fine.

  28th March 2025 at 10:44 pm #48270
  
  Erinacea

  I’ve uploaded videos capturing the breathing (and some odd noises the hedgehog makes as s/he emerges from his/her leaf pile) to YouTube:

  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2o09nu6FzeW1S6tmUzJzOl49A5ZC-mau

  28th March 2025 at 11:15 pm #48271
  
  Nic

  Hi Erinacea

  I wasn’t able to see your video, but from your description you need to contact a ‘rescue’, who hopefully will be able to help the hedgehog.

  You can get details of a ‘rescue’ near you by ringing BHPS on 01584 890801

  Good luck. Let us know how the hog gets on.

  31st March 2025 at 7:11 am #48283
  
  stef

  Hi Erinacea
  I can’t see your video either. From your description it’s possible it has lungworm or pneumonia or both. Both can be treated by your local rescue and the hog returned to you afterwards.
  Please catch it and contact them for further advice
  Let us know how you progress

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