Hedgehog breathing oddly – advice needed

[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.

[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

[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.

[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

[Author]

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