World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
Rescued hedgehog Ollie recovers from infections that caused prickles to fall out
A Devon wildlife charity rescued Ollie after he was found with almost no prickles.
Vets at Prickles in a Pickle found he had ringworm and a bacterial infection, which caused most of them to fall out.
His skin became crusted, and sores around his mouth made eating painful and caused bleeding.
Ollie is recovering but cannot yet be released, though he can now eat by himself.
The charity says warmer recent weather in the UK has allowed infections and parasites to persist later into the year than usual.
Ollie's viral fame has raised nearly £5,000 for the charity, which cares for more than 1,000 hedgehogs a year.
The charity says a hedgehog seen out during the day may be unwell and advises people who are concerned to contact a local rescue.
Ollie, a hedgehog rescued by the charity Prickles in a Pickle, is recovering after ringworm and a bacterial infection caused most of his prickles to fall out.
The infections left his skin crusted and bleeding around his mouth, making it painful for him to eat.
He can now eat independently but is not yet ready to be released.
Ollie’s online popularity has helped raise nearly £5,000 for the charity.
The charity cares for more than 1,000 hedgehogs a year, compared with about 40 seven years ago.
- Who
- Ollie, a hedgehog, and the animal charity Prickles in a Pickle.
- What
- Ollie was rescued and is recovering from ringworm and a bacterial infection that caused most of his prickles to fall out.
- When
- Not stated.
- Where
- Prickles in a Pickle is based in Stoke Fleming, Devon. Where Ollie was found is not stated.
- Why
- The infections caused his prickles to fall out and left his skin crusted, with bleeding around his mouth.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Prickles in a Pickle cared for about 40 hedgehogs a year from its home in Stoke Fleming.
Vets at the charity found that Ollie had ringworm and a bacterial infection.
Ollie was able to eat independently but was still not ready to be released.
Ollie’s online fame helped the charity raise nearly £5,000.
- Rescue charity
- Prickles in a Pickle
- Base
- Stoke Fleming, Devon
- Ollie’s infections
- Ringworm and a bacterial infection
- Fundraising
- Nearly £5,000 raised
- Annual caseload
- More than 1,000 hedgehogs a year
What people are saying
The crust around his face was so severe that he couldn't open his mouth to eat properly. Every time he opened his mouth, he bled. So it was very painful for him.
If you find a prickle–less hedgehog, it really does need help because it can't protect itself.
Hedgehogs do not get seen out in the day unless they're poorly.