Spineless and unloved: Abandoned hedgehog will never find mate because she has no bristles

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Having a ball: Betty the hedgehog, who was abandoned by her family because she does not have any spikes


A rescued baby hedgehog will never be able to attract a mate because of a mystery skin condition which has left her completely bald and without spines.

Betty was abandoned by her family before she was found by a member of the public and handed in to staff at an animal rescue centre.

Animal experts are baffled by her mystery skin condition, which has caused the lonely hedgehog's skin to become dry and left her without any spines.


Unlucky in love: Betty is being snubbed by the male hedgehogs because of her skin condition


Six-week-old Betty is now so scared of other hedgehogs that staff at the animal sanctuary believe she will never find a mate.

However, she cannot be returned to the wild because her lack of spines means she would be unable to defend herself against predators such as badgers and foxes.

Tonia and John Garner, 47 and 52, who run Foxy Lodge rescue centre, near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, revealed Betty will endure a lonely life unless her spines return.

Mum-of-one Tonia said: 'She's healthy and everything is absolutely fine apart from she doesn't have any spines.


Helping hands: Betty is being cared for by Toni Garner at her rescue centre near Great Yarmouth


'It's very sad because she cannot protect herself. She rolls up in a little ball but because she doesn't have the spines she is easy meat for any predator.

'We won't let Betty be with alone with the males. She is very frightened of being near other hedgehogs and any offspring could have the same genetic condition.

'We keep her alone in an enclosure indoors and I mix almond oil and tea tree oil to put on her back sometimes because her skin can get very dry.

'We have to keep her out of the sun because she can burn up as her skin is very sensitive. We just hope the spines will return so she can have a normal life.'


source: dailymail

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Scrubbed up for Christmas: Spike, the orphaned hedgehog gets a festive make-over

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Bath time: Spike, an eight-week-old hedgehog has a wash at the Secret World Wildlife Rescue Centre


This is a baby hedgehog receiving a good old fashioned rub-a-dub after he was found wandering in a garden, unable to roll into a ball.

Named Spike, the tiny creature has to be scrubbed clean with a toothbrush because of his delicate skin.

Rescue staff have been treating the youngster to a frothy bath for three weeks after the distressed hedgehog was discovered during daylight.

He was unable to curl up in a defensive ball and concerned locals took him to a vet in Somerset

He was then transferred to the Secret World Wildlife Rescue Centre, in Highbridge.

Care manager Sarah Cowen, 44, said: 'He was having problems rolling into a ball because the skin on his belly was so sore.


Rub-a-dub: Staff have been treating Spike to a bath for three weeks after he was found wandering in a garden


'It's not uncommon for hedgehogs to get skin problems. Just like humans they can get rashes and eczema.

'We decided to treat him to a bath.'

Brushing his tummy with a toothbrush and behind the ears, staff have nursed him back to health.

They will carefully monitor his skin and his ability to curl into a ball to see how he improves.


Safe at last: Hedgehogs wandering in daylight are often distressed and Spike was unable to curl up


Secret World Wildlife Rescue is the only 24/7 wildlife rescue centre in the South West, annually caring for over 4000 sick, injured and orphaned animals.

The operation relies solely on donations to help its 623 staff rescue and rehabilitate sick or injured animals and return them to the wild in Britain.



Poser: Spike with care manager Sarah Cowen, 44. She said: 'He was having problems rolling into a ball because the skin on his belly was so sore.'

source: dailymail

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