1) In Sweden there’s an old pagan custom with big bonfires on April 30, called the Walpurgis Night.
Unfortunately, many hedgehogs have been hiding out in the stacks /piles of old trees and branches that will be lit during the night and many fatal accidents happen with hedgehogs.
Here’s a picture of a hedgehog that was badly burnt, but saved by a person from the fire. Wounds healed well, but new spikes didn’t grow up. The animal was released into a protected enclosure as it now didn’t have a complete defence from badgers and dogs.
2) Picture number 2, the balloon hedgehog. No reasons have been found for this condition but possibly damage to the respiratory system has allowed inspired air to escape and fill the subcutaneous cavity. Relief is provided by using a needle and syringe to release air and using antibiotics.
This is a quite common disease among hedgehogs. The animal in the picture was rehabilitated successfully and released.
Jennifer Marohasy BSc PhD is a critical thinker with expertise in the scientific method.
Note , the hedgehog with the balloon syndrome is so round that it can’t stand on its feets.
The hedgehog ” balloon syndrome” :
“Clinical signs:
Skin grossly inflated and stretched taut (the hedgehog may appear twice its normal size).
The belly may be touching, and dragging on, the ground.
The hedgehog’s legs may be unable to reach the ground.
(B151, D66, B259.w10, B284.6.w6, B337.3.w3)
Note: Localised subcutaneous emphysema may occur also. (B337.3.w3)
Further Information There may be air under the skin, possibly due to respiratory tract damage. (B151)
The condition may occur due to a wound sucking air under the skin. (B337.3.w3)
This may occur following trauma to the anterior mediastinum, for example after a road traffic accident, or rib fracture damaging the respiratory tract. (B284.6.w6)
Balloning could occur due to gas-producing infection in a deep wound. (D66, B259.w10, B284.6.w6) ”
I’ve never heard of baloon syndrome before, but we have a similar Hedgehog ‘fire’ problem in the UK on November 5th, which is Bonfire/Guy Fawkes night.
Aside from Hedgehogs being run over, or burned in fires, I remember I used to ecounter a hedgehog some nights when walking my dog. Then one morning I found it dead – by the look of it, I suspect a group of youths had used it as a football and kicked it to death. Sick!