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Public urged to look out for hedgehogs seen in daylight
“We frequently get calls from members of the public who have been watching a hedgehog that’s been lay still in their garden for days. By the time we get the call and the person gets the hedgehog to rescue, it’s often too late."

Charity issues plea to rescue struggling hedgehogs 

Hedgehog experts are urging people to watch out for hedgehogs seen in daylight, as they could be in urgent need of rescue.

As hedgehogs are nocturnal, they should not normally be seen in daylight, unless their nest has been disturbed and they are relocating, or if a mother is seeking a break from the nest.

However, experts at the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) said these hedgehogs will move quickly ‘with purpose’. Hedgehogs lying still or struggling to walk need urgent help.

Fay Vass, chief executive at the charity, said: “We frequently get calls from members of the public who have been watching a hedgehog that’s been lay still in their garden for days. By the time we get the call and the person gets the hedgehog to rescue, it’s often too late. 

“Hedgehogs don’t sunbathe! If you see a hedgehog lay still in the open, or with flies round it or if it’s struggling to walk properly, it is in urgent need of rescue.”

BHPS tips if you find a struggling hedgehog:

  • use gardening gloves or an old towel to collect the animal
  • place it inside a high-sided cardboard or plastic box with the towel or an old t-shirt in the bottom for it to hide under
  • bring the box indoors away from flies
  • if the hedgehog isn’t bleeding, provide a warm wrapped hot water bottle, but make sure there is room for the animal to move away if it gets too warm. Also make sure the bottle doesn’t go cold
  • offer meaty cat or dog food and water but don’t force feed it
  • call a local hedgehog rescue centre or the BHPS on 01584 890 801
  • if the hedgehog is a baby, it is likely their siblings will also need help, so check the nearby vicinity.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.