THE last few weeks have been busy ones for the hedgehog hospital.

The majority of admissions are dealt with by Carole, our emergency contact, who assesses them and gives them fluids and medication as necessary.

Those with more serious conditions are treated by our vet, and although some survive terrible injuries, many others do not. Our patients are noticed by people as they are seen out in the daytime — as nocturnal animals, this should indicate a problem.

However, although we are getting more and more calls from concerned people, the numbers we see are just the tip of the iceberg, and it is no wonder the overall population of hedgehogs is declining rapidly.

Many are found to be carrying internal parasites such as roundworm or lungworm.

Contrary to popular belief, slugs and snails are not the hedgehogs’ favourite foods and they act as an intermediate host to parasites, passing them on to anything that eats them. Dogs are also at risk if they pick up slugs or snails.

Hedgehogs’ primary diet is composed of worms, beetles and larvae, but when food is in short supply, they will eat whatever they can find.

This is why it is important to feed hedgehogs — if you are lucky enough to have them visiting your garden — just as we feed the birds.

A bowl of fresh water and some dry or meaty cat food (not fish flavour) will help to keep them strong.

Hoglets have been admitted from around the area, and those that have gained enough weight to survive independently are released.

From October onwards, hedgehogs will need to weigh at least 600g to survive hibernation, so if you come across one, please weigh it — underweight ones will need care.

To finance this work, the hospital relies on fundraising. See helpahedgehog.org.