LUNGWORM IN HEDGEHOGS

by John Chitty BVetMed CertZooMed MRCVS

One of the most common problems in hedgehogs at this time of year is lungworm Usually the hedgehog simply presents as being underweight and quiet. In severe cases, there are obvious signs of respiratory disease with noisy breathing, discharges and, sometimes, even bluing of the membranes of the mouth with extreme difficulty in breathing. Naturally, the outlook for these severe cases is very poor.

So, why do hedgehogs have so many problems with lungworm? There are several reasons:

1. Hedgehogs can contract two species of lungworm – Crenosoma striatum and Capillaria aerophila. Affected animals will frequently have both species present
2. These parasites are very well adapted to parasitizing the hedgehog. Both have two forms of life-cycle:
• Direct. This is where the adult worms in the lung produce eggs. The eggs are coughed up the trachea and are swallowed. Eggs are therefore shed in the faeces (in the case of Crenosoma they have already hatched into larvae by this stage – the disadvantage of this is that the larvae are more fragile than eggs in the environment; the advantage is that they are much more actively infectious). These eggs are ingested by another hedgehog (larvae actively migrate from gut to lung) starting the whole cycle again
• Indirect. Shed eggs and larvae are eaten by slugs and snails and the parasite forms an intermediate stage in them. The hedgehog eats these molluscs, the intermediate parasite stage hatches thus re-starting the life-cycle

However, there is a conundrum. It is not in the best interests of a well-adapted parasite to kill its host. So, what goes wrong? Basically, we see a lot of cases in Autumn because of the sheer number of hedgehogs and problems they have with food availability and weather.

Like so many diseases, the hedgehog’s immune system lives in a balance with the parasite. However, if weak and run down the parasite is no longer kept in check so disease results ie we must always focus on the whole animal – not just the single disease or parasite! So, what do we do?

1. Kill the parasite. Sounds easy! However, both parasites are quite resistant to many anti-parasitic drugs. The correct drug should always be used at the correct dose rate
2. When the parasite is killed it will still be in the lungs until removed by the body – this may take weeks. In this time the dead parasite can stimulate a huge inflammatory response. Therefore, anti-inflammatory drugs are needed
3. There is often a secondary pneumonia due to the reaction to the parasite. Antibiotics and bronchodilators (open the airways) are also used
4. Most importantly – support the whole hedgehog!! The hedgehog should be given the essentials of fluid, food and warmth. Any other diseases (parasitic, infectious, trauma, etc) should be identified and treated as well

This is a classic rehabilitators’ disease picture – very weak and run-down wildlife casualties are unable to fight off a parasitic infection that a healthy animal’s immune system would cope with. We, therefore, have a very difficult job on our hands – made worse by the severity of disease that is often present by the time the hedgehog is found

HART BECOMES SHOPPER'S PARADISE!
by Jane Rebut

After two weekends of decorating and stocking the new HART shop opened for business at 10 a.m. on Saturday, 2 February 2008. For those of you who know Alton, the shop is located in the Mall between the High Street and Bank Car Park – there will soon be a HART sign in the High Street directing customers to it.

The first day was a great success with takings in excess of £200 taken from selling books, bric-a-brac, clothes, videos, DVDs and other donated items.

It was great to see so many of the HART team turn up on the day to give their support for this exciting adventure. Special thanks to Paula Baker who gave a live interview with Alton’s Delta Radio at the opening ceremony and to Di Morrison who gave a recorded interview earlier in the week which was used in their local news bulletins throughout the day. The Alton Herald photographer also turned up for some photographs that will appear in the paper.

If any members of HART would like to help by working in the shop for a day or even a few hours this will be very welcome as we are a bit short on staff at the moment. If you can help please contact me on 07966 223838.

Lastly, I would like to thank Alison Keeble for finding the premises and working hard on the administration etc; Carl and Marcia Gulliford of Commercial and General Interiors who donated and fitted carpeting and most of the wall shelving; Sheila Pewsey for donating some other shop fittings; Gill and Mick Neeve of the Badger Group who worked very hard with us to decorate the shop and, of course, all other members and friends of HART who helped or donated things to sell.

I’m sure this shop will be a great revenue earner for HART and will eventually help toward the proposed hospital. Please come and support the shop – our wildlife needs us.

If you'd like to download Paula Baker's interview on Delta FM for the opening please click here (please be aware this is a large file)

CONQUERING THE ISLE OF WIGHT
by Carey Nelson

It was back in March this year that Janet Wigney suggested that we walk the entire coastal path of the Isle of Wight, some 63 miles, to raise money for HART.

As an ex-resident of the Island, and the partner of a Caulkhead (the name preferred by islanders), I jumped at the chance to discover parts of the island that I was unfamiliar with, and to reacquaint myself with those I loved and knew well.

After several months of planning, which naturally included the obligatory trip to the pub, we started our journey on the 2nd June at Ryde seafront. By the end of the day, we had taken in Culver Down, Sandown and Shanklin., and on reaching Luccombe Chine we had covered seventeen miles and were ready to get some well earned rest before our second and most challenging day of the walk.

Day two saw us set off from Luccombe Chine and onwards towards Ventnor and The Undercliff. It was sometimes hard to believe that we were in England due to the array of exotic flora and fauna which exists in this area as a result of the sub-tropical climate.

Then came the more challenging, but definitely the most spectacular part of the journey, which saw us walking south west Wight. The coast along this part is some of the most rugged and beautiful on the island. However, it is also eroding at an alarming rate, and at times we found ourselves walking on paths that were a little too coastal for comfort! Some had even disappeared completely since the map had been printed only five years ago.

Day three saw us continuing along the path towards Compton Bay and Freshwater. Up and until then we had enjoyed fantastic weather, but on the descent up to Tennyson Down, which is the highest point on the island, a sea harr reduced our vision to only a few metres. Luckily, Janet had remembered her compass, which enabled us to continue our walk without fear of going over the side of the cliff! The harr began to disappear, and we carried on towards Totland Bay, where we stopped to take a photo and take a short break. Whilst doing this, a cheeky poodle called Pepe decided to steal my water bottle, and made a break for it. After some careful negotiation, I was able to rescue my water bottle, and Janet and I continued towards Colwell Bay and Yarmouth, the stopping point for day three.

On day four, we set off from Yarmouth with the plan to finish at Cowes that evening. This part of the walk saw us travel through Newtown, which was once the ancient capital of the Island, and is now a marshland creek that houses a variety of birds, such as little egrets and oystercatchers. We continued towards Gurnard, although again found ourselves having to be resourceful, due to the loss of the path caused by a landslip. By the time I reached Cowes, I was barely hobbling along, and had a job to keep up with Janet, who put me to shame!

As planned, on day five we decided not to do the section of the walk from Cowes to Ryde, but instead walked the old railway line between Newport and West Cowes. The reason for this was that the last day would have meant virtually no views of the sea, and almost all road walking that was some distance inland , (the A3054 is also very busy and hazardous at points). However, whilst walking along the old railway line, we were lucky to see a fox, a jay, and even a red squirrel which we watched for sometime. Not bad, considering this is one of the most densely populated and developed parts of the island.

On arriving at West Cowes, it was hard to believe what we had achieved, and I was in shock at how bad my feet looked and felt! Janet and I agree that it was a fantastic experience, which was made more enjoyable by all the kind people we met along the way, and all those who generously sponsored and supported us, helping us to raise £300 for HART. Many thanks to you all- you know who you are!