UK hedgehogs face several significant disease challenges including lung worm, ring worm, salmonella and tick burdens that affect welfare particularly in weakened individuals.
Hedgehog disease burden is significant and welfare impacts include respiratory distress from lungworm, skin irritation from mange mites and fungal disease, and debilitation from heavy tick infestations. Diseased hedgehogs brought into rescue require specialist treatment and care. Antiparasitic treatment of rescued hedgehogs before release improves survival rates. The welfare of hedgehogs in rescue centres depends on accurate diagnosis and appropriate species-specific treatment.