That was one lucky hog, Prosecco13, that you found it in time and got it to the vet. AND well done vet for saving the hog.
Although, of course, unlucky that it was strimmed in the first place. I have had two hogs with strimmer injuries here. The first one unfortunately had to be euthanased because the injury was so bad but another is currently at the local Wildlife Hospital where is has been for several weeks. The wound was deep and not suitable for stitching, but it has apparently now healed and just waiting for some spines to grow back. Then hopefully the hog can come back home. Amazing work by the Wildlife Hospital, when others may have thought the hog was past saving. Both hogs thankfully managed to make it to my garden. Even though one had to be euthanased, at least it didn’t die a long, slow, painful death. Needless to say, I don’t use strimmers.
Strimmers and other garden machinery can cause some horrendous injuries and death to hedgehogs. You may have read https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/forums/topic/euthanise-hog-without-cheek-and-eye/
So sad.
This is an extract from BHPS FAQs:
Help! I’ve harmed a hedgehog whilst strimming.
Undoubtedly one of the most worrying calls we receive. PLEASE check areas thoroughly before strimming or mowing. These injuries are usually horrific and the hedgehog often has to be put to sleep, of course many are killed instantly with this kind of accident. Do check for hoglets as the nest you have strimmed could be a nursery nest.
But there are things everyone can do to avoid such injuries. Here is a post, which I wrote in memory of the first hog I mentioned above, which includes some tips about keeping hogs safe in the garden:
https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/forums/topic/strimmers-etc/
Please everyone check any long grass, including edges of shorter grass, etc. before you strim. Hedgehogs natural defence is to roll up. Much better to have a cross hedgehog who has been gently prodded with a broom or stick than to have a dead or severely mutilated one. If you find a hog move it carefully to somewhere safely out of harms way and make sure it hasn’t come back to the area where you are working.
To my mind, this subject doesn’t get enough publicity, so thank you Prosecco13 for raising it again.
BHPS poster: https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/posters/Strimmers.pdf
A poster from Willows Hedgehog Rescue, who ran a strimmer campaign: https://chascreek.blogs.com/.a/6a00d83451ded069e201b8d1046a8c970c-popup
