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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: Sheilbh on March 22, 2009, 09:45:14 PM

Title: Spineless Hedgehog!
Post by: Sheilbh on March 22, 2009, 09:45:14 PM
Quote
Mystery condition leaves hedgehog with no spines
An animal hospital is appealing for help to fix a hedgehog with no spines.
By Anita Singh
Last Updated: 4:17PM GMT 16 Mar 2009

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Ftelegraph%2Fmultimedia%2Farchive%2F01367%2FHedgehoG_1367120c.jpg&hash=037773843faa9e8a9997ce345ec273c7fb310bbd)
Spud the hedgehog: Mystery condition leaves hedgehog with no spines
Spud the hedgehog Photo: JEFF MOORE

Spud was found wandering in a garden and taken to Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital in Aylesbury, Bucks, last August. Experts are baffled by his condition, which has caused his skin to dry and his spines to fall out. The hospital is asking practitioners of alternative medicine to suggest possible remedies.

The bald animal was christened Spud by hospital staff because, when curled up into a ball, he resembles a potato. He cannot be released back into the wild because hedgehogs are defenceless without their spines and he has no insulation against the cold. Every day, he has a warm bath and a massage with baby oil to keep his skin soft.

Les Stocker, founder of Tiggywinkles, said: "He's part of the family here and very much a character, but we would love to help his condition and release him. When he was brought in he seemed pretty cheesed off with life, but now he's a normal hedgehog in everything but appearance. I don't think he realises he hasn't got any spines."

Spud is one of more than 500 hedgehogs currently receiving treatment at the animal hospital, which also cares for badgers, foxes and injured birds.
Title: Re: Spineless Hedgehog!
Post by: FunkMonk on March 22, 2009, 10:02:00 PM
Little guy.  :(
Title: Re: Spineless Hedgehog!
Post by: jimmy olsen on March 22, 2009, 10:31:10 PM
At least he's getting good treatment.
Title: Re: Spineless Hedgehog!
Post by: saskganesh on March 22, 2009, 11:03:56 PM
 :(

...Mineral deficiency?
Title: Re: Spineless Hedgehog!
Post by: Queequeg on March 23, 2009, 12:04:24 AM
At first I thought this meant spineless as in a lack of a spine, rather than spinyness.  Then I realized that it would be pretty hard to be born, let alone survive for any amount of time, without a spine.  I am fucking sleepy.
Title: Re: Spineless Hedgehog!
Post by: Brazen on March 23, 2009, 02:57:43 AM
That'll make it easier to cook.
Title: Re: Spineless Hedgehog!
Post by: BVN on March 23, 2009, 04:05:35 AM
Quote from: Queequeg on March 23, 2009, 12:04:24 AM
At first I thought this meant spineless as in a lack of a spine, rather than spinyness.  Then I realized that it would be pretty hard to be born, let alone survive for any amount of time, without a spine.  I am fucking sleepy.
Well, I must admit I made the same mistake if it makes you feel better...
Title: Re: Spineless Hedgehog!
Post by: Grey Fox on March 23, 2009, 06:35:04 AM
Isn't that the same problem then that bark-guy in Indonesia?
Title: Re: Spineless Hedgehog!
Post by: Martinus on March 23, 2009, 06:50:24 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on March 23, 2009, 06:35:04 AM
Isn't that the same problem then that bark-guy in Indonesia?
He is a hedgehog whose spines fell off?  :o
Title: Re: Spineless Hedgehog!
Post by: FunkMonk on March 23, 2009, 07:06:06 AM
Quote from: Brazen on March 23, 2009, 02:57:43 AM
That'll make it easier to cook.
:D
Title: Re: Spineless Hedgehog!
Post by: grumbler on March 23, 2009, 08:11:44 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on March 23, 2009, 06:35:04 AM
Isn't that the same problem then that bark-guy in Indonesia?
Is "bark-guy" the anthromorphic name for a dog?
Title: Re: Spineless Hedgehog!
Post by: Ed Anger on March 23, 2009, 08:58:18 AM
I guess he didn't collect enough rings.
Title: Re: Spineless Hedgehog!
Post by: Malthus on March 23, 2009, 09:00:08 AM
Maybe it's genetic. They could breed them and make them into pets.  ;)
Title: Re: Spineless Hedgehog!
Post by: Neil on March 23, 2009, 09:05:02 AM
We call those 'quills'.  When I opened the thread, I was expecting a hedgehog with no backbone.

And seeking advice from practitioners of alternative medicine is a terrible idea.  I doubt that rubbing the hedgehog with 'power crystals' is going to have much of an effect, nor will having it eat a tiger's penis.
Title: Re: Spineless Hedgehog!
Post by: Malthus on March 23, 2009, 09:09:03 AM
Wait a second ...

QuoteTiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital

http://www.amazon.ca/06-Tale-Mrs-Tiggy-Winkle/dp/0723234655

I smell ... hoax.  :D
Title: Re: Spineless Hedgehog!
Post by: Grey Fox on March 23, 2009, 09:18:16 AM
Quote from: grumbler on March 23, 2009, 08:11:44 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on March 23, 2009, 06:35:04 AM
Isn't that the same problem then that bark-guy in Indonesia?
Is "bark-guy" the anthromorphic name for a dog?

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd.yimg.com%2Fbg%2Fp%2F090212%2Fafp%2Fiphoto_1234442102145-1-0jpg.jpg&hash=31705fd592815bcae7f361450a1faa404f5bd1f2)
Title: Re: Spineless Hedgehog!
Post by: Sheilbh on March 23, 2009, 11:49:51 AM
Quote from: Malthus on March 23, 2009, 09:09:03 AM
Wait a second ...

QuoteTiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital

http://www.amazon.ca/06-Tale-Mrs-Tiggy-Winkle/dp/0723234655

I smell ... hoax.  :D

Nope.  Tigglywinkles Hospital is a British institution, named after that character :)
http://www.sttiggywinkles.org.uk/
Title: Re: Spineless Hedgehog!
Post by: Malthus on March 23, 2009, 01:09:41 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 23, 2009, 11:49:51 AM
Quote from: Malthus on March 23, 2009, 09:09:03 AM
Wait a second ...

QuoteTiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital

http://www.amazon.ca/06-Tale-Mrs-Tiggy-Winkle/dp/0723234655

I smell ... hoax.  :D

Nope.  Tigglywinkles Hospital is a British institution, named after that character :)
http://www.sttiggywinkles.org.uk/

Oh man - the British are a strange lot.  :D
Title: Re: Spineless Hedgehog!
Post by: Lucidor on March 23, 2009, 02:47:59 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on March 23, 2009, 09:18:16 AM
Quote from: grumbler on March 23, 2009, 08:11:44 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on March 23, 2009, 06:35:04 AM
Isn't that the same problem then that bark-guy in Indonesia?
Is "bark-guy" the anthromorphic name for a dog?

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd.yimg.com%2Fbg%2Fp%2F090212%2Fafp%2Fiphoto_1234442102145-1-0jpg.jpg&hash=31705fd592815bcae7f361450a1faa404f5bd1f2)
You know, he sort of looks like a werewolf with his big paws.