A hedgehog found in Gloucestershire experienced a rare condition causing it to inflate to an abnormal size. The condition, known as balloon syndrome, was treated at Wild Hogs Hedgehog Rescue.
A hedgehog in Gloucestershire suffered from a rare condition known as balloon syndrome that caused it to swell to the size of a football. The female hedgehog was found in a field near Quedgeley and taken to Wild Hogs Hedgehog Rescue. The condition, unique to hedgehogs, occurs when air becomes trapped under the skin, causing significant inflation. Observations suggest the hedgehog doubled in size due to this ailment.
Emily Harper, the manager at Wild Hogs Hedgehog Rescue, detailed that balloon syndrome is facilitated by the hedgehog’s ability to curl up, which can create gaps under the skin where air gets trapped. The hedgehog, named Bounce by the rescuers, underwent a procedure where a wide-gauge needle was used to release the trapped air, and she was also provided with antibiotics and pain relief. Following the initial treatment, Bounce is under the care of Wood Veterinary Group for further recovery and monitoring.
This case is among the rare occurrences of balloon syndrome, with the rescue center, which handles over 500 hedgehogs annually, typically encountering just one case of this condition per year. The public can contribute to Bounce’s care through donations to Wild Hogs Hedgehog Rescue via their website or Facebook page. The case highlights the unique medical challenges hedgehogs can face and the dedicated rescue efforts required to manage such conditions.
