On her walk home from work, Hollie Warren saw something peculiar on a chilly, rainy day. Warren wasn’t really sure what it was, but she felt she ought to assist.
She did just that, then.
According to Warren, “At first I had no idea what it was and started Googling ‘rodents in New Zealand’.”
The tiny creature, which resembled a wet, lumpy rock, was gathered into her hands while she was on her knees.
Warren remarked, “I realized she was a hedgehog when I saw she had some quills on her back.”
She didn’t really resemble a conventional hedgehog, though. It was clear that her health had suffered. Warren acted quickly to save the hedgehog’s life.
Warren stated, “I asked for a towel at a random house and they provided it to me so I could walk the rest of the way home. “When I got home, I called a rescue, but they were very busy and looking for foster families for other hoggies, so I offered to take care of her.”
Warren, who christened the hedgehog Nugget, was informed by the rescue that it had mange. The condition is brought on by small mites that worm into the skin and produce rashes, itching, and the loss of quills. The good news is that individuals like Nugget can recover fully with the right care.
Warren stated that another volunteer had administered a few injections for her mange. “Then it’s kitten food, water, and I constantly change her hot water bottle under her box to keep her warm to prevent her from trying to hibernate, and oil baths to promote quill growth.”
Nugget, who resembles a small avocado, enjoys taking oil baths because they soothe her rough, itchy skin.
Here you may see Nugget’s incredible transformation.
@hollieakala Watch her glow up with me 🤗 this is her 2 week transition and it’s absolutely amazing. Can’t wait to see her first lot of quills start to grow 😍 #hedgehogsoftiktok #hedgehog #nuggetthehog #hedgehogrescue #fyp ♬ Calm – Relaxing Music
Warren is able to give Nugget her undivided attention because she currently has no other pets. When all of her quills have grown back, the little but mighty hedgehog with the “cool” personality will be let go in the wild.
Even yet, Nugget’s brief stay in her foster mother’s life had a positive impact.
“She’s given me more of a sense of purpose, having to care for her,” Warren added. “Seeing her improve on a daily basis has made me realize how much of responsibility pets are, but also rewarding.”
