Melanie Abell's European Adoption Story:

Melanie Abell’s European Hedgehog, Circe, at Hedgehog Friends of Denmark.

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June 14th, 2003

This little girl has been named Circe after the character in Homer's Odyssey. Amongst other things, Circe is a domestic character who feeds, clothes and heals, all characteristics of the rescue where this hedgehog now lives. She also has knowledge of medicinal roots and herbs. She also turned men into swine, but we all have our faults.

Here is her history:

She was spotted on a lawn running around and around in circles. Another rehabber lived pretty close on the place the hedgehog was found so she was brought there first. She went on running like crazy in circles and since this rehabber is quite new she felt it was a little more that she could deal with so she brought her to me.

Your girl was 716 grams when she arrived yesterday. She has cornea inflammation (is that the right word?) on both eyes and are blind...for now. I hope she got here in time for me to help her see again. She also has a wound at her left ear but that is not so serious and there is NO maggots there (yeah). I treat her with antibiotic in both eyes 3 times a day and she is getting antibiotics orally as well. Attached is pictures of her shortly after she arrived (where she was drinking 60 ml of chamomile tea...lol) She is a VERY mild girl with a gentle personalty.

A small update on your lovely girl. She is such a kind girl... so patient. She still is blind, though I thought her right eye is a tiny bit better today (or maybe I just hope so). The wound on her paw is giving some problems...it starts bleeding when she is running in her circles. I had her under my special lamp just now.... I figured she should be better than she really is. AND found a splinter stuck deep...from her left eye...to the end of her nose. I only spotted it because of a VERY tiny hole beside her eye. That also explains why she got cornea inflammation (she most likely hit some wood hard with her head)...but it also makes me fear she just might have a permanent damage on one or both cornea. :-( I will have to get that splinter out later this evening. :-(

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June 26th, 2003

Hi Melanie,

Circe now have one eye she can use, though as you can see on the pictures: It is still a bit "blurry". I doubt if she is going to gain sight on her right eye though...but I am not giving up on that yet :-) She is still on antibiotics and her weight is going up :-) Yesterday she was on 886 grams...so she is a biiiig girl. She is SO sweet and easy to handle. Such a gentle and soft personality. When I pick her up for her medication she starts making drinking sounds even before I have the syringe in her mouth...hehe. Attached are some pictures of her. I hope you enjoy them.

Warm thoughts,
Kis

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