US Politics

Vets at the charity 'Prickles in a Pickle' discovered Ollie the hedgehog had ringworm and a bacterial infection, which led to the loss of most of his prickles. As a result, the animal's skin had crusted over, causing bleeding around his mouth, and very few prickles remained.

Ringworm and other infections and parasites have not been killed off by the winter frost as would typically happen around this time of the year, attributed to warmer weather in the UK in recent months. Ollie has had a slow recovery and is not yet able to be released, despite now being able to eat independently.

Ollie's unusual appearance has garnered significant online attention, with millions of people commenting and comparing him to a jacket potato, an avocado, or a rolled-up sock. Judy Thomson, co-founder of Prickles in a Pickle, stated that the crust around Ollie's face was so severe he could not open his mouth to eat properly, causing pain and bleeding.

Similarly to human medicine, animals can develop resistance to veterinary treatments, prompting the charity to think creatively for Ollie's care. Since gaining viral fame, Ollie has become the 'poster hog' for the charity's fundraising campaign, with posts about him helping to raise nearly £5,000. The charity, run by Judy Thomson and her partner Alan Pook, costs between £65,000 and £70,000 annually to operate.

Seven years ago, Prickles in a Pickle cared for approximately 40 hedgehogs per year. The charity now handles over 1,000 hedgehogs annually, with up to 200 in residence at any given time. Thomson emphasized that hedgehogs without prickles require immediate assistance as they cannot protect themselves. She also highlighted the importance of protecting British wildlife and advised the public to contact local rescues if they are concerned about an animal's welfare. Hedgehogs are typically only seen during the day if they are unwell, with a mother building a nest being the primary exception.