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[CLKD]

Feeding of hedgehogs is becoming a myth from what DH can find.  There is no Research reported on the web anywhere.  The story began on the back of one small 'hog that had been brought into rescue.  [Can't remember which Centre]. Somehow it was decided that this critter had suffered some kind of deformity by being fed dried meal worms.  But he can find nothing written up about this so I will be sending requests for more information from the various 'hog rescue centres around the UK.

He spent two hours last evening on the cool of our patio looking on the net at the various mineral differences between garden earth worm, dried and live meal worms as well as beetles.  Very little difference in constitution I think he called it.  We are both intrigued.

Watch this space. 

[CLKD]

Research papers on Ca:P - found something from 2016 - to be read later.

Himself has read most of the article [2014] but can't find any thing about the author. 

[CLKD]

Getting nowhere fast with this  .  All the so-called knowledgeable hedgehog sites keep quoting the same text but we can't find out any basis for 'reasearch'.  Lucy Kells a Vet Nurse apparently found lots of hedgehogs coming in with similar fractures .......... also there is an author of the article itself but we can't find out who he/she is ........

We are getting our teeth into this 

[CLKD]

Seems that the myth continues ?  on Hedgehog Street website ? which I have never been able to access.  I do wonder if they sell hedgehog food?

Why would cat biscuits be better than meal worms, not something that they would find in the wild.  Meal worms and earth worms have the same calorific value. 

We have been unable to find any other research to substantiate [? correct word ?] the initial article.  Nothing by any other Vets Practices, nor by any involved for years++ in successful hedgehog rescue.  Wondering whether any1 else has been able to find recent research regarding the apparently dangers of meal worms?

Having no obvious connection between the X-rays and that particular hedgehog raises doubts too.  R they even of a mammal?

[jaypo]

Found this on the prickles and paws site,don't know if you've read it but probably

We DO NOT recommend feeding dried meal worms to hedgehogs, they contain almost no nutritional value and can harm their health.

 The x-ray of the entire hedgehog shows the effects of feeding large quantities of mealworms, she had severe metabolic bone disease. She could not walk, only shuffle forwards. In her x-ray the bones are not bright white as they should be in a healthy hedgehog as shown in the second x-ray. This is because the calcium in her bones has been drawn out into her bloodstream to counter the low levels caused by the high levels of phosphate – a result of eating mainly meal worms.

[CLKD]

How do we know that this is the X-ray relevant to the hog in question?

How does the author know that this is the effect of feeding meal worms? 

DH cannot find out how this would happen: This is because the calcium in her bones has been drawn out into her bloodstream to counter the low levels caused by the high levels of phosphate – a result of eating mainly meal worms. : with garden worms being the same make up as meal worms ............  . 


It is unlikely 2 be due to meal worms: dried or live: which have the same calorific value etc. as a garden worm: we looked it up.  Which was incidentally, not mentioned in those results.

Those initial 'results' which continue on the internet as 'fact', were taken on 1 small hog which had not been hand reared, so there was absolutely no way that meal worms could have been proven causation.  Where was this hog from?  Hand reared ...... unless born and fed specifics until X-rays are taken, it is unlikely to be meal worms!  DH looked at a lot of scientific research, non substanatiated nor Peer Reviewed, even that from the Vet who supposedly raised this issue years ago.  No other Vet nor those in hog rescue have made any comment against feeding meal worms, even our local 'guy' in rescue.

My hogs are all healthy.  Why would kitten biscuits be any use, not something that a hog would get in the wild.  I do mix some biscuit and we can hear them crunching it, like they do worms. 

[jaypo]

I don't actually know ANYTHING about feeding hedgehogs I must admit but was intrigued by this,just thought I'd post it for you but can't answer your questions    I'm so helpful aren't I? 

[CLKD]

Usually you are helpful  - this time 

In the meantime, research continues !

[jaypo]

Charming!!! Stomps off teenager stylee 

[CLKD]

   better now 

[jaypo]

Yes,thanks mum 

[CLKD]

 

[CLKD]

I wonder how many hedgehogs are suffering from internal and external parasites which will hasten their demise  .  One of ours has ticks around the mouth and a few in between the spines. 

[CLKD]

The Myth continues:

Taz : It's the calcium phosphorus imbalance they cause which is the problem. I've taken many to wildlife rescue over the years. It is distressing to see.
how is it known that there is an 'imbalance' unless hogs are kept in captivity and input/out put tests etc. done  .  I can't leave out cat food as a) I don't know what's in it that might do harm and b) the local cats will queue up  or worse, rats 🐀 

Why don't birds suffer?  Ours eat a lot of live meal worms. 

[Taz2]

Birds do also suffer if the calcium/phosphorus balance is out. With hedgehogs it's the fact that many people have now been trying to help hedgehogs by feeding them and the balance can get upset if they are eating too many mealworms rather than foraging for a more varied diet. If they visit numerous gardens in a night and eat mealworms in each one then the balance becomes disturbed. That's my view on it anyway https://hamworthyhedgehogrescue.org.uk/metabolic-bone-disease/#:~:text=What%20is%20Metabolic%20Bone%20Disease,abnormalities%20and%20reduced%20nerve%20transmission.

Mine love Mr Johnson's hedgehog food. Expensive though.

Taz x