Hedgehog droppings.

The normal faeces of a hedgehog are solid, oblong, dark brown in colour, not small balls and never liquid or like jelly.

If a hedgehog has been

rescued or is in therapy,

looking at its faeces can give

guidance on its state of health.

Seeing diarrhoea (liquid or semi-liquid stools) indicates intestinal parasites (hedgehog worm, coccidiosis, hedgehog leech), intoxication or intestinal infection. Often diarrhoea is accompanied by traces of blood.
If the stools are quite soft this can be due to incorrect nutrition. Sometimes hedgehog faeces have different colours due to the dyes used in the production of cat biscuits. A suitable diet should normalize the situation.
Jelly like stools is almost always a symptom of a parasite infection.
Green coloured stools may be due to the presence of parasites, but not always. During the digestive phase, the hedgehog produces a significant amount of bile which, if not used, is expelled causing the green colour.

Normal stools do not always mean that the hedgehog is completely healthy.

It is always necessary to proceed with tests and microscopic examination to make sure that the hedgehog does not have a disease.

Only a vet or experienced care centre can investigate and diagnose the health of a hedgehog and proceed with any therapies.

Always retrieve a hedgehog in difficulty with gloves and/or protection.

In Italy, only the relevant authorities may give the temporary custody permit for a hedgehog.