Hedgehogs’ spiky quills are their best-known feature. It looks like an amazing hairdo, but it actually serves a greater purpose.
Their quills are the defensive mechanism that keeps them safe from all the predators in nature.
So when the Animal Rescue League from Iowa was informed about a ‘naked’ hedgehog they immediately stepped in to help the little guy.
It turned out that the adorable hedgehog named Bug had a severe skin infection caused by mites!
These little things caused such irritation to his skin, that the poor thing lost all of his quills over time.
The veterinary team at ARL Iowa treated him for mites and the shelter staff immediately found him a proper foster home where he could recover.
For Bug to get better he needed a lot of care and attention. His foster mom applied antibiotic ointments to his skin every day.
In addition to that, he also had to receive medical baths at least twice a week! The good news was – he enjoyed his baths!
While he was playing around in his tiny swimming pool, his foster mom made sure he had all his favorite treats at the tip of his tiny hands!
It took quite some time, but Bug’s quills grew back! He was not naked anymore but covered in gorgeous spikes!
Since hedgehogs are not native to North America it was impossible to release this little guy, so this meant that he needed a forever home!
Luckily, a woman was following Bug’s journey and she was the one to take him in. Bug was going home to another hedgehog sibling, also adopted from Animal Rescue League!
Thanks to the love and support of the rescue organization and his foster mom, Bug was able to find a new home and become a happy little hedgehog!