Hedgehog has to be deflated after being diagnosed with balloon syndrome

A hedgehog had to be deflated after it swelled to the size of a football. The female creature had inflated to twice its normal size.

The hedgehog was so large that it was spotted by a passenger on a passing bus. The animal, discovered near Quedgeley, Gloucestershire, was taken to Wild Hogs Hedgehog Rescue where it was diagnosed with balloon syndrome.

This condition is unique to hedgehogs due to their ability to curl up, leaving a gap under their skin. Emily Harper, the manager, said: "The hedgehog was spotted by a man on the bus in a field. I deflated the hedgehog using a wide-gauge needle to release the trapped air."

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"She was given pain relief and antibiotics and taken to our vet, Wood Veterinary Group. They carried out an x-ray to check for any internal injuries and completed the deflation.

"She will remain in our care on antibiotics and pain relief for at least a week. Balloon syndrome is unique to hedgehogs. They have a gap between the skin and the muscular-skeletal structure of their body.

"If a wound occurs, then infection can get into the gap. The outside skin heals over and the infection is trapped inside, releasing gases which cause the hedgehog to balloon.

"This is extremely painful and is fatal if not treated. The hedgehog was struggling to walk when she came in and her skin was stretched tightly. Sometimes balloon syndrome can be caused by punctured lung or emphysema but these were ruled out on the x-ray."

Donations towards the care and treatment of the hedgehog can be made at www.wildhogshedgehogrescue.org.uk or https://www.facebook.com/Hodgehegs.