I just moved to a rural area. What should I know about the risks associated with porcupines and their quills for my dog?
Porcupines are the third-largest rodent and live in many rural areas of North America. They weigh between 15 and 35 pounds. They are herbivores (plant-eaters), slow-moving, and have poor eyesight, although they have a great sense of smell. Because they are nocturnal, they mostly feed at night. They are not aggressive, but they will defend themselves, their offspring, and their dens, if needed.
Quills are modified hairs and are covered with scales that act like fishhook barbs, causing the quills to keep moving inward, deeper into the tissue. Porcupine quills can puncture the skin and move through muscle, ultimately penetrating body cavities and internal organs. Because the quills carry bacteria with them, once they penetrate the skin they can act as a source of infection and cause abscesses.
I have heard that porcupines can throw or shoot their quills to defend themselves. Is this true?
Porcupines cannot shoot their quills at an assailant. That said, the quills are easily pulled from the porcupine’s skin once they make contact with an attacker. Porcupines will also use their quill-filled tail like a club, swinging it at a potential threat.
Will porcupine quills eventually work their way out of the skin if nothing is done to remove them?
No, the tiny barbs on the shaft of porcupine quills cause them to move inward, deeper into the tissues, rather than working themselves out. The quills open the door for infection, and the deeper the quills penetrate, the more serious the infection can be. Dogs can end up with abscesses over much of the body, making treatment much more complicated and increasing the risk of a potentially fatal, body-wide infection.
Should I cut the quills to make them easier to remove?
It is a misconception that cutting embedded porcupine quills will “deflate” them, making them easier to remove. Cutting the shaft makes the quill splinter more easily, which ultimately makes it harder to remove. It may also allow for segments of quills to become lodged in the tissues.
Can I remove the porcupine quills from my dog myself, if needed?
No, it is extremely painful for the dog to have porcupine quills removed without sedation or anesthesia, and potent pain relief. Attempting to remove the quills can result in a struggle, which can push the quills deeper, and a dog may lash out and bite, without meaning to hurt you.
What should I do if my dogs get quilled?
Minimize your dog’s movements and prevent him from rubbing his face if there are quills there. Rubbing may drive quills deeper, making them more difficult or impossible to remove. Get to a veterinarian as quickly as possible. Dogs need deep sedation or general anesthesia to have porcupine quills removed safely. Your veterinarian will remove as many quills as possible, but it is important to understand that they may not be able to remove all of them. Any quills that cannot be removed will be monitored for migration and potential complications.
What are some potential complications if my dog is quilled by a porcupine?
The most serious potential complication of porcupine quills is infection deep in the tissues. Migrating quills can also embed in joints, poke into the eye, or even penetrate the brain or other organs, creating a life-threatening health crisis.
If a dog gets a mouthful of porcupine quills, will they learn to leave porcupines alone?
Unfortunately, most dogs who get into trouble with porcupines do not learn from their mistakes. The best defense against porcupine quills is prevention. Avoid allowing the dogs to roam at dusk or after dark and prevent them from going into areas with known porcupine dens.
