The porcupine

Porcupine memories - I remember it wasn't too long after we moved to the country that we greeted our dog one morning at the kitchen door with a face full of quills. We started our day with a trip to the vet!

About porcupines

These slow and lumbering animals can range from about 25 to 36 inches (630 to 910 mm) with an 8–10 inch (200–250 mm) tail. They weigh between 12 and 35 pounds (5.4–16 kg).

They occupy a wide range of habitats and are nocturnal animals. Herbivores, they particularly like to eat bark and stems. I've read that they've been known to chew on canoe paddles!

Porcupines have soft fur but their backs, sides, and tail also host sharp quills. These spines or quills are as sharp as needles and they're designed to protect them from predators. Apparently it works quite well!

Some interesting facts - porcupines grow new quills to replace the ones they lose in an attack. Contrary to popular belief, the porcupine doesn't "shoot" the quills - rather they detach very easily on contact and and will embed themselves in an attacker. Unlike needles the quills have microscopic, backwards-facing barbs on the tip that catch on the skin making them more difficult and painful to pull out.

Removing porcupine quills

Personally I'd recommend taking your pet to the vet to have them removed. There they can either give a local anesthetic or a sedative to make the removal more pleasant for everyone, especially your traumatized dog. Unfortunately the vet can't prescribe something to relax you too!

If there are a large number of quills or if there are some in the mouth, don't attempt to remove the quills yourself. Take your dog to the veterinarian. If there are only a few quills, you can try removal at home.

Tips for DIY quill removal

If you do want to try to remove quills yourself, here are some tips.

First, I've heard you should cut the ends off first to release the vacuum in the quill, but according veterinarian T. J. Dunn, Jr. DVM, "The quills do not have to be cut or clipped to let the air out. They are not under pressure from the hollow area within."

You will need pliers and something to cover the dog's eyes so it isn't terrified by the sight of the pliers approaching the source of his pain.

Again, according to Dr. Dunn, "Cover the dog's eyes with your hand if necessary, speak softly and don't act frantic or you will freak your dog out even worse! With the dog's eyes covered, bring the pliers up to a quill and grab the quill firmly and close to the skin. The dog will jerk backward and will separate himself from the quill."

Pull the quill out straight - twisting or turning can cause more pain and damage to the dog's tissues. If the quill breaks off, or if the quill is already broken, a vet may have to remove the quill while the animal is sedated.

After all the quills are removed, carefully clean the wounds with warm water and soap. Dry the area, and apply an antibacterial ointment. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation regarding the type of ointment to use - remember pets lick their wounds and any ointment you use must be safe for them to ingest. Keep an eye on the wounds for signs of infection until they have fully healed. Your vet may recommend that an antibiotic be used for a week or ten days to protect against infection.

What happens if the quills aren't removed?

If the quills are lodged in the tissues of an animal and not removed, the normal actions of the animal will cause the quill to move further into the tissues. Predators have been known to die as a result of quill penetration and infection.

Did you know?

Porcupines like salt. They are attracted to roads where salt is used to melt ice and have been known to chew on vehicle tires coated in road salt. You can put out a salt lick to help prevent them from becoming road kill.