Every spring we have a few dogs that feel the need to check out the local wildlife. Most of these encountersare friendly, but sometimes our pets do not understand that some critters like to be left alone. Take for instance the porcupine , a peace loving herbivore rodent that likes to be left alone.

When these animals get harassed by our pets they can get their hackles up and use their quills for their defence. They can lash out with their tails and embed their quills deep in to their opponent. A porcupine quill is made out of the same material as our hair, but is much larger in diameter and has little scales on its tip that act as barbs. As a consequence, they are difficult to remove. Dogs usually get them all over their muzzle and in their mouth and tongue. Removing them generally has to be done under heavy sedation or anesthesia. Sometimes the tips of the quills break off and cannot be retrieved. In that case we have to wait until they work their way to the surface. In rare cases the quills can migrate significant distances through the tissue causing damage along the way.

The best peventative measure is to teach your dog to leave the local wildlife alone. If your dog does get "quilled" bring him in so we can remove the quills in a non-painful way..