When Dog Meets Porcupine

Up here in northern Wisconsin, porcupines are fairly common. They roam the woods in search of food and, at times, other porcupines. Because of their rather extensive defensive mechanism (their quills), they have very few natural enemies. They waddle through their world seemingly without a care. They are really very peaceful, interesting creatures. If threatened they will chatter their teeth, release a pungent secretion, turn their back to the threat, raise their quills and swing their quill-laden tail (contrary to popular belief porky’s don’t shoot their quills). That’s when the veterinarian usually enters the picture.

Pulling quills out of dogs is not uncommon for dog owners and veterinarians in our part of the world. If a dog encounters a porky and his curiosity gets the better of him, a portion of the porcupine’s 30,000+ quills will end up on, in, under and through just about every surface of the dog’s face, mouth, throat, nose, ears; you get the idea.

Dogs being dogs will grab and shake the porky spreading the quills to the dog’s neck, shoulders, and flanks. These quills are barbed and as the dog’s body heat and moisture warm the quills, they expand and become embedded ever deeper in the dog’s tissues. If the quills are lodged in a vital area on the dog’s body, the back of the mouth and throat in particular, it can lead to the death of the dog. It’s amazing just how debilitating porcupine quills can be.

In almost all cases, dogs that have attacked a porcupine should be seen by a veterinarian because removing the quills usually requires sedation. It’s very important that as many quills as possible be removed from the dog to prevent further complications. Supportive care, including antibiotics, are typically administered. If there are only a few quills in your dog and he will tolerate it, you can grasp the quills with pliers and remove them.

Twice in my career I have pulled quills from the lips of a horse. Both horses required sedation before I could remove the quills. Keep a close eye on your dog (and horse) if you live in porcupine country!

Tagged as: Dogs, Pets, Porcupines

About the author: Dr. Scott McKay received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Michigan State University. He has worked with large and small animals in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Some of Dr. McKay's interests include educating clients on how to best care for their animals and the human-animal bond. He has a special interest in wildlife. Dr. McKay has been with Drs. Foster and Smith since 2007. He has worked with a wide variety of animals and enjoys the diversity of this profession. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association. See more articles by Dr. Scott McKay.