{"id":3201,"date":"2019-07-24T16:04:21","date_gmt":"2019-07-24T20:04:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ovrs.com\/blog\/?p=3201"},"modified":"2022-03-21T15:24:19","modified_gmt":"2022-03-21T19:24:19","slug":"porcupines-and-pets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ovrs.com\/blog\/porcupines-and-pets\/","title":{"rendered":"A Prickly Problem: Porcupines and Pets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Porcupines and pets don\u2019t mix very well. Imagine you are enjoying the great outdoors with your dog. It\u2019s a beautiful day. All of a sudden, your dog yelps. A few moments later he wanders into view with quills sticking out of his face and chest. Ouch! What do you do? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The team at OVRS<\/a> hears many tales of dogs (sometimes even cats) who wandered a little too close to a porcupine. These quills bring trouble when not removed quickly. We are here to help you learn more about porcupines and their quills, and how you can avoid an emergency situation<\/a> with your pet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Porcupines and Pets: All About the Quill<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The North American porcupine has over 30,000 quills and about 700-800 barbs (a hook-like formation at the top of the quill). Porcupine quills are large, stiff hairs and are hollow, like a feather. The outside is coated with keratin, the same hard material in fingernails and scales, but they feel soft when laid back against the porcupine\u2019s body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quills are how porcupines protect themselves from animals they see as predators. Contrary to popular belief, porcupines don\u2019t throw their quills at their victims. They \u201cshed\u201d the quills and dislodge them when another animal comes too close. This is why it\u2019s common for curious canines to get quills stuck in their noses and face when they lean in to investigate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The barb at the top of a quill is designed to remain embedded. Its curved or anchored tip doesn\u2019t want to come out without a lot of struggle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Dangers of Embedded Porcupine Quills<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Porcupine quills cause pain, but an unremoved quill can cause serious problems<\/a>. Quills can gradually work their way into the body. A quill located on the chest can move inward toward the internal body and lungs. A quill on the face can make its way into the eye. Serious cases require surgical removal. Quills can also cause infection and abscess when embedded in the body too long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re inspecting your dog for quills, it\u2019s easy to miss some, especially if they are in areas that are hard to spot. Signs that quills are still there include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n