A Saint Bernard in New York learned the hard way that you shouldn’t mess around with porcupines.
Ruckus the dog attacked a porcupine and received a face and mouth full of quills. Although he made a full recovery, he now knows on that porcupines aren’t to be tangled with. That may be optimistic, though. His former owners said he has started fights with the prickly creatures in the past.
Ruckus is back to normal, but he learned a hard lesson.
Ruckus underwent treatment at Lollypop Farm, a local shelter, to remove dozens of quills. Most were in his muzzle and nose, but many were also embedded deep into his tongue and the roof of his mouth.
When it comes to porcupines, dogs don’t always know what they’re getting into.
Unfortunately, porcupine fights against dogs are not exactly uncommon. Many canines tangle with them every year and get a face full of spines for their trouble. This is not because porcupines are particularly aggressive. In fact, they tend to be shy, fearful animals — until they are threatened. They are particularly protective of their young and den territory. Dogs who try to engage or attack them are likely to receive a slap in the face with hundreds of quills.
Porcupine quills are more than sharp — they’re made to cause damage.
Some porcupines have up to 30,000 quills. These are actually sharp collections of hair covered in keratin that come to a barbed point. This makes them extremely difficult to remove from skin. Dogs like Ruckus have a long and difficult treatment plan waiting for them on the vet’s table.
Some urban legends say that porcupines can throw or shoot their quills at predators, but this is not true. However, they can release dozens of quills with each slap of their tail. Their quills also fall off on a regular basis. This is also dangerous, as they can become embedded in your dog’s paws if he steps on them.
It takes almost no effort for porcupines to release their quills. It takes less than the force required to insert a hypodermic needle for a quill to pierce the skin.
The wrong kind of treatment can mean sick dogs or serious injuries.
The problem with porcupine quills is that they are covered in tiny barbs that look like fish hooks. These hooks continue to push their way into the skin, especially if pet owners try to pull or twist them out. This can become extremely dangerous. Without attention, quills can pierce organs or muscles. Since they carry bacteria, your pup is susceptible to infection or painful abscesses.
The best thing to do if your dog tangles with a porcupine is to seek professional attention as soon as possible. If the attack was mild and your dog only has a quill or two, your vet might be willing to walk you through extraction. Usually, though, professionals can offer better care, especially if your dog needs sedation.
Professional treatment is better than DIY cures.
Veterinarians say porcupine attacks on dogs increase in the springtime. This is because warm weather means porcupines are on the move.
If you take your dog on walks in wooded areas or other places where porcupines live, make sure they are on a leash. Be watchful while you are in the area. Although your dog is unlikely to be seriously injured by a porcupine, it is always better to avoid. It will your pup some pain — and yourself some costly vet bills.
Some dog owners are tempted to snip the quills with a pair of scissors. This is a big mistake. Turning long quills into tiny pieces make it much easier for them to push further into the skin. That makes them much harder to get out, meaning your dog could need more invasive surgery to avoid sustaining serious injuries. Quills that work their way into the organs, for example, need surgery to remove. Leaving them opens your dog to cardiovascular injury, pneumonia, or other issues.
Pet owners should keep an eye out if porcupines are nearby.
A big way that dogs get tangled with porcupines is by startling them. Porcupines are slow and nearsighted, so they may not notice a predator until it is very close. This can cause them to respond aggressively even if your dog isn’t on the attack. To keep your pet safe, keep them close when you’re enjoying the outdoors together.
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