True or False: If my dog gets quilled by a porcupine, I should get a veterinarian to remove the quills, rather than do this myself.
Answer: True 

If your poor pooch gets quilled, no doubt you will be tempted to help ease their pain as soon as possible by pulling the quills out yourself, but this can end very poorly! 

 

Porcupine quills have fishhook-like ends that lodge very firmly into the skin. Removing these nasty barbs is extremely painful. Your dog will likely struggle with you, which may drive the quills deeper, and your dog may even lash out and bite from the pain.

Instead, your veterinarian can keep your dog calm and comfortable with heavy sedation or general anesthesia. This will allow your veterinarian to remove the greatest amount of quills with the least amount of damage to nearby tissue, which is especially important in sensitive areas, like the mouth, nose or eyes.

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