Fewer things are more painful for a dog and fewer things does a veterinarian dread -- than porcupine quills.
Rural Butler County veterinarian Douglas Nielson recently treated three dogs that encountered a porcupine. All three dogs had taken a large amount of quills, which is not surprising as porcupines have over 30,000 quills on their bodies. Quills cover the back and sides of this animal, with stiffer fatter quills on its tail.
Porcupines don't "throw" their quills; nor are they known to attack other animals. But, their quills are nature's best defense. The quills are loosely attached to the porcupine's body and an animal has to connect with the porcupine to be hit with the quills. If threatened, the porcupine raises its quills, looking like a giant pincushion. The porcupine can imbed its quills almost an inch into opponents’ skin. Each quill has hundreds of quills have tiny barbs or hooks. Once embedded, these hooks cause the quill to work its way even deeper and they make removing set-in quills painful and difficult.
“The sooner you get the dogs to the Vet, the better. They become dehydrated almost immediately. Their tongues and mouths get filled with the quills and the dogs can’t swallow or produce saliva. They die in just a matter of hours due to the dehydration. It’s a hideous way for them to die. Some dog owners try to remove the quills themselves, but they need to get medical help for their animals as soon as possible,” Dr. Nielson advised.
As the doctor held a bowlful of quills that were removed from one dog, he explained, “Last week we saved two dogs, but one died. The first thing I did was to get fluids going... dogs will go after a porcupine and try to bite them again and again -- that’s why their mouths and tongues become embedded with the quills,” he added, “Even after living through an encounter, the same dogs will still go after porcupines. That’s just the way they are.”
Since he began his practice in 1975, he has only treated approximately six dogs that have tangled with porcupines.
“It’s unusual to see porcupines in this area -- don’t know where hey came from, but they’re here,” Dr. Nielson said.
According to Kansas Wildlife and Parks Wildlife Biologist Charles Cope, porcupines are native to our area.
“Historically they have been here for a long time -- according to our records. They may not be in all counties, but they are here and even with state wide distribution, their ranges seem to be expanding,” Cope advised.
Cope explained that porcupine are listed as non-game, but huntable Kansas wildlife.
“Anyone wanting to hunt them are required to have a (hunting) license. With the hunting scenario, it’s allowable to use their meat and quills. Under a nuisance complaint, they can be shot, however our agency can investigate the complaint,” he added.
Cope advised that some people dig 12’ x 12’ trenches containing mesh screen in order to keep porcupine from digging under porches and buildings.
The porcupine is one of the largest rodents in North America, second only to the beaver, and porcupines grow to a length of 2 to 31/2 feet, tail included. They usually weigh between 8 and 14 pounds, although they have been known to weigh upwards of 35 pounds. The porcupine may live for 5 years or more in the wild, They do not hibernate and are active all winter.
Porcupines move slowly with a swaying gait. They have poor vision but a very good sense of smell. Porcupines generally like to eat the evergreen tree inner bark and needles, but they do find other hardwoods palatable.
Bobcats are the principal predators of porcupines in Kansas, although coyotes are capable of killing this animal.
If you see a porcupine, keep your dog away, as it can be a long and painful lesson for your pet.
