Dog v. Porcupine - who do you think won?

mommahen2four · #1 05/26/08, 08:26 PM

My big ole yellow lab has been humbled!!! Now, what do I do about the quills? I'd like to avoid the vet if possible, but...can I pull them without hurting him worse?

WindSongAcres · #2 05/26/08, 08:47 PM

I think you're suppose to cut the ends off and then pull them out - makes them come out easier. It's not an easy chore - hard on you and the dog. Good luck.

Minelson · #3 05/27/08, 07:42 AM

ouchie wowa! Did you get them all out?

mommahen2four · #4 05/28/08, 10:15 AM

Just an update...in case any of you face this...

Took him in to the vet as there were just too many to pull. Went back for him an hour later and found out they had to open him up and do major surgery to get the ones that were embedded in his muscle out. He now has a drain tube in his chest where they opened him and I don't have hundreds of dollars. Irony here...I used to think porcupines were cute and would get mad at hubby for wanting to kill them. I feel a little differently now! But...all's well that ends well, and I think he'll recover fine!

Minelson · #5 05/28/08, 09:27 PM

Wow! That turned out to be pretty serious! I'm glad he is recovering good. WHEW!

JediMom · #6 05/29/08, 07:44 AM

I cringed when I read the title of your post. We haven't faced porkypines as of yet, but I did have my Great Dane get "skunked" one fine Summer morning last year. I consider that a cake walk after hearing of your experience.

JasoninMN · #7 05/29/08, 09:46 AM

Poor dog, porky's can be really dangerous for dogs to deal with. There was a dog here a few weeks ago that found a baby porcupine and tried swallowing it. He had to have quills removed from his throat! My friends donkey got into with a porcupine and had to have a ton removed from his legs. We don't know if he was trying to stomp on it or what happened.