dog bit a porcupine

[GermanShorthair]

hey on tuesday my gsp thought a porcupine would be something to pick up, and boy was he wrong i spent the rest of my evening pulling quills from him, and now he is fine there appears to be now swollen areas so i am pretty sure i got them all, but was wondering what kind of training tips do you have for the dogs to avoid them or just steer clear of them, i hope this never happens again, thanks.

[KillBilly]

hey on tuesday my gsp thought a porcupine would be something to pick up, and boy was he wrong i spent the rest of my evening pulling quills from him, and now he is fine there appears to be now swollen areas so i am pretty sure i got them all, but was wondering what kind of training tips do you have for the dogs to avoid them or just steer clear of them, i hope this never happens again, thanks.

out of curiosity, how did you pull them out?

[GermanShorthair]

with tweezers he held still and i would get as close as i could to the skin then pull in the same direction the went in and they came right out

[KillBilly]

Okay, I was told by a vet that if you cut them off near the middle of the quill that the quill will deflate and they will pull real easy. It worked for a friends horse just a couple of months ago. I had never heard of that but it worked great. Just wanted to pass it along.

[rainshadow1]

That's a good tip, Al.

I spent an hour with a leatherman pulling them out of my Lab years ago. She went at it mouth first, and got them all over her muzzle, through her tongue, inside her mouth, etc. Had to be excruciating, but she was the best mannered dog I've ever heard of, much less owned, so she sat there and let me yank them all out.

I found a couple a few days later that had made it all the way through her lower lip, from inside her mouth out through her chin.

Was her only encounter for a 14 year life, so training never came up.

[ThePascoKid]

I've seen dogs that wouldn't leave them alone after the first encounter, almost like they had a vengeance against them and didn't care about the pain, I have also seen others that after the first encounter wanted nothing to do with them.  I think it all depends on the temperament of your dog.

[X-Force]

Poor pup. reading up on removal of the quills it sounds like you guys did it right. i hope he learned his lesson.

[Bighorse]

The tip does not deflate.  I think the mechanism of retention is the fluid accumulation in the barbs, aquired from the flesh of the animal impacted.  I've always stopped what I was doing and pulled em out then and there before any further damage is done. 

I just pay real close attention to my dog and when it seems something is amiss I call him off.  I can't expain it but I can just tell when my dog scenting one. 

After Theos first encounter he never mouthed one, he'll just get one cornered and let me know he's there.

[bigdave]

pliers and a lot of patience for me as well. She seemed to know I was trying to help and whined a little but never tried to run or bite.

She has never done it again thankd God.

I wonder if it feels like when my wife plucks my nose hairs.......THAT makes me want to run and whine.

[farmin4u_98948]

Experience has shown me over the years that some dogs learn and some dont. Had one mutt shepherd rez cross that rolled on a dead one. The quills were the same color as his hair. That was a long afternoon of search and destroy. This dog was also a great pleasure to have around when ever their were skunks to kill. He would attack and boy was it fun to watch. Sure he got sprayed but after he followed me through the alfalfa field running behind the motorcycle the smell was mostly gone. Great memories!! We always seem to have strays come by that have their muzzle full looking for help. I never give them the help they want.      When I pull them I use needle nose locking pliers. Clipping the ends of the quills helps but often its just as easy to clamp on and pull.

[Head-shot]

A friend sent me this in an email. Damn it's gotta hurt. Looks like the dog has a learning disability....

[zelda02]

I have seen some porcupine encounters over the years, that takes the cake.

[bow4elk]

pitbulls are too stupid to know when to stop...

[Ghost1941]

Holy *censored*... did the porcupine even have any quills left after that encounter?

[Intruder]

  that's incredible