Grab the quill firmly near the tip and pull straight out, quickly and steadily.
You need to use some needle nose pliers and grab the quill as close to the animal's skin as possible and then remove quickly and straight out of the body. Again, this is only advisable if there are only a few of them. Otherwise, head to your veterinarian for removal of the quills.
If you happen to be the unlucky recipient of a porcupine quill in the arm or leg, grab a pair of needle-nose pliers and prepare yourself for a pinch. The best way to remove porcupine quills is simply to pull them out.
The quills bury deep and can be difficult and painful to remove. It will also require extensive exploration of the face, feet, or anywhere the quills may stick. The associated bill can be a little difficult to stomach but it's minimal compared to surgical removal later.
Porcupine Quill Removal by a Vet The quills bury deep and can be difficult and painful to remove. It will also require extensive exploration of the face, feet, or anywhere the quills may stick. The associated bill can be a little difficult to stomach but it's minimal compared to surgical removal later.
Grab the quills individually with pliers or hemostats or even your fingers then twist and pull straight up. The quill should slide out of your skin.
0:291:49Use a large tub for soaking the entire affected area step 3 cut or break off the ends of the quillsMoreUse a large tub for soaking the entire affected area step 3 cut or break off the ends of the quills to release the pressure and make the removal easier.
And considering the average cost of veterinary surgery to remove porcupine quills in the U.S. ranges from $800 – $1,800, it's easy to see that it's in everyone's best interest to make sure future dog vs. porcupine encounters are avoided at all costs.
Porcupine quills can be very painful and they can also introduce serious infection if not dealt with quickly and effectively.
Removing Porcupine Quills Yourself (not recommended!)
Are Porcupine Quills Poisonous? These thin spines are painful for any creature that gets too close. In some cases, dogs, badgers, and foxes impaled by these spikes have died due to their injuries. While porcupine quills are not poisonous, only a doctor or veterinarian should attempt to remove them.
If multiple quills get left in the skin and abscesses develop, your dog can end up with a body-wide infection. This could be fatal. Additionally, the quill can migrate deeper into the body and potentially pierce and damage not only vital organs but blood vessels as well.
If the dog has a mouth full of quills it is off to the vet. Most country vets will sedate a dog, pull out all of the quills, look way, way, way down their throat and give a shot of antibiotics for under $100.00.
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.
They become more anchored in the skin the longer they are there. This is because body heat causes their expansion, and the quills can become life-threatening as they migrate further into your dog's body. They can migrate to vital organs and cause injury by piercing them.
Step 2: Combine soda and vinegar If you are at home and you can't remove the quills easily, combine baking soda and vinegar in the large bowl and mix thoroughly. Immerse the quills in the soda and vinegar mixture and soak them until they're thoroughly softened. TIP: Use a large tub for soaking the entire affected area.