Difference between revisions of "Remove Porcupine Quills"
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===Removing Quills from a Dog or Other Animal=== | ===Removing Quills from a Dog or Other Animal=== | ||
| − | #Treat the animal promptly. Porcupine quills are much less likely to cause lasting harm if they are removed from the animal within the first 24 hours.<ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1482438/</ref> Animals that are treated during that period almost always make a full recovery. Delayed treatment, on the other hand, increases the chance of complications such as broken quill tips, eye or joint damage, and infection. Dogs that have quills in their mouth region may not be able to eat until they are removed. | + | #Treat the animal promptly. Porcupine quills are much less likely to cause lasting harm if they are removed from the animal within the first 24 hours.<ref name="rf1">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1482438/</ref> Animals that are treated during that period almost always make a full recovery. Delayed treatment, on the other hand, increases the chance of complications such as broken quill tips, eye or joint damage, and infection. Dogs that have quills in their mouth region may not be able to eat until they are removed. |
#*Many veterinary hospitals accept after-hours patients for emergencies. | #*Many veterinary hospitals accept after-hours patients for emergencies. | ||
| − | #*If you cannot treat the animal immediately, try to keep it from pawing at or breaking the quills.<ref>http://www.guardianvetcentre.com/html/pet-owners/Pet-Help-Articles/Porcupine_Quill_Injuries/index.cfm</ref> Restrain it to minimize any movement if the quills are in its chest or abdomen, where breakage is most dangerous. | + | #*If you cannot treat the animal immediately, try to keep it from pawing at or breaking the quills.<ref name="rf2">http://www.guardianvetcentre.com/html/pet-owners/Pet-Help-Articles/Porcupine_Quill_Injuries/index.cfm</ref> Restrain it to minimize any movement if the quills are in its chest or abdomen, where breakage is most dangerous. |
#Take the animal to a veterinarian if possible. Removing quills from an animal at home is a painful process, and even a gentle animal will struggle. If the animal is pierced with 10 or more quills, has quills embedded near the mouth or eyes, or has a tendency toward aggressive behavior, make an effort to find a veterinarian. Only attempt home removal in these situations as a last resort. | #Take the animal to a veterinarian if possible. Removing quills from an animal at home is a painful process, and even a gentle animal will struggle. If the animal is pierced with 10 or more quills, has quills embedded near the mouth or eyes, or has a tendency toward aggressive behavior, make an effort to find a veterinarian. Only attempt home removal in these situations as a last resort. | ||
| − | #*If quills are embedded in or around the eye, removing them yourself is dangerous. Broken quill tips in the eye may require medical equipment to locate and can cause serious damage.<ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1687009/</ref> | + | #*If quills are embedded in or around the eye, removing them yourself is dangerous. Broken quill tips in the eye may require medical equipment to locate and can cause serious damage.<ref name="rf3">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1687009/</ref> |
| − | #*If quills are embedded around the mouth, the animal may have quills embedded in the mouth or throat. These are difficult to locate and remove at home, and could interfere with your animal's ability to eat until removed by a veterinarian.<ref>http://www.petsadviser.com/vet/porcupine-attacks-on-dogs/</ref> | + | #*If quills are embedded around the mouth, the animal may have quills embedded in the mouth or throat. These are difficult to locate and remove at home, and could interfere with your animal's ability to eat until removed by a veterinarian.<ref name="rf4">http://www.petsadviser.com/vet/porcupine-attacks-on-dogs/</ref> |
#Have one or more assistants restrain the animal. Unless the animal is small and unusually calm, you should have a friend hold it in place. Choose someone the dog is comfortable with, if possible, to further minimize stress and struggling. Struggle during quill removal can cause the tips to break off and dig deeper into the animal, where you cannot reach them. | #Have one or more assistants restrain the animal. Unless the animal is small and unusually calm, you should have a friend hold it in place. Choose someone the dog is comfortable with, if possible, to further minimize stress and struggling. Struggle during quill removal can cause the tips to break off and dig deeper into the animal, where you cannot reach them. | ||
| − | #*'''Do not''' muzzle the animal unless there are no quills in or around its face, as the muzzle could break quills or push them in further. Almost all dogs injured by quills have quills in this area, often in addition to other locations, so check thoroughly for puncture marks or small quills in the mouth and face before you assume muzzling is safe.<ref | + | #*'''Do not''' muzzle the animal unless there are no quills in or around its face, as the muzzle could break quills or push them in further. Almost all dogs injured by quills have quills in this area, often in addition to other locations, so check thoroughly for puncture marks or small quills in the mouth and face before you assume muzzling is safe.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #Check all over the animal for quill location. The majority of animals with embedded quills are injured in multiple locations, and some quills may be small and difficult to see.<ref | + | #Check all over the animal for quill location. The majority of animals with embedded quills are injured in multiple locations, and some quills may be small and difficult to see.<ref name="rf1" /> The animal's efforts to remove the quills itself may cause them to transfer into the animal's paws as well, or the porcupine could have struck the animal multiple times. |
#*Check inside the mouth, using a flashlight to see the back palate and throat. If there are quills located here, a veterinarian can remove them without nearly as much pain to the dog. | #*Check inside the mouth, using a flashlight to see the back palate and throat. If there are quills located here, a veterinarian can remove them without nearly as much pain to the dog. | ||
#*Check on and between its footpads, and along its paws and legs. | #*Check on and between its footpads, and along its paws and legs. | ||
#*While quills on the chest or stomach are much less common than in other locations, you should still check for small quills and tender lumps under the skin here, as broken quill tips in this region can be dangerous. | #*While quills on the chest or stomach are much less common than in other locations, you should still check for small quills and tender lumps under the skin here, as broken quill tips in this region can be dangerous. | ||
| − | #Keep the animal as relaxed as possible. Move slowly and speak softly to keep the dog as relaxed as possible, although you should be ready to dodge a bite. Before removing quills from the animal's face, cover its eyes with your hand or have an assistant the animal trusts do the same.<ref>http://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/home-remedies-for-dogs-with-porcupine-quills-and-foxtails.htm</ref> | + | #Keep the animal as relaxed as possible. Move slowly and speak softly to keep the dog as relaxed as possible, although you should be ready to dodge a bite. Before removing quills from the animal's face, cover its eyes with your hand or have an assistant the animal trusts do the same.<ref name="rf5">http://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/home-remedies-for-dogs-with-porcupine-quills-and-foxtails.htm</ref> |
| − | #Never cut the quills before removing. You may have heard or read advice about cutting the porcupine quill in half so it deflates and is easier to remove. Do not follow this advice: it can actually make the quills more difficult to grab on to, or even splinter them into several broken pieces.<ref | + | #Never cut the quills before removing. You may have heard or read advice about cutting the porcupine quill in half so it deflates and is easier to remove. Do not follow this advice: it can actually make the quills more difficult to grab on to, or even splinter them into several broken pieces.<ref name="rf2" /><ref name="rf6">http://riverroadveterinary.com/porcupine-quills-in-dogs/</ref> |
| − | #Grasp a quill near the base with pliers or hemostats. Use a pair of flat-jawed pliers that can firmly grasp the base of the quill, next to the skin.<ref>http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/2458736?uid=3739560&uid=2&uid=4&uid=3739256&sid=21104408388453</ref> You may have to switch to smaller or needle-nosed pliers to remove the smallest quills. Hemostats, or small medical pliers intended for clamping, are an excellent choice if available. | + | #Grasp a quill near the base with pliers or hemostats. Use a pair of flat-jawed pliers that can firmly grasp the base of the quill, next to the skin.<ref name="rf7">http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/2458736?uid=3739560&uid=2&uid=4&uid=3739256&sid=21104408388453</ref> You may have to switch to smaller or needle-nosed pliers to remove the smallest quills. Hemostats, or small medical pliers intended for clamping, are an excellent choice if available. |
#*Grasp firmly, but not hard enough to break the quill. | #*Grasp firmly, but not hard enough to break the quill. | ||
#*Do not grasp the quills with your fingers. They are covered tiny barbs and scales which will cause pain and injury to your skin. | #*Do not grasp the quills with your fingers. They are covered tiny barbs and scales which will cause pain and injury to your skin. | ||
#Pull the quill out quickly in the opposite direction the quill entered. Keeping a firm grip on the quill base, pull in as straight a line as possible. Try to slide the quill out of the hole directly, rather than angling it where it could cause new damage or break inside the animal. | #Pull the quill out quickly in the opposite direction the quill entered. Keeping a firm grip on the quill base, pull in as straight a line as possible. Try to slide the quill out of the hole directly, rather than angling it where it could cause new damage or break inside the animal. | ||
| − | #*Quill removal is much less painful when done with a rapid motion.<ref | + | #*Quill removal is much less painful when done with a rapid motion.<ref name="rf7" /> You should be sure you have a firm grip on the quill and are aiming to pull in the right direction before you yank the quill, however. |
| − | #If the quill tip breaks, remove it with sanitized tweezers. Look at the base of the quill you removed to make sure the tip is still present. If the tip has broken off, it could cause infection or even travel to the animal's organs.<ref | + | #If the quill tip breaks, remove it with sanitized tweezers. Look at the base of the quill you removed to make sure the tip is still present. If the tip has broken off, it could cause infection or even travel to the animal's organs.<ref name="rf1" /> You will need to sanitize a pair of tweezers and attempt to remove it. |
#*To sanitize metal tweezers, rinse them in running water, then drop them in a pot of boiling water for five minutes. Remove carefully with tongs, place on a clean paper towel, and let cool for a few minutes before handling. | #*To sanitize metal tweezers, rinse them in running water, then drop them in a pot of boiling water for five minutes. Remove carefully with tongs, place on a clean paper towel, and let cool for a few minutes before handling. | ||
#*If you cannot see the quill tip in the puncture wound, or you fail to remove it after one or two attempts, take your dog to a veterinarian immediately. | #*If you cannot see the quill tip in the puncture wound, or you fail to remove it after one or two attempts, take your dog to a veterinarian immediately. | ||
#Repeat with all remaining quills. Grasp each quill one at a time next to the skin. Pull it out firmly and quickly to minimize pain. Always pull straight in the opposite direction it entered, never at an angle. Check the tip after each quill is removed to make sure it hasn't broken inside the animal. | #Repeat with all remaining quills. Grasp each quill one at a time next to the skin. Pull it out firmly and quickly to minimize pain. Always pull straight in the opposite direction it entered, never at an angle. Check the tip after each quill is removed to make sure it hasn't broken inside the animal. | ||
#*Check the animal again for quills you may have missed. It's always best to be certain, as removing the quill right away leads to faster, safer recovery. | #*Check the animal again for quills you may have missed. It's always best to be certain, as removing the quill right away leads to faster, safer recovery. | ||
| − | #Bandage or disinfectant quill wounds depending on location. Only bandage or wrap the quill wounds if they are on the animal's chest or causing a significant amount of blood.<ref>http://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/accidents-injuries/e_dg_puncture_wounds</ref> Other wounds should be left open to the air so you can keep an eye out for infection, but you should dab disinfectant or antiseptic on these to reduce the risk of infection. Do not disinfect chest wounds. | + | #Bandage or disinfectant quill wounds depending on location. Only bandage or wrap the quill wounds if they are on the animal's chest or causing a significant amount of blood.<ref name="rf8">http://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/accidents-injuries/e_dg_puncture_wounds</ref> Other wounds should be left open to the air so you can keep an eye out for infection, but you should dab disinfectant or antiseptic on these to reduce the risk of infection. Do not disinfect chest wounds. |
| − | #*Dip a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide for an easy tool for cleaning wounds.<ref>http://www.wisegeek.com/how-do-i-remove-porcupine-quills.htm</ref> | + | #*Dip a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide for an easy tool for cleaning wounds.<ref name="rf9">http://www.wisegeek.com/how-do-i-remove-porcupine-quills.htm</ref> |
| − | #Have your animal get a rabies vaccine. While chances of a rabies infection are quite low, the disease is fatal, so don't skip this step. Any warm-blooded animal can contract rabies, including cats, dogs, birds, horses, and livestock.<ref>http://www.pet-informed-veterinary-advice-online.com/rabies.html#rabies-risk</ref> Your local doctor or veterinarian should know whether rabies is in your area, and be able to administer a vaccine. | + | #Have your animal get a rabies vaccine. While chances of a rabies infection are quite low, the disease is fatal, so don't skip this step. Any warm-blooded animal can contract rabies, including cats, dogs, birds, horses, and livestock.<ref name="rf10">http://www.pet-informed-veterinary-advice-online.com/rabies.html#rabies-risk</ref> Your local doctor or veterinarian should know whether rabies is in your area, and be able to administer a vaccine. |
#*Mammals such as dogs and cats can not only contract rabies, but pass it on to humans. Ask your doctor whether a rabies vaccine for yourself is required, especially if you didn't get your animal a vaccine immediately. | #*Mammals such as dogs and cats can not only contract rabies, but pass it on to humans. Ask your doctor whether a rabies vaccine for yourself is required, especially if you didn't get your animal a vaccine immediately. | ||
#*Even if your pet received a vaccine in the last three years, ask a doctor whether it would be wise to receive another one after possible exposure. | #*Even if your pet received a vaccine in the last three years, ask a doctor whether it would be wise to receive another one after possible exposure. | ||
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#*If you are not able to visit a doctor, sanitize a pair of clean (dirt-free) tweezers by putting them in boiling water for five minutes. Remove the tweezers from the water with tongs and let cool on a clean paper towel for a few minutes before you use them to remove the broken quill tip inside the wound. | #*If you are not able to visit a doctor, sanitize a pair of clean (dirt-free) tweezers by putting them in boiling water for five minutes. Remove the tweezers from the water with tongs and let cool on a clean paper towel for a few minutes before you use them to remove the broken quill tip inside the wound. | ||
#Repeat the removal process for every quill you can locate. Ask the patient if they have any pains elsewhere on their body, which could indicate smaller quills or broken off quill tips neither of you noticed. Remove quill tips as described above. | #Repeat the removal process for every quill you can locate. Ask the patient if they have any pains elsewhere on their body, which could indicate smaller quills or broken off quill tips neither of you noticed. Remove quill tips as described above. | ||
| − | #Disinfect the wounds. Dip a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide and wipe the wounds clean with it.<ref | + | #Disinfect the wounds. Dip a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide and wipe the wounds clean with it.<ref name="rf9" /> Sterile alcohol pads found in first aid kits will also work. Use mild soap and water if nothing else is available. |
#Apply antibiotic ointment to the wounds. You may wish to apply a bandage over the ointment to hold it in place if the injured person will be participating in energetic activities, or if he or she is likely to scratch at the wound. Otherwise, keep the region open (without a bandage) so you can watch for infection. | #Apply antibiotic ointment to the wounds. You may wish to apply a bandage over the ointment to hold it in place if the injured person will be participating in energetic activities, or if he or she is likely to scratch at the wound. Otherwise, keep the region open (without a bandage) so you can watch for infection. | ||
#Monitor the wound every day for signs of infection. Possible infection can appear as redness, swelling and oozing pus. You should visit a doctor if this occurs so you can be prescribed a safe and effective antibiotic to fight off the infection. | #Monitor the wound every day for signs of infection. Possible infection can appear as redness, swelling and oozing pus. You should visit a doctor if this occurs so you can be prescribed a safe and effective antibiotic to fight off the infection. | ||
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===Reducing the Chance of Porcupine Encounters=== | ===Reducing the Chance of Porcupine Encounters=== | ||
#Do not assume your animal will learn to avoid porcupines. Many dogs and other animals end up injuring themselves with porcupine encounters two or more times. If your pet has been injured by a porcupine once in your area, it is likely to encounter one again and may provoke it again. | #Do not assume your animal will learn to avoid porcupines. Many dogs and other animals end up injuring themselves with porcupine encounters two or more times. If your pet has been injured by a porcupine once in your area, it is likely to encounter one again and may provoke it again. | ||
| − | #Identify possible porcupine dens. Porcupines live in small, enclosed spaces. Caves, spaces underneath logs, or rockfalls may contain porcupines. Keep your animal leashed when passing by this type of area, or call it back if it goes to investigate these. If someone encountered porcupines near your house, they may be living underneath a deck, in a crawlspace, or in the corner of a shed.<ref>http://www.unitedwildlife.com/animalsporcupines.html</ref> | + | #Identify possible porcupine dens. Porcupines live in small, enclosed spaces. Caves, spaces underneath logs, or rockfalls may contain porcupines. Keep your animal leashed when passing by this type of area, or call it back if it goes to investigate these. If someone encountered porcupines near your house, they may be living underneath a deck, in a crawlspace, or in the corner of a shed.<ref name="rf11">http://www.unitedwildlife.com/animalsporcupines.html</ref> |
| − | #*A porcupine's den may be easy to discover if you follow the sound of strange barks, grunts, moans, or screams. These sounds are most common during the autumn mating season.<ref | + | #*A porcupine's den may be easy to discover if you follow the sound of strange barks, grunts, moans, or screams. These sounds are most common during the autumn mating season.<ref name="rf11" /> |
| − | #If you encounter a porcupine, back away slowly. Contrary to myth, porcupines are not aggressive and are not able to throw their quills. As long as you back away slowly, the porcupine should not harm you. Look around as you back up to make sure there are no other porcupines around. While they are usually solitary, you may find mothers with young or multiple porcupines sharing a den in the winter.<ref>http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/Plants_Wildlife/rte/rtePorcupine.asp</ref> | + | #If you encounter a porcupine, back away slowly. Contrary to myth, porcupines are not aggressive and are not able to throw their quills. As long as you back away slowly, the porcupine should not harm you. Look around as you back up to make sure there are no other porcupines around. While they are usually solitary, you may find mothers with young or multiple porcupines sharing a den in the winter.<ref name="rf12">http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/Plants_Wildlife/rte/rtePorcupine.asp</ref> |
#Know when porcupines are active. Porcupines typically sleep during the day, so your animals have little risk of encountering them during that time. Keep your animals indoors or in pens during the night. If you want to spot the porcupines yourself to confirm they are on your property, you may need a flashlight or night vision goggles. Stay well away from the suspected den. | #Know when porcupines are active. Porcupines typically sleep during the day, so your animals have little risk of encountering them during that time. Keep your animals indoors or in pens during the night. If you want to spot the porcupines yourself to confirm they are on your property, you may need a flashlight or night vision goggles. Stay well away from the suspected den. | ||
| − | #Call professional porcupine removers to remove porcupines on your property. Besides the possibility of injury, porcupines will eat wood and garden plants, causing major damage.<ref | + | #Call professional porcupine removers to remove porcupines on your property. Besides the possibility of injury, porcupines will eat wood and garden plants, causing major damage.<ref name="rf11" /> Call Wildlife Control or professional pet removers and have them safely remove the porcupines. |
#*Do not attempt to drive the porcupines away yourself, as you could be seriously injured. | #*Do not attempt to drive the porcupines away yourself, as you could be seriously injured. | ||
