05/22/2026
🚨 Porcupine Season 🚨
This patient came in after a run in with a porcupine.
In this case, we had to carefully make a small incision with a scalpel to safely retrieve the quill after it had travelled from the original puncture site.
⚠️ If your pet gets quilled, please DO NOT attempt to remove the quills at home.
Porcupine quills break very easily and can continue migrating through the body, potentially causing serious complications involving the eyes, chest, lungs, heart, joints, and other tissues.
Quill removal should be performed under sedation by a veterinary team to maximize the chances of safely and completely removing all quills while minimizing pain and complications.
If your pet has encountered a porcupine, contact your veterinarian or emergency clinic as soon as possible.
Stay safe out there🦔🐾