Porcupine Quills and Puppies

My 5 month old St. Bernard/Collie somehow ended up with a porcupine quill inside her lip (in the mouth).

It was only one quill, so it didn’t require a vet.

When we tried to pull it, it wouldn’t budge, so I put some white vinegar on it and let it sit for a few minutes. We tried again and it slid out without any trouble or pain to the puppy - not even a whimper from her.

I heard that vinegar loosens the flesh around the quill, but I didn’t believe it until I tried it!

Are there any other helpful tips you can give me? We live in a highly wooded area, and I’m sure this isn’t going to be her first porcupine encounter.

As a matter of fact, what about skunks? (Don’t say tomato juice - it doesn’t work)

Answer #1

for the porcupines maybe you can out up a large fence around your house so the porcupines cant get in and your dog cant get out

Answer #2

My dog used to get sprayed by snunks all the time when I lived in Maine. We bathed her with a sulfur based shampoo and that seemed to work really well. She also get “attacked” by porcupines all the time. Never on the inside of her mouth though. I didnt know about the vinegar either, so that will be helpful. =]

Answer #3

Not much chance of that (to hotdancer04).

Not only could both the dog and the porcupine dig under the fence, the dog never leaves the yard, and since I only rent this house, I have no authority to put up a fence.

Answer #4

I didn’t know about vinegar for quills, thanks for the tip…

For skunk, tomato juice doesn’t work all that well…BUT, a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and regular dish soap. Use about 1 qt of 3% peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda and a drizzle of dish soap. Mix it well and add a cup of water if needed and then lather up your dog right away.

This worked like a charm on the neighbor’s dog.

phrannie

Answer #5

I’m not sure about the porcupine quill’s but my husband’s German Shepherd used to get sprayed by a skunk, a lot. He used something called Skunk Away, he used to buy it at the grocery store. They also sell it at the pet store around here but I’m not sure about in Canada. My husband says that it works really good. He used to have one bottle that would last for about 5-6 washings for a 125 lb German Shepherd.

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