Rescue asking for help with the funding necessary to sedate and remove all of these quills from the poor pooches.
KERRVILLE, Texas — A Kerrville animal rescue is asking for help after rescuing three injured dogs out of a “bad situation.”
The three female dogs were rescued with numerous porcupine quills stuck in their body. They were unable to eat or drink properly and clearly suffering, according to Kerrville Pets Alive!
Ouch! | Kerrville Pets Alive! helps 3 dogs stuck with porcupine quills
“Their owner is short on funds and desperate to find relief for his pups,” said Kerrville Pets Alive!
A team of volunteers took the dogs in and got them the necessary veterinary care. The quills will be removed and the animals will receive pain medication. They should all make a full recovery.
“It will take some time for the medical staff at the Hill Country Emergency Hospital in Boerne, to sedate these pups and remove each of the quills,” said KPA! “The estimated cost is $2,500 for all three dogs.”
The rescue is hoping for community help as they navigate paying back high veterinary bills.
If you can, please donate here and note Quill Dogs: Kerrvillepetsalive.org or VENMO @kerrvillepetsalive.
KPA! wants to remind you that the Texas Hill Country is abundant with wildlife—including porcupines! While these fascinating creatures play an important role in our ecosystem, they can pose a risk to curious pets.
“When threatened, a porcupine coils up and raises its quills,” said KPA! “It may rattle them together to warn off predators. If contact occurs, the quills easily detach and embed into the attacker. Contrary to myth, porcupines cannot shoot their quills, and their quills are not poisonous—but they are extremely painful and dangerous if embedded.”
How to keep your pets safe:
- Always leash your pets in areas where porcupines may live
- Maintain your property by trimming vegetation and securing woodpiles
- Be extra vigilant at dawn and dusk when porcupines are most active
- Train dogs with positive reinforcement to avoid chasing wildlife
- If your pet is quilled, do not attempt to remove the quills at home. Seek veterinary care immediately, as quills can drive deeper and cause severe injuries.
Quills near the eyes, mouth, or throat are especially dangerous, leading to swelling, infection, difficulty eating/drinking, and impaired breathing. Prompt professional care is critical.