The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting Dogs How to remove porcupine quills in remote location?Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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I have a cabin about 200 river miles from the landing. When I had sled dogs (pretty long ago now), I had assembled with the help of a vet an emergency medical kit that included an injectible anesthetic in case of emergency. I know of some horror stories of cases where the only feasible solution was to shoot the dog. Never had an emergency that required using the anesthetic but I'm planning a trip there this Fall and wishing that I still had that kit. The anaesthetic that I carried was definately not over the counter stuff and almost certainly would be unobtainable today. I've never had to remove quills from a heavily hit dog but I have seen one dog (not mine) that nearly died when some of the ones that weren't immediately pulled had migrated got infected. The sled dogs are gone but I have a nice pet that goes along and given some of the horror stories that I've heard, I'm wondering how I would handle my pet getting quills in his throat, eyes, etc. in a location where it would not be feasible to get to a vet. He doesn't run free at all so with any luck the problem with never arise but if it did a quick drive to the vet would not be feasible. Does anyone have any experience with bad cases with porcupine quills when traveling in remote locations? Suggestions are welcome. Any anaesthetics that are available? | ||
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When I lived in Dillingham and there was no vet we used to save the outdated ketamine at the hospital and give that, Thorazine, and Atropine to the dogs and then remove the quills. My husky has gotten quilled a half dozen times since I moved to Anchorage. I can usually pull them without putting him out. One definite trick is to cut the quill tips before pulling them. The quills are hollow and if you grab them with a leather-man or pliers without cutting them they will expands elsewhere like if you squeezed a long balloon in the center. Good luck and hopefully you won't need to pull any. ______________________ DRSS ______________________ Hunt Reports 2015 His & Her Leopards with Derek Littleton of Luwire Safaris - http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/2971090112 2015 Trophy Bull Elephant with CMS http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/1651069012 DIY Brooks Range Sheep Hunt 2013 - http://forums.accuratereloadin...901038191#9901038191 Zambia June/July 2012 with Andrew Baldry - Royal Kafue http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7971064771 Zambia Sept 2010- Muchinga Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4211096141 Namibia Sept 2010 - ARUB Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6781076141 | |||
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| one of us |
I have pulled hunreds of quills. I just grab them with my leatherman and pull them out. Works most of the time. Had a lab that never did learn to leave them alone when I was a kid off to the vet a couple of times down his throat, touge ect. It seems he just hated porkupine just attack them. Very big dog 120lbs and no way you were going to hold him and just pull the quills out of his mouth ect. Vet would put him under and do the work. | |||
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Thanks for the advice about quill removal. I'll carry scissors as well as the Leatherman, also leather gloves, and watch out for porkys. I used to shoot any that came anywhere near the dog lot or the trails. The anesthetic that I carried 25 years ago was ketamine. It was provided by our vet then (he is now deceased) and was part of the medical kit that he assembled for us for remote travel. I don't think it would be available today. My dog is smallish, a sweet little Karelian bear dog that is only about 45 lbs, but I think I would have a hell of a time holding him down for quill removal. Knocking him out would be great if only there were a way to do it in this era. | |||
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One time I helped the son of the owner of a deer lease I hunted on remove quills from two of his high dollar cattle and sheep dogs. He got some stuff from the vet that knocked the dogs out, then we went to work... So I would suggest you talk to a good vet hand have give the dog a "scrip" with the right stuff to knock out the dog, a few times,and take it with you. Also get some good "pinchers" to help you pull out the quills. I think if the dog gets into a porcupine, and you cannot sedate him/her you would probably have to shoot him/her. DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY | |||
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One of Us |
Charley, my English Springer Spanial, god rest her precious soul, tried to retrieve a porcupine once. Most of the quills ended up in the nose. Nothing in the mouth, thank god. One of us held Charley and I cut the end of the quills off and pulled them with a pair of pliars. The trick is to pull quickly. Not a jerk or a slow pull, just quick, smooth and straight. If the dog swallows the quills, you are in a whole new sh-t storm. Get to a vet as quick as possible. Kind regards, Carpediem No politician who supports gun control should recieve armed protection paid for by those he is trying to disarm. Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways-scotch in one hand-Chocolate in the other-body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WHOO-HOO, WHAT A RIDE!!" Madly Off In All Directions | |||
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Problem solved. Vet prescribed an injectable anaesthetic. It will be along on all remote trips. | |||
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We just seem to find porkies pretty often in the Dakotas....they like those shelter belts. I carry pliers and duct tape. The tape immobilizes the dog and the pliers do the work. Most of the dogs give up pretty fast when they can't do anything about it. Make sure you feel for quills underneath the skin, especially around the wind pipe/esophagus. That's when you have to get to the vet. | |||
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Cutting the tips will not help. The white part of the quill is hollow. The black part where the barbs are is not, Almost like bone. Seen under a microscope they look like harpoons. | |||
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Restrain dog, as well as possible. Grab with pliers and pull. If you have lots of porkys and the dog isn't very bright, chances are you'll be doing it again.  Grizz Indeed, no human being has yet lived under conditions which, considering the prevailing climates of the past, can be regarded as normal. John E Pfeiffer, The Emergence of Man Those who can't skin, can hold a leg. Abraham Lincoln Only one war at a time. Abe Again. | |||
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+1 to Grizzly Adams if there are two hunters and one dog, so much easier. I never thought about duct tape, we had Brittneys, and getting the tape out of the long hair may have been as much of a hassle as getting the quills out. | |||
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| One of Us |
Pouring vinegar on them will sure soften them up and make them easier to extract. Hang on TITE !! | |||
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting Dogs How to remove porcupine quills in remote location?
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