Imagine letting your dog run free in nature, only for it to come back with its face covered in porcupine quills! That’s exactly what happened to a husky in New England, who learned the hard way that porcupines are no joke. TikTok user and veterinary technician Crushalicious shared a video of her husky Gem, who ended up with his face and paws full of quills after a run-in with a porcupine. Comments flooded in from other dog owners sharing similar stories, because these encounters happen a lot, especially in summer.
Porcupines are also found in southern Europe—in countries like Italy, Albania, and Greece—so it’s important to be cautious wherever you walk your dog. If your dog meets a porcupine, the key is to stay calm and never try to pull out the quills yourself. The quills have tiny barbs that easily embed in the skin and can break off, leading to serious infections and complications. Cutting the quills is a big no-no because it makes removal even harder.
Vets usually remove quills under sedation because even if your dog looks fine at first, a hidden quill can migrate deeper into the body and cause serious health issues. That’s why a vet checkup is a must, no matter how harmless the situation seems. This painful porcupine encounter isn’t just unpleasant—it can be life-threatening for your furry friend.
So next time you let your dog explore the wild, remember Gem and his porcupine run-in. Better safe than sorry, right? And hey, if you’ve got a similar story, don’t be shy—sharing might just save someone else’s day (and dog)!
