Dear A Moment Of Science,
Recently, one of my neighbor's dogs died after being quilled by a porcupine. Are porcupine quills poisonous? Or am I missing something?
Signed,
Animal Enthusiast
Our Answer
Well no, let's start with the basics: quills are simply hairs that have evolved to have certain protective attributes. Quills are loosely held by a porcupine's skin, and so if another creature comes into contact with a porcupine, quills detach easily from the porcupine.
Not so for the victim though. Quills have sharp tips with barbs on them that expand when they enter the warmth of another animal's skin.
Infections
The quill tips get lodged into the skin and are difficult and painful to remove. If the tips aren't removed, the quilled victim is likely to develop secondary infections.
If untreated, infections from quills can be fatal. In other cases, a quilled animal may starve to death.
Mouth
Because animals like dogs often explore things with their mouths, they're likely to get quilled in the mouth. Eating may become too painful. In rare and severe cases, a quilled animal may die from shock.
So, porcupines aren't poisonous, but their quills can pack a punch. If your pet gets quilled, you should take it to a veterinarian immediately. Death as result of being quilled is very rare if an animal receives immediate veterinary attention.
Sources And Further Reading:
"Porcupine And Flying Squirrel." The Alaska Zoo Animal Information Pages. Originally accessed on December 17, 2005. Reaccessed for re-run prep on May 9, 2018.
