Porcupine attacks on the rise in Central Texas

Porcupine quills lodged in a dog's mouth after an encounter with a porcupine. Austin area veterinarians are seeing an uptick in cats and dogs with porcupine attack-related injuries. (Courtesy of Westlake Animal Hospital) less Porcupine quills lodged in a dog's mouth after an encounter with a porcupine. Austin area veterinarians are seeing an uptick in cats and dogs with porcupine attack-related injuries. (Courtesy of Westlake Animal ... more Image 1 of / 9 Caption Close Porcupine attacks on the rise in Central Texas 1 / 9 Back to Gallery

AUSTIN -- Porcupines in the Austin area increasingly have attacked dogs and cats, local doctors say.

Pictures recently have surfaced of dogs with quills stuck in their mouths, according to KEYE-TV.

Porcupines belong to the rodent family, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife. They're described as fat, pidgeon-toed, bow-legged and slow, and researchers say they can have 30,000 needle-sharp quills on their little bodies, "with as many as 100 to 140 growing from each square-inch of skin."

Ian Voezel, a doctor at Westlake Animal Hospital, told KEYE-TV that emergency clinics see more of these cases because attacks often happen at night.

"If they are sticking out, a lot of times we can pull them out without having to surgically cut them out," Voezel said. "It's quicker, less expensive and easier on the dog."

Austin Zoo & Animal Sanctuary zookeeper Matt Miklaw said porcupines are "pretty much everywhere."

"They are going to be attracted to our garbage just like rats and raccoons," Miklaw said. "That's why they come closer to people."

Voezel advised that pet owners bring let veterinarians remove the quills after attacks.

jfechter@express-news.net

Twitter: @JFreports