A Big Cactus Problem

So, you are out on a walk with your dog and they stray off the beaten path to go explore.  You discover that they have been in contact with a cactus!  The quills become embedded in the dog’s skin (maybe even the paws or tongue…ouch!).  Whether your pet meets a cactus in your yard or away from home, it is a good idea to have the proper tools handy to safely remove the quills.  It is also important to recognize when you may need veterinary assistance.

You need to have a good understanding of the cactus quills to reach best judgement.  The quills of many species of cactus have microscopic, overlapping scales that function as barbs.  This design makes it extremely easy to puncture skin, and even trickier to pull out.  Cholla and prickly pear have evolved so even a light brush against the plant may cause a little segment of the plant to break off (they don’t really ‘jump’) and travel along attached to an animal’s skin. This is one cactus strategy of spreading itself to new areas.  Fact: some cactuses have a second, miniaturized defense system which consist of tiny, hairlike quills called glochids.  They happen to be so small that they may be easily felt than seen.  With, do not become the second victim!  Protect your hands first.

We recommend that you have a pair of leather work gloves, a small pair of needle-nosed pliers, tweezers, and some antibiotic ointment.  Put the leather gloves on and determine the tool that would be best needed for the job at hand.  Larger quills are normally removed with needle-nosed pliers.  Tweezers can be used to remove the smaller spines or glochids.  You need to continue to monitor your pet’s punctured skin for any sign of infection, such as swelling, redness, or draining fluid.  Be sure to apply antibiotic ointment to the area to help prevent any infection.  As always, you will need to contact your veterinarian for further assistance if need be.