San Antonio dog stuck with hundreds of quills after unsuccessfully trying to befriend a hedgehog

SAN ANTONIO – A playful puppy wanted to befriend a hedgehog last week but things didn’t go well.

San Antonio Pets Alive shared photos on Facebook of a one-and-a-half-year-old Nugget, an American Staffordshire terrier, with his face covered in quills after an unsuccessful attempt to play with a hedgehog.

Nugget was on the city’s death list in early July but a breeder stepped in and saved his life, San Antonio Pets Alive officials said.

He was playing in his adoptive parents’ backyard when he met the hedgehog, but things didn’t go well and Nugget ended up with “hundreds of quills on his face and feet.”

According to San Antonio Pets employee Alive, Nugget was taken to an emergency veterinary clinic for X-rays, fluids, pen surgery, anesthesia, medication, and more.

“His surgery costs already $2,500, and he will have to monitor and remove stitches over the next few weeks. Given Nugget’s most recent X-ray image, veterinarians aren’t sure if the lines on the X-ray are a quill, an air pocket from a removed brush, or an abscess.” official said.

Advertisement

San Antonio Pets Alive is asking for donations for help cover the cost of Nugget’s medical bills. Any money left over after covering the cost of Nugget’s bills will go to the other dogs and cats the rescue saves each year.

According to San Antonio Pets Alive, “Nugget is doing much better and putting his weight on all fours and was a pretty social boy during his time at the vet clinic,” according to San Antonio Pets Alive.

He is available for adoption and trained in potty training and crate packing.

According to his profile, Nugget “absolutely enjoys rattling tennis balls and stuffed toys, happily playing grabs, running across the court, and returning the toys to you for you to throw back.”

Advertisement

Nugget also loves to give kisses and loves to receive pets from his friends.