By Brooke Helton for The Dog People
Your dog might love to explore open fields or lush woods. But during the summer, exploring and sniffing can be a risk factor for foxtails. Foxtails are invasive, prickly grasses with arrow-tailed seeds. These are found in dry regions of the United States and can lodge into your dog’s skin and fur.
“Foxtails are dangerous because of their tendency to trap themselves onto skin, noses, and respiratory tracts, where they create inflammation and irritation,” says Dr. Anita Patel, medical director with Indevets.
Patel adds that the foxtail barb’s arrow shape helps it burrow inside your dog’s body and into their skin. As a result of being stuck, foxtails can cause infections and abscesses. Thankfully, if you catch foxtails early, you can easily remove them and prevent any severe health issues.
Learn about foxtails, including where they grow, spotting one on your dog, and what to do next.
Signs Your Dog May Have an Embedded Foxtail
If your dog gets on the wrong end of a foxtail, they’ll typically show symptoms early on. For example, you may notice your dog licking more than usual as they attempt to soothe their irritated skin.
Beyond excessive licking, other signs of a foxtail, Dr. Genna Mize, DVM says, include:
- Rubbing or scratching a particular area
- The presence of a wound that doesn’t seem to heal
- Red or swollen skin
If the foxtail causes an infection or abscess in your dog, you might notice discharge, a foul odor, or even a fever. An abscess is an accumulation of pus, says Dr. Mize. She adds that the pus is caused by white blood cells responding to the foxtail and bacteria that come along with the migrating plant.
Where to Check Your Dog for Foxtails
Dr. Patel and Dr. Mize say foxtails commonly enter your dog’s body through the following points.
- Paws
- Nostrils
- Ears
- Mouth
Dr. Patel advises checking your dog’s “problem areas” immediately after a walk, so you can spot the foxtails before they can migrate deeper into their bodies. If your dog has a long coat, she suggests running your hands over their body from nose to tail or using a fine-toothed comb to part their fur.
If you do find a foxtail tagging along, don’t panic. Removing them without issue is possible if you catch them early enough.
CLICK HERE FOR WHEN YOU SHOULD VISIT THE VET TO ADDRESS FOXTAILS
Image Credit: bearfotos for freepik
