FOXTAIL SEASON IS BACK
by Dr. Elizabeth MacDonald

With summer just around the corner, now is the time to start thinking about foxtails and ways to avoid them. Foxtails are the most common foreign body we see here at Madera Pet Hospital. They are small tufted grass bristles that resemble a fox's tail. Tiny barbs on the foxtail allow it to move easily through the pets fur and penetrate the skin. Dogs pick up foxtails as they walk through grassy areas.

Foxtails often are found:	Clinical signs:
Between webbing of toes	• Licking feet, limping, small red nodules, oozing wounds
Ear canals	• Shaking head, scratching ear, painful ear, head tilt
Nose	• Violent sneezing, moderate sneezing, nasal discharge
Under eyelids	• Squinting, red eye, discharge from eye
Throat/tonsils	• gagging, salivating, trying to clear throat, difficulty swallowing

Treatment:

Treatment depends on the location of the foxtail awn. Generally we can remove many foxtails without sedation or with mild sedation. The exception to this is foxtails in the nose. General anesthesia is required because dogs have extraordinarily sensitive noses. 

When do you need to bring your pet in ?

If you suspect your pet has a foxtail the sooner you come in the better! Time allows foxtails to bury further into the skin, eyes, ears or nose and cause more inflammation. This makes them much harder to find.  

Emergency treatment of foxtails:

Foxtails in the nose and eyes require immediate treatment. Foxtails in the nose can migrate deep into the nasal tissues. Therefore time is of the essence!   

How to avoid foxtails problems:

1. Learn to recognize foxtails.                

2. Avoid areas where they grow.

3. Do not let your dog off leash in these areas.     

4. Consider trimming long fur on pets' feet.

5. EXAMINE YOUR DOG AFTER EVERY WALK - remove foxtails early, before they become a problem.