Dogs Eating Foxtails: Causes Symptoms and Treatment

Dogs eating foxtails can be a real concern for pet owners. Foxtails are a type of grass seed that can be found in many areas, particularly in dry climates.

Foxtails can easily become lodged in a dog's skin, causing discomfort and pain. This is because the seed's pointed tip makes it easy to penetrate fur and skin.

Dogs often ingest foxtails while playing or running in areas where the seeds are present. Ingestion can lead to intestinal blockages or other complications.

Foxtails can also cause skin irritation, including redness, swelling, and discharge.

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A foxtail is a type of grass seed that's a common problem for dogs, especially during certain times of the year.

Foxtails have a unique shape that allows them to easily penetrate skin and tissue, which is why they can be so damaging to dogs.

They're typically around 1-2 inches long and have a distinctive, barbed tip that makes them hard to remove once they've embedded themselves.

Foxtails are usually found in dry, grassy areas, and are most prevalent during the late summer and early fall months when the seeds are ripe and ready to disperse.

Dogs eating foxtails can be a real problem, and it's essential to understand the causes and symptoms to prevent and address the issue.

Foxtails are like porcupine quills, once they attach they move deeper by way of the motion and muscle contractions of your pet. This can lead to a hollow path being left behind where the seed or awl passes, which is usually infected.

The outside of the seed contains a bacterium with enzymes that are used to break down vegetation, which aids the burrowing process. This can cause damage to your dog's body, including the lungs, heart, brain, liver, and vital glands.

The seed is shaped like a torpedo to enable easy penetration through any opening on your dog, such as the throat, nose, ears, and even open sores, the anus, genitals, and penile sheaths that are softer tissue.

Common Symptoms:

Foxtails are shaped like the tail of a fox, with seeds arranged in spikey clusters and backward-facing barbs. This unique shape allows for one-way burrowing, which helps the foxtail plant spread its seeds.

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The spikes and barbs on foxtails are particularly problematic for dogs, as they can easily become lodged in their fur or skin. These barbs can cause discomfort, pain, and even infection.

Foxtails can grow up to a certain size, but their shape and structure remain the same, with seeds arranged in spikey clusters.

Foxtails are like tiny, insidious plant pieces that can cause big problems for your furry friend. They're shaped like a torpedo, making it easy for them to penetrate through any opening on your dog's body, such as the throat, nose, ears, and even open sores.

Foxtails are like porcupine quills, once they attach they move deeper by way of the motion and muscle contractions of your pet. A hollow path is left behind where the seed or awl passes, which is usually infected.

The outside of the seed contains a bacterium with enzymes that are used to break down vegetation, which aids the burrowing process. This bacterium can cause infections, and the seed can remain in the body for a long time, causing damage to your dog's vital organs.

Here are some common areas where foxtails can attach to your dog's body:

If a foxtail becomes lodged in your dog's ear, it can cause them to paw at their ear, tilt their head, shake their head, cry, and even move in a stiff manner when they walk.

Diagnosis of foxtail foreign bodies involves a combination of patient history, physical examination, diagnostic testing, biopsies, and diagnostic imaging.

To diagnose a foxtail foreign body, your veterinarian will likely ask about your dog's exposure to foxtails, examine your dog physically, and run various tests.

Diagnostic imaging, such as ultrasound, X-rays, CT scans, MRI, endoscopy, and bronchoscopy, may also be used to locate the foxtail.

In some cases, surgical exploration may be necessary to find the foxtail.

If you find a foxtail on your dog that's easily accessible, you can try to remove it with tweezers, but make sure to remove the whole seed head to avoid leaving any remnants behind.

If the foxtail is embedded in the skin, causing redness or swelling, take your dog to a veterinarian for removal.

Early diagnosis and removal are ideal, as the deeper a foxtail migrates into the body, the more likely surgery will be required to find and remove it.

Your veterinarian will also check your dog's body, including between the toes, inside the mouth, and under the fur, to see if there are any lumps or seeds that have burrowed into the skin.

Prevention is key when it comes to foxtails. To prevent foxtails from attaching to your dog's fur, keep their hair between the toes, ears, and belly trimmed, especially for longhaired dogs, as foxtails can easily attach to long hair.

Being observant of where your dog walks and plays is also crucial. Avoid areas where foxtails grow in the summer months and stick to paved paths as much as possible. If you must walk through areas with foxtails, keep your dog on a leash.

You can also use a safety net that can be attached to a dog's collar to prevent foxtails from getting stuck in their fur. However, remember that this won't protect other parts of the body, so proper grooming is still important.

Here are some tips to help you prevent foxtails:

If you do find a foxtail on your dog, it's essential to remove it as soon as possible. Early removal of the foxtail is important, and you can attempt to remove it with tweezers if it's easily accessible. However, if the foxtail is embedded in the skin or has penetrated the skin, it's best to bring your dog to the vet.

Foxtails are surprisingly common in many areas of the United States, particularly in the West. They can be found in hiking trails, parks, and open grassy fields.

If you live in or visit these areas, be aware that foxtails are also common in flatlands and meadows. These are the perfect conditions for foxtails to grow and thrive.

Even in urban areas, foxtails can still be found in areas where grass is allowed to grow uncontrolled. This means that even in cities, it's possible to encounter foxtails.

Here are some specific places where foxtails are often found:

Remember, foxtails are experts at hitchhiking - they can dry out and stick to anything passing by, including dogs, when the weather is warm.

To prevent injuries from foxtails, it's essential to be observant of where your dog walks and plays, especially during the summer months when foxtails are more common. Avoid areas where foxtails grow, and stick to paved paths as much as possible.

Checking your dog regularly for foxtails is crucial, especially after they've been outside. Grooming your pet carefully, especially after they've been around areas with foxtails, can help prevent foxtails from getting embedded in their skin.

Keeping your dog's hair trimmed, especially between the toes, ears, and belly, can also help prevent foxtails from attaching to their fur. This is particularly important for longhaired dogs.

Here are some steps you can take to prevent foxtails: