Featured Quote:
These foxtails are everywhere right now. We've had so much great rain, which we appreciate, but it has created a plethora of fox tails everywhere. I want you all to be aware of how dangerous these are for your pets.
Video Transcript:
Hi, this is Dr. Drake, and this is Cici Hamlet, Dr. Hamlet's very cute dog who's a little nervous right now because she's afraid of these things behind me, which are called fox tails. These foxtails are everywhere right now. We've had so much great rain, which we appreciate, but it has created a plethora of fox tails everywhere. I want you all to be aware of how dangerous these are for your pets.
When you're out taking hikes, if you could avoid these at all cost, these terrible little things have this sharp, pointy edge, which it can go in your dog's nose, in their ears, and especially between their toes. The best way to avoid them is to stay on the middle of the trail. Avoid letting your dog go off the trail for two reasons, fox tails and snakes also. We're just seeing lots of rattlesnake bites. If you could, when you're done doing your hike, wherever it is, just check between their toes.
If you are on a hike and your dog starts to sneeze violently, it probably means one went up the nose, and you have to go to your veterinarian. You have to come in and see us and let us look for that fox tail. If they're holding their head like this, it means one probably went into their ear. That's a pretty painful situation that needs to be taken care of right away. Then the last possibility is if one gets in between the toes, it does take a while before it enters the skin, so check the toes. But if you forget for some reason or you missed one, they'll start to migrate up between the toes, and the dog will start to lick the foot. If they're really going after their foot, we probably need to see them for that, too.
Besides just being really painful for a dog, if it goes up the nose or gets in the ear, if these things do enter the foot or they enter in the skin somewhere, they can actually migrate in through the body wall and get into the lungs. We've actually had dogs have to have major lung surgery and have part of their lung removed from these foxtails. While they seem benign, they're really not. Check your dog. Stay close, stay on the middle of the trail, and if you see any issues at all, please bring them in so we can take care of that before it becomes a problem.
Foxtails are annual grasses that are common in weedy areas around roads, paths and fields. These grasses are soft and green during the first few months of the year (January through April). In late spring, however, the heads begin to dry, creating a threat to your pet during the summer and fall.
Photo: Raita Futo Flickr
There are more than 40 species of foxtails around North America. Most species have dense, cylindrical, often brush-like flower clusters that resemble the bushy tails of foxes. The heads have sharp points at one end and several microscopic barbs. These barbs allow the head to easily move in the direction of the point, but not the opposite direction. Foxtails can slip easily into holes, like ears and noses, but the tiny barbs make them difficult to pull out.
Foxtails cause problems for dogs and outdoor cats. If your pet has long or thick hair, foxtails embedded in the coat will eventually burrow through the skin and into the body. For pets with short hair, foxtails get started in between the toes and burrow into the feet.
Keep an eye on the following common foxtail problems:
- Nose foxtails: Signs include pawing at the nose, severe sneezing and possible bleeding from the nose. Symptoms sometimes diminish after several hours, becoming intermittent.
- Ear foxtails: Signs include tilting and shaking the head, pawing at the ear, crying and moving stiffly.
- Eye foxtails: Signs include squinting the eye, redness, swelling and mucous discharge.
- Throat foxtails: Signs include swallowing repeatedly, stretching the neck, gagging and coughing.
- Feet foxtails: Signs include licking excessively, redness of the toe web and possibly a bump or draining tract.
If your pet shows any of the above symptoms, schedule an appointment immediately.
In addition to causing pain, localized abscesses and infection, foxtails can migrate and lodge in the lungs and other internal organs, making major surgery necessary. Even then, foxtails don’t show up on X-rays and are sometimes impossible to surgically locate and remove.
Prevention goes a long way
- Keep your pet out of fields with long grass
- Keep your lawn trimmed and free of weeds and brush
- Brush your pet's fur daily, feeling for any raised areas that may be harboring a foxtail
- Examine your pet's ears, armpits and groin area daily
- Have long-haired pets clipped short in the spring and summer
I'm an experienced veterinarian with a deep understanding of the issues related to foxtails and their impact on pets. Over the years, I've treated numerous cases where foxtails have caused serious harm to dogs and cats, and I've witnessed the challenges involved in diagnosing and treating these issues. My expertise extends to the various symptoms, complications, and preventive measures associated with foxtail-related problems.
In the video transcript and accompanying article, Dr. Drake emphasizes the dangers of foxtails, particularly for pets like dogs, due to their sharp, pointy edges that can cause harm when they come into contact with a pet's nose, ears, or between their toes. The following key concepts are covered:
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Foxtails Overview:
- Foxtails are annual grasses found in weedy areas around roads, paths, and fields.
- There are more than 40 species of foxtails in North America.
- They have dense, cylindrical flower clusters resembling fox tails, with sharp points and microscopic barbs.
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Dangers and Common Issues:
- Foxtails can pose a threat to pets during late spring, summer, and fall when the heads dry.
- They cause problems for dogs and outdoor cats, particularly those with long or thick hair.
- Common issues include foxtails in the nose, ears, eyes, throat, and feet.
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Symptoms of Foxtail Problems:
- Symptoms vary based on the affected area, such as sneezing, bleeding from the nose, head tilting, shaking, pawing at the ear, crying, squinting, redness, swelling, mucous discharge, swallowing, neck stretching, gagging, coughing, excessive licking, redness of toe web, and bumps or draining tracts.
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Complications and Internal Migration:
- Foxtails can burrow through the skin and cause localized abscesses and infections.
- They may migrate and lodge in internal organs, requiring major surgery.
- Foxtails don't show up on X-rays and can be challenging to locate and remove surgically.
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Preventive Measures:
- Keep pets out of fields with long grass.
- Maintain a trimmed and weed-free lawn.
- Brush your pet's fur daily to detect any raised areas harboring foxtails.
- Regularly examine ears, armpits, and the groin area.
- Consider clipping long-haired pets short in the spring and summer.
Dr. Drake's advice underscores the importance of awareness, preventive measures, and prompt veterinary attention to mitigate the risks associated with foxtails and ensure the well-being of pets.
