To make matters worse, foxtails do not show up on x-rays, so once embedded, they can be challenging to find and remove. Veterinary care for an embedded foxtail can range from a couple hundred dollars (foxtail in the ear without sedation) to around six hundred dollars (foxtail in the nasal passage requiring sedation). If left untreated, foxtails can harm dogs, causing pain, infection, and even internal damage. This will make it less likely that foxtails will become embedded in their fur.īooties will protect paws from foxtails, and you may want to consider investing in the Outfox Field Guard, headgear that prevents foxtails from attaching to your dog's eyes, ears, and mouth (designed and sold by Bay Area local Diane Kostelec). You can also help protect your dog by keeping their fur trimmed short, especially around the paws and ears. Check your dog's fur, paws, and ears for foxtails after every outing, and remove any that you find promptly. If you take your dog to a park or other area where grass grows tall, keep them on a leash and stay on the designated paths. The best way to protect your dog from foxtails is to avoid areas where they are likely to be found. If a foxtail finds its way into your dog’s ear canal, you might see head shaking, head tilting, and pawing at the ears. Redness and inflammation and licking at paws can indicate a foxtail stuck between foot pads. This can be especially dangerous if the foxtail lodges in the dog's throat or lungs.įrequent and violent sneezing is a sign of a foxtail stuck in a dog's nostrils. In addition, foxtails can travel through a dog's body and cause damage to internal organs. The spikes on the grass can introduce bacteria into a dog's body, leading to abscesses or even sepsis. Infection is a common complication of foxtail injuries. In some cases, surgery may be required to remove a foxtail.Įmbedded foxtails can also cause serious health problems if not removed promptly. This is because the grass's spikes are barbed, meaning they can only move in one direction, making it difficult to pull them out. If left untreated, a foxtail can cause serious damage.įoxtails are often difficult to remove once embedded in a dog's skin or fur. Foxtails are commonly found on a dog's paws, between their toes, or in their ears. First, the spikes on the grass can quickly become embedded in a dog's skin or fur, causing pain, irritation, and infection. Why are Foxtails Dangerous to Dogs?įoxtails are dangerous to dogs for a few reasons. Foot traffic helps spread the seeds, as does mowing. But by mid-April, the plant's seed dries up and falls to the ground as the weather grows warmer. When green and still attached to the stem, foxtails are relatively harmless. It thrives in both moist and dry soil, can tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions, and is found nearly everywhere in North America but is most common in the west. Named for its distinctive shape, which resembles a fox's tail, Hordeum jubatum (also known as foxtail barley) is a weed that grows in parks, gardens, along sidewalks, and in city tree wells, fields, and on trails. Here we'll explore what foxtails are, why they are dangerous to dogs, and how to protect your pet. The sharp, spiky grasses known as foxtails can cause serious harm to dogs if not treated promptly. But along with those gorgeous poppies, lupine, iris, and checkerbloom, danger lurks beneath your dog's paws. It's finally stopped raining, and the parks and trails are filled with magnificent wildflower blooms.
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