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Foxtails Injury in Dogs
What is Foxtails Injury?
The foxtail seeds will first attach to your dog’s fur as you are out and about on a walk. Once attached, these tough seeds work their way into the flesh and finally the organs. They can be inhaled, and get into your dog's eyes and ears. Foxtails are nasty, and you need to check your dog for their presence after a walk, especially if you notice this somewhat innocuous looking plant. The seeds don’t break down inside your pet’s body either, causing serious infection and even death if left without treatment. Become familiar with this plant and the symptoms it causes; it could save your dog’s life.
While the foxtail plant looks harmless enough, it can cause your dog severe injury as the seeds work their way into your dog’s body system.
Symptoms of Foxtails Injury in Dogs
- Tilting of the head, scratching constantly at the ear (you may not see the seed, it may be too deep for visual identification)
- Limping and swelling around the feet may be caused by foxtail seeds (this area picks up the seeds easily from the ground and is easy to burrow into)
- Lump on the skin that are too painful to touch and your dog cringes when your try to feel it
- Redness, swelling, discharge, pawing at the eyes
- Persistent licking or biting the genital area
- Nasal discharge
- Violent sneezing
- Lethargy
- Lack of appetite
Types
Because the seed only travels forwards when it travels (by muscle movement of the host), it keeps going within the body until it hits an obstacle like a bone. The body cannot break it down making it a tough seed to deal with. If it hits a vital organ it can cause irreparable damage and even death. There are two types of risk associated with foxtails attached to your dog.
- The reaction of your pet’s body to having a foreign object invade the body
- The infections that are caused from the burrowing seed
Causes of Foxtails Injury in Dogs
- Foxtail seeds 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
- Pus goes hand in hand with foxtails
- The outside of the seed contains a bacterium with enzymes that are used to break down vegetation (it is this bacterium that aids the burrowing)
- They can remain in the body for a long time, causing damage to your dog such as in the lungs, heart, brain, liver and vital glands
- The seed penetrates quickly 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
- The seed is shaped like a torpedo to enable easy penetration
Diagnosis of Foxtails Injury in Dogs
The most dangerous time to encounter foxtails are when the plant becomes dry and brittle and the grass heads begin to separate. The seed awns are designed to burrow into hard ground with the seed, which is why they can burrow right through your dog’s soft skin. Removing the visible seeds from your dog’s coat can be done with tweezers but is the seeds attached deep within the ear or eyes, nose throat, or any delicate area, that needs urgent attention. If you suspect that foxtail is the cause of your pet’s distress, take him immediately to your veterinarian for an examination.
Your dog would be extremely lucky only to have one of these nasty seeds attached, and if you do remove any, you want to get the whole thing out not just part of it. Your vet will check every part of your dog, from between his toes, to inside his mouth. He will also feel over your dog’s fur on the body to see if there are any lumps on the skin where the seed has burrowed. Delicate areas such as the genitals and the anus provide easy access points to foxtail seeds.
Treatment of Foxtails Injury in Dogs
While there is not treatment for foxtails penetration as such, removal of any seed that has penetrated the skin and entered into vitals areas can be managed by your veterinarian. Under an anesthetic and surgical procedure, the offending seeds can be removed. Due to the nature of the seed, your dog may experience abscesses that require draining, and will need a course of antibiotics for any infection. The removal of the seed is a minor medical procedure, with after care medication and instructions provided.
Once the seeds are removed, your dog will recover quickly (unless the seed has caused serious harm which your specialist will discuss treatment with you at the time). Observation of your dog is essential to ensure that all embedded seeds are removed. If the signs of distress don’t clear after one to three days, it may mean there are more seeds still in action. Prevention is the best way to keep your dog from harm from foxtails, make yourself familiar with the plant so you can avoid areas where it grows. And if you can remove it immediately if attachment does occur, so much the better.
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Recovery of Foxtails Injury in Dogs
Unless serious damage over time has been done to your dog, he will recover quickly from the embedded seeds. Time and medication to allow healing will be needed, but usually they are so relieved once the seed and the pain is gone, that your pet will bounce back and be his normal self within days. Prevention is the best thing; foxtails should be avoided wherever possible. If they are growing on your land, removal is advised. Avoid any dead grass or dry patch areas. If you live in an area where you know the plant grows, give your dog a thorough examination after a long walk, and if possible keep him on a lead when walking so you know what he gets into. Giving your dog a good brush after a walk may expose some hidden seeds.
Foxtails Injury Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
American Staffordshire Terrier
Five Years
18 found this helpful
18 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Foxtail
My dog had a foxtail between her toe that was embedded on Friday. I brought her to the vet. I pulled out a small piece with tweezers and they got a small piece with a probe. Now a few day’s later she has a small red pump below underneath her foot. Do you think there’s still a piece of foxtail they missed and I should bring her back? Or just irritation from the probe
July 29, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
18 Recommendations
Hello,
This could be irritation from the probe or could be a foxtail piece still in there. If this continues to stay swollen, it would be best for your vet to look at your dog again and make sure that there is nothing still stuck. If it is just inflammation, you should see this start to go down in the next few days.
July 30, 2020
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Pit Bull
Nine Years
24 found this helpful
24 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargy, Cough, Gas, Diarrhea,
3 days ago Pauley ate some fox tails. He had an upset stomach prior to this, but after he ate them he vomited them up. That night he coughed and was gagging as if there was possibly one in his throat. We checked in his mouth, throat, ears, etc and didn't see anything. He is no longer coughing, but is still lethargic.
July 29, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
24 Recommendations
So sorry to hear about your dog. He could have caused damage to his throat when he ate the foxtails. It would be best for your vet to look at him, especially if he is lethargic. They will be able to look in his throat to make sure none are stuck and start him on medication to help him feel much better.
July 30, 2020
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Labrador Retriever
Three Years
20 found this helpful
20 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Violent Sneezing On Site, Sneezing Has Since Become Intermittent And Less Violent
Hi. My dog ran through fox tails the other day and went through a violent sneezing fit there after. He sneezed a lot that night but since (about a day or two) he has had a couple sneezing fits one or two times a day. Should I be worried, should I get him scoped?
July 22, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
20 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
Foxtails can be difficult to find, and if he still has a piece in his nasal passages, his sneezing won't likely improve, and he may have a discharge from the nostril. If his sneezing seems to be improving and he is doing well otherwise, you may be fine to monitor him, and if you see any of the signs described, then having him seen by your veterinarian would be a good idea.
I hope that all goes well for him!
July 27, 2020
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Great Pyrenees, german Sheppard, husky mix
Three Years
10 found this helpful
10 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Limping, Licking
Khaleesi had 2 fox tails stuck in between her toes I was able to remove one and the groomer got the other one. A day after they where removed she isn’t putting any pressure on that foot and is still licking constantly. Is this normal?
July 18, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
10 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Foxtails can be very frustrating, as there may be small bits left that you can't see or they may have embedded themselves in the skin. If she continues to lick at that foot and is not weight-bearing on it, there may be more that you weren't aware of. It may be a good idea to have her seen by your veterinarian, as sometimes they can sedate dogs and do a very thorough check which is not possible when they're awake. I hope that everything goes well for her.
July 18, 2020
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Dachshund
Ten Years
8 found this helpful
8 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Noisy Breathing
My dog may have eaten a fox tail yesterday. She gags here and there, her breathing sounded raspy but sounds normal now. I’m not sure how to tell if she will be okay or not.
July 13, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
8 Recommendations
It is difficult to say with foxtails what signs may start to happen, if they can migrate. If she continues to gag or have breathing problems, it would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian, as they can listen to her heart and, and take X-rays if needed. I hope that everything goes well for her.
July 13, 2020
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Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Titan Lee
5 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Pawing At Ear Con
My dog recently got a foxtail in his ear I tried everything to keep him from shaking his head so I could get it out but head ended up shaking his head continuously and now he's been crying, pawing at his ear and shaking his head. I am taking him to the vet tomorrow to have it removed.
Poodle
Roxie
5 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Sneezing
Loss Of Appetite
Lethargic
My miniature poodle, Roxie, has had foxtails extracted from her ears on 3 occasions. Twice last year and once 2 weeks ago. In the last few days, we noticed that she has violent sneezing attacks a few times a day. Roxie is barely eating and is lethargic. I took her to a vet and they want $575 to put her under to check her nose and throat for foxtails. Could it be anything else or should we go ahead with it before it could get worse (if it is a foxtail)?
GSD mix
Django
8 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
None
I recently moved to an area where foxtails are quite prolific. I had no idea what they were, and even thought they were pretty. Over a period of a few weeks he has eaten a number of the seeds (I hate to admit I saw him doing it and didn't stop him, since I was clueless about the possible consequences). He seems perfectly fine, active happy and no hacking or weird swallowing. Is it possible he could digest them? Or is there some horrific problem brewing that will endanger his life? I'd hate to have major surgery on a dog who's showing no symptoms. At what point should I have his vet evaluate?
Chiuahua
Lulu
5 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Gagging
Cough
I took my dog Lulu to go outside to pee yesterday.We have alot of fox tails in our front yard.Shortly after she coughed 10-12 times in a row like she was trying to hauk up something. She also has coughed every time she has eaten or drank water.....I took her to the vet and they said that she has no signs of swallowing a fox tail. But they have suggested that if I would like they can put Lulu under anesthesia and check her throat for a high price .I'm not sure what to do. She is eating regular with no coughing or anything now.Oh I almost forgot to add that she kept swallowing the first day like she had something in her throat.She has not coughed and is not showing any signs at all now. What should I do. Also would she still be coughing and ......
Labrador Retriever
Bru
10 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hacking
I removed a foxtail from my dogs gums. He has since dry hacked a couple times, but is otherwise acting normal and active. If swallowed, can a dog digest a foxtail or will it burrow through their GI wall somewhere?
