As we enjoy the Sonoma County sunshine, it’s time to talk about those foxtails that come with all the gorgeous spring and summer scenery.
If you’ve never dealt with a foxtail before, consider yourself lucky. For most of us dog owners, these painful troublemakers are an unfortunate part of living in our beautiful area. Foxtails are barbed seed heads from certain awned grasses—like wild barley, brome, oat, and needlegrass—designed to burrow into the soil but just as eager to latch onto fur. Their wispy, arrow-like shape makes them expert hitchhikers, and worse, they don’t just stay on the surface.
What Makes Foxtails So Dangerous?
Foxtails are designed by nature to travel—and your pet is just an unwitting taxi! The problem is that these seeds can work their way into your pet’s body through the feet (between toes), ears, nose, eyes, or any other opening. Sometimes they will even enter healthy skin over the abdomen or chest. When they get inside the body, they continue to move forward, causing discomfort and potentially causing serious issues if they reach vital organs.
Prevention: Keep Those Foxtails Away
- Yard Smart: Keep your grass short and mow BEFORE those weeds grow tall and develop seeds. Remember, if you let it grow too long before cutting, you’re just spreading the foxtails, not eliminating them.
- Post-Adventure Check: After outdoor activities, take a few minutes to check your dog thoroughly, especially between the toes and in other crevices where foxtails love to hide. Running a brush over your pet can be helpful as well.
- Summer Trim: Consider giving your long-haired pup a shorter summer cut, particularly around the feet. This makes it harder for foxtails to attach and easier for you to spot them.
- Gear Up: For serious protection, try those ventilated fabric head covers that keep foxtails out of ears, eyes, and noses while still letting your dog see. Booties work too, but a thorough foot check is often easier.
Warning Signs: When to Worry
Watch for these tell-tale signs:
- Head shaking or ear scratching (ear foxtails)
- Squinting or pawing at the face (eye foxtails)
- Sudden sneezing or pawing at the nose (nasal foxtails)
- Round swellings or small draining holes on the skin (embedded foxtails)
What to Do If You Suspect a Foxtail
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s time to give your vet a call. For foot foxtails that aren’t causing major discomfort, try soaking in warm water with Epsom salts 2-3 times daily until you can get in to see your vet. This soaking can sometimes help reveal the foxtail’s location.
For eye, ear, or nose foxtails, or if your pet is in significant discomfort, please don’t wait. Call your vet right away. If you think your pet may have a foxtail in his/her eye or nose and it is after hours, we recommend you take your pet to an after-hours ER.
We at Memorial Beach Vet Hospital wish you and your fur babies a foxtail-free season but if your pet needs care, please give us a call. We are here to help you!
Memorial Beach Vet Hospital
15 Healdsburg Avenue
Healdsburg
https://www.memorialbeachvet.com/ or call: (707) 433-6916
