Foxtails
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Our guide has been authored by qualified veterinarians, but should not be taken as substitute for medical advice or professional veterinary consultation. If your pet displays any unusual symptoms, we strongly advise seeking guidance from a veterinarian
Understanding Foxtails in dogs
Foxtails are grain seeds wrapped in stiff, long bristles. They’re often found in open fields but also in urban surroundings on the side of the road, especially in the spring. The sharp structure of foxtails and other grass seeds makes them dangerous to dogs because they might penetrate the dog’s body cavities (ears, eyes, nostrils) or skin when dogs play outdoors. They may also cling to the dog’s thick fur. Foxtails might cause discomfort and even lead to severe medical problems.
Kai's story
Kai is a large, curious Husky who loves roaming the nearby yard of wild vegetation. One spring evening, he began sneezing nonstop. His owners initially thought the A/C was to blame, but then noticed blood from Kai’s nostril in addition to a drop in his energy level. The owners rushed Kai to the vet, where an exam showed a high fever and several foxtails stuck in the Husky’s thick fur, with bumps under the skin. The vet suspected that an additional foxtail was stuck in Kai’s nose and performed a rhinoscopy under anesthesia, removing two foxtails from his nose and over 20 (!) from under the skin. After removing the foxtails, Kai swiftly recovered but could no longer roam the yard without supervision.
Foxtails's Causes: Uncovering Triggers
Dogs may collect foxtails when sniffing grassy environments or spending time around them. This occurs more often at the end of spring when the grasses are in bloom.
Recognizing Foxtails: Signs and Symptoms
- Ears: We’ll notice persistent ear shaking, possibly accompanied by discharge or pain upon touch.
- Nostrils: Constant sneezing, sometimes accompanied by nasal discharge or blood, coughing, and throat clearing. If the foxtail enters the lung and causes infection, the dog might suffer from lethargy, fever, and difficulty breathing.
- Digestive system: Gagging and throat clearing, attempting to expel the foreign body.
- Eyes: Signs of irritation, frequent blinking, itching, discharge, and inflammation.
- Skin: Under-skin swelling, sometimes with abscesses, typically in the sides of the body and dog’s paws. In rare cases, foxtails may penetrate the abdominal area, causing severe infection, lethargy, and vomiting.
The above symptoms heavily depend on the body area in which the foxtail penetrated.
Foxtails Diagnosis: How it's Identified
Suspicion of foxtail penetration arises when the above symptoms appear, especially during the relevant season. In such cases, diagnostic tests will be performed, sometimes under anesthesia:
- Otoscopy- ear examination.
- Eye examination focused on the area behind the third eyelid, where foxtails are often found.
- Surgical opening of areas with swelling and discharge.
- When foxtails penetrate the nostrils and airways, a rhinoscopy examination is performed, in which a camera is inserted into body cavities.
- Endoscopy examination in cases of foxtail with throat or esophagus penetration.
- Ultrasound imaging can help detect foxtails under the skin, abdominal area, and chest.
- CT imaging is also helpful, mainly when foxtails are under the skin or in the chest and abdominal area.
Treating Foxtails: Options and Approaches
The treatment depends on the location of the foxtail:
- External foxtails in the ears and eyes can be removed during examination.
- Below-the-skin foxtails require surgical removal following disinfection.
- Foxtails are removed from the nostrils, throat, and esophagus using a specialized tool (alligator forceps) and a camera (endoscopy/rhinoscopy).
- Foxtails must be removed surgically from the lungs. These cases often involve significant tissue infection, and the damaged tissue must also be removed, sometimes leading to a lobectomy.
- Rare cases of abdominal penetration also demand surgical procedures to locate and remove the foxtail and any infected tissue.
Foxtails: Surprising Facts
Hundreds of cases of foxtail penetration are recorded each year in areas rich in grasses between March and June.
Foxtails’ structure allows them to attach to animals and travel long distances to spread grass seeds. This is why they also stick to and penetrate deeper into the skin.
Foxtails are most common in Western states but can be found throughout the U.S.
Vet's Tip: Dealing with Foxtails
Don’t be tempted to remove a foxtail partially sticking out of the skin yourself. Some of it will likely remain under the skin, leading to infection and an abscess and making it more challenging to locate and remove. Visit a clinic to ensure the foxtail is entirely removed.
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Latest in Research and Treatments
Foxtails can penetrate the airways and cause severe damage unless diagnosed and treated early. This is challenging because symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, and discharge can occur for various reasons that have nothing to do with foxtails. Rhinoscopy (inserting a camera through the dog’s nose) can help diagnose the issue, but that method’s also relatively invasive and not always helpful. Recent studies show that CT imaging offers a more definitive diagnosis before taking invasive or surgical procedures.
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