With the start of the summer season, plants are sprouting left and right, including one annual grass that releases what is called Foxtails. But these seeds pose some serious risks to our pups’ paws, eyes, legs, and noses!
What are Foxtails?
Unlike their name sounds, no these aren’t the fuzzy tails of cute wild foxes but the ends of certain grasses that sprout over the summertime. Their fuzzy tail-like ends contain individual seeds that when dried out, disperse and they are uniquely designed to latch on and burrow deeper onto an object with each movement. Since our pups love to romp around in the grass, they are at great risk of picking up these prickly hitchhikers!
Foxtails can be found in areas such as grasslands, roadsides, marshes, and most trails. If you plan on taking your puppy out with you for some hiking and exploring, these seeds pose a serious risk to your pup’s health if you aren’t aware of the symptoms and quick treatments.
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How to Prevent Foxtails in Your Puppy
As with many things related to puppy care, prevention is key, so making sure that you are consistently checking your puppy for foxtails will help prevent a more serious health issue down the road!
During foxtail season which is typically the months of May through December, check your puppy’s coat, paws and in between their toes, nose canal, mouth and throat, their ears, and their belly and legs. Run your fingers through their coat, brush them regularly, or get them groomed in order to find and remove foxtails as often as possible.
But the best method is avoiding areas where there are foxtails altogether! Keep a lookout for foxtails and try to keep your puppy from playing near or running through tall grassy areas!
What are the Symptoms of Foxtails
After visiting a location where there are foxtails growing, monitor your puppy for any changes in their behavior! These are the telltale signs to look out for:
Paws:
If you notice that your puppy is excessively licking their paws or in between their toes or if you notice swelling or any small bubbles in their skin, that could indicate that there is a foxtail under your pup’s skin or stuck in the surrounding fur, causing irritation.
Nose:
Your puppy may exhibit excessive sneezing, pawing at the nose, or even a runny (sometimes can be bloody) nose which indicates that there might be a foxtail that has burrowed into their nasal cavity.
Eyes:
Look out for excessive tearing, pawing at the eyes, squinting, or if their eye appears glued shut for a possible foxtail in your pup’s eye.
Ears:
Foxtails can also burrow into your pup’s ears so be aware if they start to exhibit head tilting or excessive head shaking. Also try to look into their ear to see if there is any redness, discharge, or strange odor.
Mouth:
You might notice your pup will gag, cough, or show exaggerated swallowing movements to show that they are uncomfortable and possibly have a sore throat. Make sure to check your pup’s mouth for foxtails that could have lodged onto their tongue or back of their throat.
Belly:
Check your pup’s delicate belly for any foxtails. You may not notice them right away but keep a lookout for any redness, sores or swelling.
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How to Remove Foxtails
Help prevent foxtails from becoming more of a danger for your pup by checking their fur regularly and immediately removing any that may be stuck. Grooming your puppy on a regular basis can help combat against foxtails!
If a foxtail has burrowed into your pup's skin or pad, they can be removed with a pair of blunt-tip tweezers. Gently extract the foxtail by pulling on the exposed end without breaking it. Any smaller pieces left behind can continue to burrow into your pup and will be harder to extract. Don’t use your fingers as this can spread germs into the wound and the foxtail could accidentally poke you!
Definitely consider taking your pup to your veterinarian to help extract the foxtails and to properly clean the wound especially if they are lodged in more difficult areas to access like the eyes, ears, and nostrils, so they can safely remove and properly clean any wounds to avoid infections. If you already removed the foxtail on your own at home, keep an eye on it for any signs of infection and continue to monitor your pup’s behavior for any abnormal changes!
Alongside hot weather safety for your puppy, foxtails are another summertime concern that you should regularly check your puppy for especially if you live in an area where they are prone to grow! Many new owners are not aware of foxtails and the risks they pose to their pups’ well-being. Not knowing the proper precautions, symptoms, and how to treat foxtails can potentially lead to a serious health concern later on and not to mention, cause your puppy to experience unnecessary discomfort and pain. Help spread the word to other new puppy owners by sharing this blog!
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