Insidious foxtails and dogs: How to protect your dog
As the summer begins to come to a close, nature is hard at work preparing for next year’s survival. From now through September, it’s the Foxtails’ peak-risk period for animals – and even humans – due to the shedding of their stiff bristles or tiny-hair-like structures (called awns) on each foxtail seed. It is estimated that each foxtail can produce thousands of seeds!
What are Foxtails?
Several tall, spiked grass varieties sport these distinctive barbed seed heads, or awns. At a distance, or to the untrained eye, the awns may look soft and harmless, resembling a fox’s bushy tail (hence the name “Foxtail”), but for man’s best friend, they are anything but!
Unfortunately, the Western United States, particularly California, experiences the highest number of related animal injuries from Foxtails, including pets and livestock. This is due to their high concentration found in meadows, abandoned lots, ditches, neglected fields, and at the edges of walking trails and pastures. Even in drought-like conditions, the Foxtail continues to thrive!
Foxtail Awns
Initially, in the late winter/early spring, the green grasses and seed heads are soft and harmless. However, once the plant dries out, the hardened seeds can easily drop to the ground, attach to passing fur and skin, or even be inhaled! The true danger lies in the needle-like bristles, which contain microscopic, backward-pointing barbs (awns) that relentlessly penetrate deeper into the soil (for germination), fur, or skin, preventing them from being dislodged or expelled naturally. In other words, the attached awn can only move in one direction.
If not removed immediately, the awns continue to burrow into soft tissues and even vital organs, causing infection (and worse) and requiring surgical removal because the body (whether human, dog, or other animal) cannot break down these destructive barbs or awns.
How to Protect Dogs from Invasive Foxtails
Keep your dog out of overgrown, grassy areas, meadows, flatlands and other places Foxtails are known to inhabit.
After a walk, thoroughly check your dog’s body for any foxtail awns/seeds, including:
- Legs, paws, pads and between the toes.
- Tail, genitals and skin.
- Ears and eyes.
- Nose from inhalation.
- Mouth, gums and tongue.
(Thoroughly check your body as well!)
- If possible, pull all awns out with tweezers. If you cannot remove the awns, take your pet to the veterinarian immediately for assistance.
- Look for and remove any foxtail plants in your yard or around your home.
- Keep your dog’s coat shorter during the summer and fall, especially on the legs and paws, to easily detect attached seeds.
Symptoms of Foxtail Invasion
Even with the best inspection, awns can be missed, especially if they have already become embedded. If you notice any of the following symptoms in your dog, see your veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment.
1. Signs of distress, such as limping or difficulty breathing.
2. Swelling or redness.
3. Constant licking, scratching, or biting.
4. Shaking their head or tilting the head to one side.
5. Discharge around the eyes or nose.
6. Wounds or abscesses.
Learn More: Foxtails: What They Are and Why They’re Harmful to Dogs Foxtails and Dogs Foxtails & Dogs: Why They’re Dangerous Are Foxtails Dangerous to Humans?
