Mouth and Throat. In Your Dog’s Eyes. A swollen, red, squinting eye may indicate that a grass awn has found its way into that delicate area. The most common points of entry for foxtails on a dog are through the tender orifices like their nose, eyes, ears, and genitals. Empower Her. Foxtails can dive deep into a dog’s nasal cavity or ear canal within seconds. Animals Affected Dogs and cats Overview Foxtails, or grass awns, are arrow-shaped stickers that are produced by some types of grasses that have gone to seed. Saturday 8:00am - 12:00 noon, Spring Has Sprung – Along with Seasonal Threats to your Pets’ Health, There’s a Lot More than Meets the Eye with Regards to Your Dog’s Dental Health, Bentley Memorial Fund: Providing Veterinary Assistance to Those in Need. Foxtail plants can be risky for your dog. Environmental or food allergies and damp ears can also cause ear infections. If you notice your dog incessantly scratching her ears, take a look. It protects the dog’s nose and ears (and mouth – often dogs swallow the stickers). PART OF WILD SKY MEDIA | FAMILY & PARENTING, Web MD: Healthy Dogs: Foxtail Grass and Your Dog, The Whole Dog Journal: Beware of Foxtail Seeds This Summer, Dr. Barchas: Foxtails (Grass Awns) in Cats and Dogs. Ear infections are common this time of year, and we at Powell Veterinary Service are seeing quite a few cases. Removing foxtails before they become embedded is best; once a foxtail has embedded itself in your pet you’ll need to take him to the vet to get it removed. Our Castle Rock veterinarians see a lot of cases of foxtails in Colorado dogs during the late summer – particularly foxtails in dogs’ ears. If you see a foxtail, pull it out with your fingers. There’s a lot you can do to keep your dog safe from foxtails. Be Her Village. If you can see a foxtail in your dog’s eye or even suspect one, take him to the vet immediately. When Your Dog Gets One. For example, a foxtail within the ear canal causes head shaking, under the skin a draining tract, or within the lung, labored breathing and coughing. They cause irritation, which causes your furry friend to scratch and rub on the ear. If not removed these foxtails can travel up your dog’s leg, creating an infected lump that can result in serious harm to your pet. Luckily they are easy to remove! Dogs with foxtails in their feet may limp. Foxtails carry grass seeds. If it is deep in the ear canal, Do Not try to remove it yourself, as you can push it deeper into the ear canal and perhaps rupture the ear drum. You may not be able to see the foxtail since it may have become embedded deep within the ear. Usually once a foxtail burrows and hides it takes a trained hand to remove it, so address it early on before it becomes a problem. At home, keeping the grass short will prevent foxtails from developing seeds and thus prevent your dog from picking them up. RISK: Chronic irritation, infections, eardrum damage, deafness. These are quite dangerous as they could cause a rupture in the eardrums. The barbed seed heads of the foxtail plant can work their way into any part of your dog or cat, from the nose to between the toes and inside the ears, eyes, and mouth.. He or she will likely thoroughly clean the ear and send you home with cleaning materials and antibiotics. Foxtails can also enter a dog’s body through the mouth and lungs if inhaled. Once there it can work its way into your pet’s body and migrate, causing infection and serious damage under his skin or in his brain, lungs, heart or other organs. TREATMENT: With a calm dog, the vet will use a numbing agent on the eye and remove the foxtail. Foxtails can become imbedded anywhere on a pet’s body but it is common to see foxtails embedded in between toes, in ear canals, and in nostrils. What Can You Do if You Get Bit by a Snapping Turtle. EMAIL: powellvs1@what-wire.com, WORKING HOURS: Look inside to see if you can see any sign of a foxtail. The Outfox Field Guard is sort of like a beekeeper’s bonnet for dogs who are going to work or walk outside in a foxtail-rich environment. Excessive head shaking is the most obvious sign when a Foxtail seed is inside the ear. If your pet has a foxtail in his nose, look for it. Has your dog been scratching her ears or shaking her head? WORKING HOURS: Monday-Friday 08:00am - 5:00pm If you live in an area with lots of weeds and tall grasses or frequently visit them on your outings with you dog, it will be difficult to prevent contact with foxtails and other sharp grasses. Tags: dog health, pets health, recognizing signs in pets, Vet in Kersey CO, PHONE: 970-352-9164 These nuisances can get into your pup’s ears and work their way down deep where they are difficult to remove. They evolved to embed in the skin and be spread by animals. These symptoms may be accompanied by a nasal discharge. Pay attention to your dog PHONE: 970-352-9164 May 24, 2013 - Explore Dogfond.com's board "Foxtails in Dogs", followed by 108 people on Pinterest. If you suspect that your dog has been exposed to foxtails, check him over carefully to see if he’s picked up any of the seeds. The doctor may also take a swab of the infected ear to determine the microorganism causing the infection so it can be treated appropriately. A dog with a foxtail in his nose may sneeze frequently and paw at his nose. And whether your dog has long or short fur, regular grooming can help keep them safer. This plant has a sharp, V-shaped seed that can find its way into your dog’s ears, nose, coat and paws. The foxtail … Foxtail in Dog Ears. Many ear infections are due to foreign bodies such as foxtails, arrow grass, or plant awns—all the little sharp grasses that stick to your clothing and your dog’s fur. Foxtail is a grassy weed that grows mainly throughout the western United States, but may be found in other places as well. Thus, the foxtail is a type of diaspore or plant dispersal unit. The ear could become infected, and the eye on the same side may look abnormal as well. Here’s a breakdown of what the foxtail plant is and why it’s dangerous for your dog. How Long Does a Tick Stay Attached to Its Host? Be sure to get the whole thing, since any bits left behind can still cause trouble for your pet.