Foxtails travel backward. This makes them perforate and dangerous for pets as they can infiltrate internal organs. This post explores foxtails in a dogs ears, nose, paw pad, throat and skin, and the symptoms the symptoms they cause. We also explore treatment and preventative measures. Foxtails in mammals – Foxtail is a term used to characterize species of grasses. They’re common along paths and dumps. They grow on salt marshes, meadows, and flatlands. Typically, foxtails will grow throughout the winter and spring. When they mature, a seed will form in the top. This is where the foxtail gets its name. With the start of summer, the head of the seed becomes brittle and breaks off.
With time the compact foxtail begins to break into tiny segments. A sharp fingernail coated with barbs are held by each awn. This is when the trouble starts. They’ll experience symptoms like those discussed below.
Infections caused by foxtails – they have a propensity to cause the dog to show these symptoms. The seriousness of the symptoms depends upon how deep the awns have penetrated, the number of awns, as well as the entrance point. Foxtail symptoms include: Excessive sneezing from foxtails being in the nose. Dog is shaking its head vigorously from a foxtail in the ear, bumps on the skin which are painful to touch, Pawing at the eyes, visible abscesses, Discharges in the entrance point on skin, bacterial infections, and areas vulnerable to foxtails. A rapid stroke of a foxtail with your palms may help understand why they’re dangerous for dogs.
The barbs though microscopic shows how they allow for movement in only one direction. This is the same way the foxtail behaves if on the dogs skin or in the throat. There are several specific parts susceptible to the awns. These are: The paws of puppies are quite susceptible to foxtail injuries. They may easily get in between their toes and once they do, the flexing movement which results from the dogs walking pushes the foxtails deeper into the toes. From there it gets to the skin and keeps being driven further inside. Infection will include limping, swelling and the dog licking the region constantly. Foxtails in the nose and lungs – since puppies love sniffing at things, it’s easy to get foxtails in the dogs nose. Signs that the awns have gotten into the nose include sneezing and intense nasal discharge. Because there’s a cavity in the ear, foxtails can easily get into the puppies ears especially since they play and roll in areas where there are dry lawns.
