Last weekend the dogs and I went hiking. A little while after we got home, I found a foxtail stuck to the living room area rug. After finding it, I made sure to go over both of the dogs thoroughly to ensure we hadn’t tracked any other hitch hikers into the house. For most people, the word “foxtail” doesn’t conjure up images of horror. But ask any unfortunate pet owner whose dogs have had a run in with foxtails, and you’ll most likely hear at least a few horror stories. They may look innocent enough, but foxtails can present some very real dangers to pets.
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What, exactly, is a foxtail?
Photo by NY State IPM Program at Cornell University from New York, USA
(Creative Commons Attribution 2.0)
A foxtail is a dried spikelet of grass that surrounds the seeds of some types of grass. They are said to resemble the tail of a fox, hence the name. They are sometimes also referred to as “spear grass”. What can make foxtails so hazardous is that they have tiny barbs that can easily catch onto clothing, hair, skin, and fur.
Because of the way the barbs are designed, if not caught quickly enough, foxtails can migrate deeper into the skin of animals. They are sharp enough to penetrate tissue. The barbs (much like a fish hook) are shaped so that the grass can easily be pushed forwards but cannot easily move backwards.
Foxtail injuries…
Foxtail injuries are most common in dogs, but they can harm other species (including humans) as well. In dogs, foxtails commonly get caught in ears, noses, and eyes. They can embed themselves into the membranes of pet’s ear drums, nasal passages, and eyes. Foxtails embedded in the skin can cause abscesses. They are notorious for getting stuck between toes, and have even been found inside dogs’ lungs! Foxtails can get caught inside dogs genitals, anal glands and colon. They are often sharp enough to be able to penetrate through the abdominal and/or chest cavities and organs. Foxtails can lodge inside pets’ gums, lips, tonsils, throats, and digestive tracts. If not found and removed promptly, foxtails can cause serious injury, infection, and sometimes even death.
Here are some general tips for preventing injury and dealing with foxtails…
- If foxtails grow in your yard, mowing them down is not enough. If your lawn mower doesn’t collect grass clippings for easy disposal, it’s important to rake or otherwise remove cut foxtails from your yard. They don’t have to be attached to the living grass to get stuck to your pet.
- Keep your pet well groomed. If their coat is tangled and dirty, it can make it harder to spot foxtails stuck to the fur or skin. Foxtails can get caught in matted fur and migrate to the skin. If possible, trim the fur on the bottom of your dog’s feet and around his/her genitals and butt.
- Thoroughly check over your pet after he/she spends time indoors. Pay close attention to between the toes, the anal and genital areas, inside ears, around the face, and the armpits.
- Also be sure to check your own clothing/skin after spending time outdoors. Foxtails brought into the house on your clothing could still pose a danger to pets.
- Keep an eye on the general health of your pet. Look out for any swelling, draining wounds, eye, nose, or ear discomfort, or any other unusual symptoms. Foxtails between the toes or stuck to paw pads or legs may cause limping. Take your pet to the vet if he/she has been exposed to foxtails and is displaying any unusual behavior. Your pets’ symptoms or injuries may not seem that bad, but foxtails can be deadly and the sooner they are removed the better.
- If your dog is displaying any unusual symptoms, make sure to mention to your vet that he/she has had contact with foxtails. Depending on where the plant is lodged, symptoms can vary and may resemble symptoms of other conditions.
Knowledge is power!
Hopefully you and your pet won’t ever experience a foxtail horror story of your own, but foxtail injuries are relatively common and it never hurts to be aware of potential issues. Comment below, have you or your pet ever been injured by a foxtail?
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