Beware Fox Tails!!!

[Breanna]

I'm sure most of you already know about the dangers of fox tails. I did too, and I was careful to check Crush's paws after walking the trail and visiting my parent's house (whom have fox tails in the yard). I clipped her whole body (not very short) to keep weeds away. Well, it was not enough. Two nights ago I noticed blood on her foot. I looked and there was a big, black and purple bump. A lot of blood was released and I soaked it in warm salt water. It looked better the next morning. This morning it did not look so good so I took her to the vet. The vet receptionists were pretty certain that fox tails were the culprit right away. Once the vet shaved the fur all off I could see that the bump was bigger than I thought. The vet took Crush back, and five minutes later returned with two big pieces of fox tails. I could not believe that I didn't see them. I had imagined that they would be sticking out and very obvious, like the pictures I've seen online. I think that she had been running around at my parent's house, it wedged into her skin, and broke off. I shaved her feet really short now so that all the nooks and crannies are visible. I wanted to share this and the pictures for anyone who lives around or vacations where there are fox tails. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Don't be surprised that you couldn't see them; they often burrow into the skin where even the vets who do the surgery to remove them can't find them. We had a member here whose dog had to go back for more surgery after the vet missed one or two during the first surgery. They also can get inside noses and just about any part of the body, so while it's a good idea to keep the feet short and inspect them, it still won't prevent foxtails. Boots for hiking would be a better preventative, and the Outfox Hood for the face, if you spend a lot of time walking in areas where there foxtails. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here are some links to Nancie's blogs about Gracie's surgeries for foxtails. 

Gracie Doodle is in Surgery

Gracie Doodle Goes Back for More Surgery

[Breanna]

Ugh, this is almost enough to leave her at home when visiting my parent's house. She has a great time over there, but I'm going to be pulling my hair out with worry now. 

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I know very well what you just experienced.  The same thing happened to Gracie doodle about 5 years ago.  The fox tails burrow in and continue into the system.  Gracie's paw was so infected she had pus coming out and couldn't walk.  Her paw was huge and hot.  What the vet does is take very a thin probing scissor tool and inserts it into the point of entry if it is visible.  Otherwise, slits open the blister or bump and enters through that.  The foxtails do not show up in any type of x-ray or tests so it is just trial and error.  They probe, clamp down, pull out.  If they don't have anything they just continue to do it until hopefully they clamp on to the fox tail.  Problem is though, the fox tails can make turns and go into places beyond their reach...usually if you don't seek immediate treatment.  They also have been known in rare cases to continue through the body and end up in the lung, heart or brain...you don't want to know the rest.  Foxtails are very, very serious and something to be completely avoided during the season. Our experience was very expensive and after that, we purchased pet insurance!!!

[Lynda Kamrath]

I remember about Gracie's foxtail problem, and I am diligent about checking our dogs paws every time we are out on the trail.  Luckily stickers are much easier to locate than foxtails, but there are plenty of both in our area.  Foxtails also get up the nostrils and are quite hard to get out.  Sneezing dogs need to see the vet.  Ears are another area they like to hide.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am glad Crush is OK now and that this is one danger we don't have.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I HATE FOXTAILS! HATE HATE HATE One of California's golden little secrets!    Ned came to us as a puppy with foxtails in both ears and in his throat that caused infection.  Smugly, since we had no foxtails in our yard I thought this was exceptionally horrible.  Now that the drought has really hit and we are limited on our watering, we do get foxtails in our yard and my kids yards are full of them.  Even when you try to be careful, they can wedge their way into their paws, ears, nose, throat, eyes etc. I am not smug any longer!    I am so sorry for Crush.

[Breanna]

How did you know they were in the ears? She has been shaking her head a few times a day, not constantly, but I should have addressed it at the vet today. I didn't know that was a sign until after I got home. I'm hoping they will check her ears tomorrow without an additional exam fee. 

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

If you are at the vet they should not be making any additional charges to examine the ears.  Only if they discover something, then there would be an additional fee to treat it.  She could be shaking her head for lots of reasons.  You will notice that usually when a dog gets up after sleeping or laying down they shake their heads. They always seem to do it as if to let them be free after laying on them.  Your vet should be able to take his scope and look in the ear.  It only takes a second.  If she had foxtails in her ears she would be constantly shaking her head.  Gracie also had a Mexican Feather Grass seed in her nose and she was constantly sneezing.  Another trip to the vet and another huge bill...by then I had insurance...yay!  Needless to say, every last Mexican Feather Grass that we planted in our yard got ripped out.  They were so pretty and we only enjoyed them for one season until Gracie's tennis ball when in and she went after it!!

[Breanna]

She had one in her ear! They told me they would check it for free, I brought her in this morning, and sure enough she pulled one out. They didn't charge me to take it out, she only charged me for some ear wash to use after swimming. Now that I get home I wish I would have had them check her nose! Silly me. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm so glad you brought her back! 

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Good!  I'm glad they checked her ears!  I don't think you need to worry about the nose.  She would be sneezing her head off if she had one!  Wow...you are lucky to have found them all.  Really make you hate foxtails.  When ever I see them I get very "hateful" towards them!!!