Pesky Foxtails

Maybe you are from California ... maybe you’re not. But if you don’t recognize these weeds, you could be in for an expensive vet bill.

Foxtails are a native weed. They are everywhere! They are on the Bay Shore bike path, at the dog parks, at Fiesta Island, growing in the cracks of your sidewalk, and in your backyard, and they are one of the biggest spring and summertime problems we see in your pets.

Foxtails are shaped like arrows, so they like to go in but won’t come out on their own. They like to go up the nose, in the ears, in the eyes, in the toes, and pretty much anywhere they want. Once the foxtail is “in,” they migrate and cause pain and infection.

Symptoms of foxtails really depend on the location. In the eye, they cause severe squinting and ocular discharge. You may see your pet aggressively rubbing its face. In the ear, you will see a head tilt, rubbing, and whining (dogs), and if left without treatment, you will start to see discharge from the ears. Pets also like to stick their head in a bush and get one up in the nose. This will be followed by a violent episode of sneezing and often times rubbing at the face. After a little time (hours), the sneezing may slow down.Don’t be fooled because the foxtail is still in there; they have just acclimated to the sensation of it being in the nose. The last common spot is between the toes; it typically looks like a blister with some drainage in the middle. Your pets will lick excessively at this, so it can be mistaken for an allergy.

Tips for preventing foxtails: First, just avoid them. Don’t walk through bushes or off trails. Keep your property maintained and free of weeds. For long-haired dogs, have the feet clipped (poodle feet). You may think this looks funny, but the long hair on the toes acts like Velcro. Keeping them short in the summer makes it harder for foxtails to get into the feet.

If you think your dog or cat has a foxtail, this is urgent. Your pet should be seen within 24 hours. So, you most likely do not need to go to the ER, but you do need to get to your regular doctor in a timely manner. The sooner you come, the better chance we have of finding it and getting rid of it!

Happy hiking!