Foxtails
What are foxtails?
Foxtails are seed pods that grow at the end of a grass common in California and other western states. They have serrated ends, like the quills of an arrow.
What they do...
During the summer, foxtails become dry and hard. They readily become caught in your pets' coat. If they are not combed or groomed out, they may penetrate the skin, and once inside, muscle movement encourages the foxtail to migrate. The barbs on the foxtail prevent it from moving backward, thus the only direction they travel is deeper into the body. Foxtails have on occasion been found in lungs, the abdomen, and even the spinal cord.
So now it's in the body...
And the body fights back. The immune system tries to repel foreign bodies, but the foxtail's shape prevents ejection. The area becomes swollen and irritated.
And if that wasn't enough...
Foxtails carry bacteria. Thus they will cause an infection where they lodge. If not cleared up, this infection can spread to the blood stream, causing generalized malaise.
What to look for
While foxtails can enter the skin anywhere, the most common areas are between the toes or in the ears.
Ears : If they have entered through the ears, your pet will scratch at the ear and shake her head. This is a similar symptom to other ear problems, so the only way to verify is for your vet to look into the ears.
Skin : At first, there will be a small hole where the foxtail has entered, and some local pain. Since many animals are rather stoic, you may not notice anything is wrong. Swelling soon starts, and if the foxtail is near the skin, you may see pus coming out. However, as the foxtail migrates, it is not uncommon for the original hole to seal over as the skin re-grows.
Treatment
The only cure is to remove the foxtail, and to start antibiotics to clear the infection. If the area is not too painful, and the foxtail is near the skin, it may be possible to remove it while your pet is awake. However it usually is necessary to surgically explore the area, and this requires general anesthesia. Often, a drain is placed to allow the pus to drain while the antibiotics work to clear the infection. Otherwise, the pus can build up under the skin, aggravating the problem.
Are cats and dogs at equal risk?
No. Cats are more fastidious, and tend to groom the foxtails out before they penetrate the skin. Also, long haired animals are more likely to have problems - more hair means they are going to gather more foxtails, and make it harder to remove them.
Prevention
In many areas, foxtails are so prevalent that it becomes impossible to avoid them. If you think your pet has been through a patch of foxtails, comb her thoroughly and check her paws.
Phone: (510) 841 - 4412 Fax: (510) 841 - 3019 email: staff AT uvhberkeley DOT com
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