DoveLewis Veterinarians Urge Vigilance as Foxtail Season Returns

PORTLAND, OR – When Dane, a 10-month-old Mastiff mix, came home from a walk and suddenly couldn't stop sneezing, his family assumed he'd inhaled a little pollen or grass. Instead, a dangerous plant seed was lodged deep inside his nose.

What initially seemed like a minor irritation didn't go away. Dane's family sought emergency veterinary care at DoveLewis 24/7 Animal Hospital, where doctors discovered a large foxtail stuck in his nose.

"Foxtails act like tiny barbed arrows," explained Dr. Sarah Tauber, emergency veterinarian at DoveLewis. "Once they enter the body, they don't make their way back out. They can continue migrating deeper into tissues, causing significant inflammation, infection, and in some cases life-threatening complications."

While Dane was safely sedated, the veterinary team used a small camera to examine his nose and throat. They found and removed a large foxtail lodged in his right nasal passage, along with a smaller grass seed trapped near the back of his throat. The foxtail had already caused inflammation inside his nose, but fortunately it was removed before it could migrate deeper or lead to more serious complications.

Dane's case serves as a timely reminder for pet owners across the region. Foxtails are common during the summer months in dry grassy areas, trails, parks, and vacant lots. Their barbed structure allows them to move deeper into tissues once they enter the body, making them especially dangerous when inhaled through the nose or lodged in the skin, ears, eyes, or paws. Unlike many plant materials, foxtails do not break down naturally and require veterinary removal if they become embedded in a pet's body.

Signs of a Foxtail Emergency

• Coughing, gagging, or repeated sneezing
• Eye or nasal discharge
• Head shaking or tilting
• Irritation, swelling, or redness
• Limping
• Pawing or excessive licking of an area

Prevention Tips for Pet Owners This Summer

• Avoid overgrown fields and areas with tall, dry grasses
• Keep dogs on trails and away from dense vegetation when possible
• Check, brush, and wipe down your pet after outdoor activities, paying special attention to the nose, ears, paws, long fur, and the areas between the toes
• Watch for changes in your pet's behavior and seek veterinary care promptly if symptoms appear

"Foxtails may be small, but they can cause significant problems once they enter the body," said Dr. Tauber. "Every summer, we treat pets affected by foxtails that have become lodged in the nose, ears, paws, and other areas. The best thing pet owners can do is stay alert to changes in their pet's behavior and seek veterinary care if something doesn't seem right."

For more information on pet safety tips, visit dovelewis.org.

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