Beware of foxtail plant awns. They look threatening and are rampant this time of the year. They frequently burrow into the skin of our canine patients causing a local foreign body reaction and abscess formation. This can lead to pain, heat, swelling and redness. They most commonly affect the paws and lower limbs. They also get into the ears and can potentially damage the ear drum. As your dog is sniffing in the brush they can inhale them into their nose or become embedded in their eyes.
It is recommended to remove all foxtail plants from dog yards, and check your dog for the awns after hiking or walking in infested areas. Shaving the hair around the paws in medium to long hair dogs makes finding the foxtail awns easier, before they are able to burrow beneath the skin. Ask your Veterinarian or groomer to do “poodle feet” on your dog.
If you notice your dog licking or chewing at his/her paws do an inspection of both the top and bottoms of the feet. If you see a red inflammed area, your dog probably has a foxtail abscess. Excessive head shaking, sneezing or runny eyes can also be an indication of a foxtail problem. 
Any of the above actions on the part of your dog requires a trip to your Veterinarian.
