‘Incredibly dangerous’: Experts warn Portland pet owners of foxtail season

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – It’s summer, which means it’s also foxtail season. That could be a problem for you and your pet.

Dove Lewis veterinary experts warn that these plants, while common in the Pacific Northwest during the warmer months of the year, can pose serious health consequences for your animals without proper care.

“These foxtails act like little arrows,” said Dr. Sarah Tauber, an emergency veterinarian at DoveLewis. “They don’t just get stuck, they keep moving. That makes them incredibly dangerous, especially when they enter sensitive areas like the nose.”

Foxtails are typically found in dry, grassy areas, and their shape allows them to easily embed into dog fur or even noses and paws. 

One local pet, Noodle, was recently sedated to treat a foxtail that had wedged deep inside the 3-year-old dog’s nasal cavity. Veterinarians were able to take the plant out of her nose, but by the time the owners realized what was wrong and took her to Dove Lewis’ 24-hour care center, the foxtail had already traveled nearly four centimeters into her left nostril.

The foxtail had caused Noodle to suffer from irritation and bleeding, the vets said..

“Noodle’s story is one we see more often than people realize,” said Dr. Tauber. “These tiny seeds are easy to miss—until they aren’t. We may not think twice about a patch of grass, but for pets, it can hide real danger. That’s why it’s so important to stay vigilant.”

Signs that foxtails have impacted your dog include sudden sneezing or pawing at the nose, head shaking or tilting, coughing or gagging, licking paws or limping, and redness, swelling, or discharge around eyes, ears, or toes, according to experts.

(Warning: the following photos show blood)

Dove Lewis says the best way to prevent your pets from coming into contact with foxtails is by avoiding overgrown fields with tall, dry grasses, checking your pet’s nose, ears, paws, and fur, and paying attention to your pet’s behavior. 

If you believe your animal is experiencing an emergency, immediately seek veterinary care. 

“[Noodle] recovered like a champ,” said Dr. Tauber. “But this could’ve gone very differently. Her family acted fast and that made all the difference.”