Emergency Care for Trail Hounds

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To dogs, grass seeds, also known as foxtails, can be deadly. The foxtails that pierce our socks and scratch our legs can do far more damage to a dog. Since dogs walk with the faces around our knee level —and hunting-breeds typically walk with their noses much closer to the ground —foxtails can lodge in their ears, eyes, nose and/or throat.

Foxtails Can be Deadly

• A dog that paws at its mouth, gags or drools extensively, or launches into an eating frenzy, may have grass seeds lodge in the back of its mouth or in its throat. Open the dog's mouth, and if you see a seed or other object try to remove it with your fingers. If you cannot locate the object, feed the dog bread to try to dislodge the seed from the throat. Administer an over-the-counter cough suppressant: Acker notes that Chloraseptic spray should be included in a canine first aid kit, to deaden the throat and make it easier for the dog to breathe. Have the dog checked by a vet as soon as possible.
• Grass seeds in the nose can be even more troublesome and dangerous. The barblike protrusions on foxtails makes them difficult to remove, and you'll know if your dog has been affected because it will be seized by a harsh fit of sneezing that will persist until the seed is removed. If you see the seed protruding from the nose, pull it out. If not, get your dog to the vet as soon as possible — removal of a seed lodged far up the nose requires the use of special instruments; Acker says a foxtail seed left too long in the nose can travel into the brain and cause an abscess.
• Grass seeds in the ear or eye should be removed as soon as possible as well. A dog that shakes its head violently and frequently may have a foxtail lodged inside. If you see any part of the seed, grasp it with your fingers, tweezers, or small alligator forceps, and pull it out. If you cannot remove it, get your dog to a vet as soon as possible.
• Foxtails can also stick into a dogs eye, and may become wedged under the third eyelid. This can cause a great deal of pain to the dog, but is relatively easily remedied. Just remove the seed. Try to flush the eye with water to wash the object out, or if you see it, use finger-tip tweezers, or a damp Q-tip swab to remove it.