
Grass Seeds
After five re-occurring abscesses
Boris' Vet finally found and removed a Foxtail (grass seed) from
his paw. Foxtails are often found in areas easily missed,
between the toes, and even in nostrils and ear canals. The barbs
cause the foxtail to cling to fur, and movement of the animal
causes the foxtail to burrow into the fur.
Especially in long haired dogs
the foxtails can become irreversibly lodged. Foxtails can
also enter the nostrils and ear canals. In all these cases,
the foxtail can physically enter the body.
Muscular movements (or air
flow, in the case of nostrils) can cause the foxtails to
continue to burrow through soft tissues and organs, causing
infection and physical disruption.