Thrive Pet Healthcare warns pet owners about the hidden dangers of foxtails
SAN DIEGO – June 12, 2024 – Thrive Pet Healthcare, a leading veterinary service community with more than 380 locations across 37 states, is urging pet owners in the San Diego area to be on the lookout for foxtail barbs on their pet. These seemingly harmless plants can cause significant harm to pets, with their barbed seeds capable of burrowing into the skin, eyes, ears, nose, and even internal organs.
“Foxtails are barbed seeds found on certain grasses in the region during the spring and summer months,” says Dr. Trevor Garb, Veterinarian and Regional Doctor Mentor at Thrive Pet Healthcare. “These barbs can easily become embedded in a pet’s fur, skin, or paws, and because they are designed to burrow, they can work their way deeper into the body causing significant discomfort and potentially serious complications.”
Thrive Pet Healthcare’s eight hospitals in the San Diego region are seeing daily cases of pets requiring foxtail removal, which tend to surge this time of year. In fact, this season, team members at
Pet Urgent Care in La Mesa, a Thrive Pet Healthcare partner, have removed foxtails from noses, ears, eyes and skin in approximately 64 pets. If left untreated, foxtails can migrate throughout the body, reaching vital organs and causing severe infections.
Symptoms to Watch for in Your Pet
Signs of foxtail-related problems in pets may vary depending on the affected area. Common symptoms include:
What to Do If You Suspect Your Pet Has a Foxtail
If you see a foxtail in your pet’s fur and it can easily be removed, do so immediately using tweezers. However, do not attempt to remove a foxtail if it is embedded in the skin or another body part, as it may result in incomplete removal, further complicating the situation.
“If your pet has been in dry, grassy areas such as meadows, parks or on hiking trails and they are exhibiting signs of a foxtail problem, but you don’t see a foxtail, it’s best to take your pet to see a veterinarian right away,” said Dr. Garb. “As with many illnesses, the earlier a foxtail is diagnosed and treated, the easier and more effective the treatment.”
How to Prevent Foxtail Problems
To protect pets from foxtail dangers, Dr. Garb recommends the following:
Regular inspection.
After outdoor activities, especially in grassy areas, regularly inspect your pet’s fur, paws, ears and nose.
Grooming
Use a comb to catch any foxtails that may be stuck in their fur. Consider getting your pet trimmed during foxtail season, as pets with long fur tend to pick up more foxtails.
Lawn maintenance
Keep your lawn and backyard well-maintained. Remove foxtail plants if they are spotted.
Protective clothing
For pets in high-risk areas, consider using protective clothing such as booties to cover their paws.
To locate a Thrive Pet Healthcare location in the San Diego area, including primary, specialty, urgent, and emergency veterinary care services, visit
www.ThrivePetCare.com.
About Thrive Pet Healthcare:
Thrive Pet Healthcare is a leading veterinary service community that uniquely delivers a continuum of care to pet families and services to veterinary hospitals. With an industry-first membership program and more than 380 acute, primary, and specialty providers, Thrive Pet Healthcare offers personalized, accessible care through every stage of a pet’s life and health. The veterinarian-founded organization provides premier benefits for practice staff while elevating privately held veterinary hospitals with innovative service and technology solutions. By focusing on the needs and aspirations of veterinary care providers, Thrive Pet Healthcare is supporting the well-being of the industry and raising the national bar for veterinary excellence. To learn more about Thrive Pet Healthcare, please visit
www.thrivepetcare.com.
