How to Remove a "Foxtail" from a Dog's Nose

Co-authored by Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC

Last Updated: January 16, 2024 Approved

"Foxtails," despite the fairly pleasant name, refer to a fairly nasty weed that poses a particular threat to dogs. Found in states west of the Mississippi in the US, foxtails produce seeds that can cause an inflamed, painful, infected lump anywhere on an animal's body. If your dog has picked up a foxtail in its nose, it may present with a sudden burst of snorting and sneezing for a sustained period of time, and then sneezing on a regular basis.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Diagnosing Foxtails in the Nose

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The dog may sneeze in a manner that seems uncontrollable. This sneezing may even be accompanied by a bloody discharge. Bloody discharge accompanying sneezing is a fairly good indicator that a foxtail is lodged in the nose.^{[1]
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A reverse sneeze is what some may refer to as "snorting." It is a method the dog may use to try and clear something from its nose, which could include a foxtail. If the dog is reverse sneezing, this could be a symptom of a foxtail lodged in the nose.

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Nasal irritation may be apparent if the dog paws or scratches his or her snout, rubs the snout, head, or face, or shakes the head. If a foxtail is not visible, but the dog exhibits symptoms of nasal irritation, a foxtail may be lodged in the nose.

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Diagnosing Foxtails in Other Places

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Checking your pet after every walk and thoroughly search between toes, in armpits, and ears for foxtails. Remove them or see a vet if it looks lodged. Seeing a foxtail on one part of the body might indicate foxtails in the nose or elsewhere.
A dog with a foxtail seed in its ear might rub its head on the ground or shake its head violently from side to side. It might paw at its ear or hold its head at a strange angle with the infected ear angled down. The ear could become infected, and the eye on the same side may look abnormal as well.
If a dog gets a foxtail seed in its eye, it will probably appear to be in a great deal of pain. The eye and the area around it may swell, and a discharge may appear. The dog will probably keep its eye shut tightly as well.
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Recognize symptoms of foxtails in the skin. Foxtails commonly get caught in dogs' skin. The area around the site where the foxtail is stuck may be swollen and red and there may be a bloody or clear fluid draining from the area. The dog may lick the area a lot and may appear to be in pain.
- Affected sites often included the webbed area between the dog's toes as well as the chest and/or shoulders.

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Removing the Foxtails

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1
Calm the dog. First, try to keep the dog calm. He or she may be stressed out and/or in pain, so it is best to try and calm the dog before a trip to the vet. This may require you to restrain the dog for its comfort and safety as well as your safety.
- Sit on the ground with the dog and speak in soothing tones.
- If the dog is restless, you can try to use basic commands to get him to calm down.
- If commands don't work, you may need to use a leash or even a muzzle.
- Restraining the dog may be easier if you have someone to help you.^{[2]
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Find a veterinarian. Not all veterinarians may have experience removing nasal foxtails, so it would be a good idea to seek out a veterinarian who has experience with them.^{[3]
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Research source} You may be able to see the foxtail in the dog's nose, but only a trained professional can ensure the foxtail is properly removed. ^{[4]
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- Call the veterinarian or check his or her website to see if you can verify whether he or she has foxtail experience.
- A foxtail in the nose could lead to a sinus infection or worse.
- The dog's nose is very sensitive, so anesthesia may very likely be required to safely remove the foxtail.
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Bring your dog to the veterinarian. Bring the dog to his or her office. Explain the symptoms that your dog has been exhibiting and that you suspect a nasal foxtail. If the veterinarian agrees with you after an examination, they can remove out the foxtail a number of ways.^{[5]
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- The vet will most likely use an anesthetic.
- The vet might use an endoscope, which is a fine tube with a fiberoptic camera, passing it up the nose to check that it is a foxtail that is causing the problem.
- The vet can remove the foxtail using forceps or a grasper on the endoscope. A vet's forceps will have much longer and narrower arms than tweezers at home.
- The vet might flush the nasal cavity to remove all nasal debris.
- Do not poke up your dog's nose where you cannot see without a vet.
4
Attempt to remove the foxtail if a vet is unavailable. If you can see the foxtail clearly on your dog's nose and cannot get your dog to a vet, you can try to remove the foxtail yourself. Use tweezers to get a firm grip on the foxtail. Pull gently but firmly along the long axis of the nose.
- Do not poke up your dogs nose where you cannot see.
- If the foxtail snaps off mid-pull, then it likely doesn't make a difference but see a vet to remove the rest.
- If you see no more foxtails and your dog seems less irritated, it is possible you removed the whole foxtail. Check with a vet to make sure.

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How can I calm my dog when he's in pain?

Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC
Canine Behavior Consultant
Colleen Demling-Riley (CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC) is a Canine Behavior Consultant and the Founder of Pawtopia Dog Training. With more than 20 years of experience, she specializes in creating and customizing dog management programs for dog owners. She is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, and American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. Colleen is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and has been a featured expert in national media including the New York Times, Woman’s Day, Readers Digest, Cosmopolitan, and Yahoo.com.

Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC

Canine Behavior Consultant

Expert Answer

It's crucial to remain calm and composed because your dog can sense your emotions. Keep your dog as comfortable as possible while identifying the source of pain; using blankets or a soft dog bed can help. Some dogs may benefit from distraction, so consider offering small amounts of peanut butter on a spoon to keep them calm and occupied while you attend to their needs.

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Are foxtails dangerous for dogs?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Foxtails aren't dangerous as such but can be a source of pain or infection. For example, a foxtail trapped behind an eyelid (it happens!) can cause an eye ulcer, while a foxtail in an ear canal can rupture the ear drum.

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How do I remove an embedded foxtail?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

If just the tip of the foxtail has penetrated the skin, use tweezers to gently pull it out. If the foxtail is fully embedded, try bathing the area with warm salt water to draw it out. If this fails, then see a vet.

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Tips

Examine your pet daily. Carefully brush its hair while feeling for any raised areas on its skin. Check inside and under its ears, between toes, under the armpits, and in the groin area.

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Keep long-haired and thick-coated breeds especially well-groomed.

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If you think a seed might already embedded in the skin, in a paw, in an eye or an ear, or if a dog who has been eating grass seems to have a throat problem, take the dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

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Warnings

Foxtail seeds can migrate and lodge in the spine, in the lungs, and in other internal organs. They enter through the nose, ears, paws, eyes, urethra or just through the skin and travel through the body. The seeds are very small, making locating them a painful, difficult, and expensive procedure. Depending on where a foxtail seed has traveled inside a dog, it can even be life threatening and will require prompt surgical removal.

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