Foxtails in a Dogs Lungs
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| Oh my...did you take your dog to the vet? Any symptons to give you a clue of how you know your pup has a foxtail in his/her lungs? Please tell us more and I am sending good thoughts for your pup. Robin |
| dog needs to go to the vets asap http://www.governoranimalclinic.com/798625.html |
She is coughing up this really nasty brown mucusy stuff. The vet did all sorts of tests she is alost positive it a foxtail.I will take her for a second opinion but it does not look good if it is a foxtail it could lead to death. Im so sad she is such a good dog.and she is only 2.  |
| I am so very sorry.Is she an Old English Sheepdog,just curious? I read the same article that has been posted.How long has she been in this condition? You and your pup are in my thoughts and am saying a prayer for you and your baby. Robin |
| About two weeks. She is a Black Lab Catihula mix (think I spelt that wrong). I think you for your prayers. |
| I am so very sorry and I do hope you can bring her to a specialist in hopes the vet is wrong. Keep the faith. Robin |
| Foxtails migrate through the soft tissue, so the longer it's in there, the greater the danger. the more irritation, the more likely the dog will die of pneumonia, lung hemorrhage...or if it migrates into the heart......etc. Is it a matter you cannot afford surgery or is the vet not willing or capable of operating? It would be major surgery....yikes! |
| I haven't heard of one in the lungs but I know of a Great Dane who had one in it's nasal cavity. The owner couldn't afford the surgery as it was very expensive and also high risk of complications including not being able to find the foxtail, so she had to euthanase. My Mom's mini poodle had a foxtail in her vagina after squatting to pee in some long grass about 2 years ago. It took the University vet hospital where I live to find and remove it and cost a bomb in tests and scans before it was diagnosed. Prayers and best wishes. |
| When dog owners talk about "foxtails," they are actually speaking of the seed portion of the foxtail grass. Once foxtail grasses dry out, the seed detaches easily and sticks readily to clothing and fur. Foxtail seeds can enter a dog's body in a variety of ways and once they enter, they act like an animated fishhook: the seed continues to move forward through the dog’s body, and because of tiny barbs, cannot move backwards. It's most common for a foxtail seed to enter a dog's body through the skin, nose, ears, paws, genitals, and eyes. Cases have even been reported of foxtails being lodged in male dogs' urethra. One vet I spoke to mentioned how a foxtail seed found in a dog's lung was believed to have entered initially through the dog's paw! Foxtail seeds are tenacious, and can be deadly. Foxtail seeds are relatively small, so detecting them once they enter a dog's body can be difficult. Vets usually rely on telltale symptoms such as head-shaking, paw licking, swellings on the body, or sudden and continuous sneezing. Foxtail seeds in the ears, nose, and eyes are very serious and can ultimately be life-threatening if they are not treated promptly. If a foxtail seed has been inhaled and lodged in the nasal cavity, the dog will sneeze repeatedly and violently, sometimes even banging their nose on the floor with each sneeze in a futile attempt to dislodge the seed. It is often possible to sedate the animal, locate the seed with an otoscope, and remove it using special forceps, if rushed to the vet after the initial symptoms appear. If a foxtail seed is lodged in the paw or under the coat, a lump will usually form that is painful to touch. Depending on how deep the foxtail seed has traveled, they can usually be removed surgically. When a foxtail seed get into a dog's eye, they will usually paw at the eye and the eye will water. Even if you can see a foxtail lying under the eyelid, don't try to remove it yourself! There's a good chance that you may not get it all. Keep your dog from pawing at their eye and get to a vet immediately, preferably a veterinary opthomologist. If your dog gets a foxtail in their ear, they will usually shake their head violently. If you suspect a foxtail, get your dog to a vet immediately. The best way to handle foxtail problems is to prevent them or treat them early. To prevent foxtail injuries: • If possible, avoid foxtail infested areas – especially during the dry season. • Thoroughly brush and inspect your dog's coat if it has been romping through tall, mature grass. Run your hands over their coat and look for foxtails. Dogs with long hair are particularly susceptible to foxtail seeds. • Look into your dog's ears. If your dog has floppy ears, lift each ear and inspect. • Immediately examine your dogs paws (in-between toes and paw pads), neck (under the collar), tail/anus, |
| Thank you for the detailed info. Foxtails sound like a really cruel plant. Learn something new everyday. What an eye opener. Again, I am sending you and your baby all the best. Robin |
| We are old hands at foxtails in the feet.......I dread any place else. |
| Well first off thanks for the info. Unfortunately I am still unsure to the symptoms if it is indeed stuck in her lung? To the on post regarding surgery. The VET is not positive she is pretty sure though. We live in a small area so extensive surgery is not an option close to home. And yes expenses are a facture although I would do or give anything for her to make it she is an amazing dog and to live without her would be heart wrenching! The symptoms she has are as follows: Hacking, hacking followed by a discharge of brown mucus and white foam, at first she ate and drank fine now soft foods I believe its because of a sore throat I also add milk to the water because its more appealing to her, she is losing weight, sometimes it feels as if she has a fever, and I am almost positive soreness in the throat is a huge problem for her. Could it possibly be in her throat??? I am not sure. But the Vet I took her to did not really look in her nose throat or ears so I am wondering if the second opinion will help??? I can not express the gratitude for all the support I am recieving from all of you it is helping me emensly. Thank you all so very much for taking the time to help! For Emma Mae my Dog & my Best friend! |
| Sorry she is not a sheep dog everyone I did not realize this was for sheep dogs, but is is a heck of a cattle herder! |
| Oh, don't worry that she's not a sheepdog - we are a group of ALL breed lovers, we just happen to be linked by our love of sheepdogs. Many of us have other breeds, and heck, we even chat about our cats, guinea pigs, llamas, kids and grandkids  |
| We love dogs, many of us have other breeds as well. Yes, take her to a lager community vet. There may even be an emergency vet in a larger community who may be more willing to do the look-see down the throat. Could very well be in her throat.......I would think infection is a real possibility now....the yucky stuff coming up could be an indication. |
time is of the essence here, please call vets around in nearby larger community. her throat could swell shut if it's lodged in there. hoping for a good outcome.  |
| Just want to add...do you have a vet school, such as, near me is Louisiana State U vet school? Please ,as the other posters have written a second look seems to be the ticket. I hope she gets the help she needs and I am sending you well wishes for your pup. Please do not apologize because she is not an Old English Sheepdog. Robin |
| So made appointment for tomorrow! Did some research and it sounds similar to second degree kennel cough I hope whatever it is can be fixed! I will talk to you all after the tests tomorrow |
Good luck with your appointment tomorrow  |
| I have never heard of this, what part of the country are foxtails prevalent? Now I worry because we let the dogs but mostly Butchy run out in the yard but we have woods on 3 sides of us and he goes in there a little. |
| ilene, unforunately, they're everywhere, but some are nastier than others as there are many varieties. here is a usda map of wisconsin for you. http://plants.usda.gov/java/county?stat ... mbol=ALOPE |
| Thanks, couldn't find the legend to say if the green was the infestation or the white was. Now, something else to worry about. |
| sorry, green is the natural habitat, white areas have none. |
| Sorry to not address your question better. It could be a foxtail but it could also be some other foreign body in the lung or a nasty infection that's not responded to any meds you tried or a tumor. It depends how long the symptoms have been there too. Best to give a full history to a vet who has access to any useful diagnostic imaging facilities like MRI etc. As I mentioned it took the University vet hospital to diagnose my Mom's poodle and even then it took three visits, an ultrasound, an MRI and weeks of antibiotics to get there. Good luck and let us know how things go. PS I have dalmatian and a siamese cat as well as a sheepie and am drawing on my experience with a poodle. We aren't discriminating against not sheepies we're just a curious bunch. |
| Good luck tomorrow and please let us know because we care. Robin |
| So this Vet actually cares! She took an X-ray and a sample of the mucus she thinks she has a bacterial infection, if the new meds dont work in a week then she will send sample i for anaylisis. Thanks so much Everyone for your love and prayers. |
| So happy to hear that the vet cared and hopefully the meds will heal your baby! Robin |
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