What Happens When Your Pet Inhales A Foxtail?
Foxtails are simple weeds that are present almost everywhere, but they can cause big problems for pets. Foxtails can be inhaled by cats and dogs through the nose or even mouth. Unfortunately, once they're inhaled, those foxtails aren't going to break down on their own. Instead, they can cause severe infections in the lungs or esophagus that need to be treated by a veterinarian. Here's what you can expect if you suspect your pet has inhaled a foxtail.
Confirming the Presence
The first thing your veterinarian will do is want to ensure that your pet did indeed inhale the foxtail. They'll start by just listening to their lungs and heart. If the foxtail migrated to their lungs, they may have difficulty breathing or there may be fluid in the lungs. This is the first tip-off your vet will have.
Next up is using a camera scope to take a look at the inside of your pet's esophagus and lungs. If a foxtail or damage from one is discovered, your vet will discuss surgery with you.
Removing the Foxtail
Getting rid of a foxtail is only possible through surgery when it's inhaled into the throat or lungs. And it's important to do it as soon as possible, too.
Removing the foxtail will depend upon its ultimate location. Your vet may be able to go in through the throat if it's still stuck in the esophagus. However, if it's migrated to the lungs, removing the foxtail will require surgically operating on the lungs. Your vet will do this by going in through the chest wall and opening up one or both lungs depending on where the foxtail is located. Once the foxtail has been found and removed, any infected tissue will also be taken care of at the same time.
Curbing Damage
Unfortunately, foxtails often migrate once they're inside the body. Their arrow-like shape makes it so that they can penetrate through the wall of the lungs and make it into the rest of the body. If this has happened, your vet may need to remove additional damaged and infected tissue around the lungs and in the abdomen. Rest assured that most pets bounce back from this procedure just fine, and going without it is likely signing a death warrant for the pet, so it's best to agree to this procedure.
Foxtails are something that pet owners should avoid at all costs. Keep your pet away from them on walks, cut them down in your own yard, and check your clothing for any that may have gotten stuck to you before heading inside. And above all else, if you think your pet is struggling to breathe or has consumed a foxtail, get help right away.
For more information, contact a veterinary surgical service.
Share