Foxtails may have a cute name, but don’t be fooled – they are extremely dangerous to our pets. This weed-type grass has seeds that are designed to burrow into the ground – but if they attach to your pet’s coat they can burrow into their eyes, ear canals, nose, and skin – and migrate deeper into tissues, causing pain, infection, and other serious medical issues.

Foxtails are particularly troublesome in the summer, with cases spiking 289% in the U.S. and 458% in Canada during June, July, and August. Dogs with longer, denser fur like Wire-haired Pointing Griffons, English Springer Spaniels and Newfoundlands are the dog breeds with the most foxtail-related health issues.

A foxtail embedded in a dog’s paw

“Owner awareness of foxtails is paramount,” says HSSV Staff Veterinarian Dr. Carol Campbell. “Try to avoid walking your dog through or being around any foxtails. Remove any foxtails from your backyard. If foxtails have been encountered after any time outside, we recommend that your thoroughly search through your dog’s fur and in between their toes to remove any foxtails before they have a chance to embed into the skin.”

Meet Star.

Star when she first arrived at our partner shelter

Star arrived at HSSV from one of our partner shelters in pretty bad shape. Though she was just a young dog at 2 years old, Star was severely emaciated, with multiple oozing wounds on her body. She also had significant weakness in her rear legs that pointed to a possible spinal injury and was showing clear signs of discomfort.

The source of her pain was identified upon examination by HSSV’s Medical Team, and it turned out that her many health problems had the same culprit; Star’s coat was embedded with foxtails, which had migrated through her skin and throughout her body – causing deep wounds that had become infected.

An x-ray shows where an infection caused by migrating foxtails has caused fractures in two of Star’s vertebrae.

Star’s X-rays revealed that one of these foxtails had migrated near her lower spine. She was diagnosed with a painful condition called Discospondylitis, which occurs when an infection affects both the bones of the spine and the tissue between them. In Star’s case, the infection was severe enough that it caused fractures in two of her vertebrae. Swelling was also pushing on Star’s spinal cord, causing pain and nerve disruption that made it difficult for her to walk.

The outcome for a shelter dog in Star’s condition is typically not good, but fortunately she had HSSV’s team on her side – and they immediately got to work diagnosing and treating her infection, cleaning her wounds, and placing her with a foster parent who could house and care for her during her long road to recovery.

Star Finds Her Perfect Foster Match

Star first landed on veteran foster parent Kathi’s radar when JZ, HSSV’s Rescue Program Manager, gave her a heads up that a little dog had arrive that was in dire need of help. Kathi and her husband Dave have fostered close to 150 dogs over the last 12 years. “JZ knows that I have a soft spot for scruffy terriers that need a lot of TLC,” Kathi shared. “We kind of specialize in complex medical cases, or the super shy ones that need to know that people are good.”

“We had just lost my best buddy unexpectedly, so I wasn’t quite ready to take her when she first arrived. She went to another awesome foster family for a few months, but eventually they had to bring Star back to HSSV due to traveling. Dr. Campbell approached me for help, and after a few minutes with Star I decided taking her in would be a good way to heal my heart.”

HSSV veterinarians Dr. Campbell and Dr. Moore greet Star

The medical team removed as many of the embedded foxtails as they could, and Kathi and Dave held her paw through several months of intensive medical care – including long-term antibiotics, pain relief, and over a week of daily visits to the shelter to receive IV medication. “Star had several setbacks with the infection in her spine getting worse and it was pretty touch-and-go for the first three months,” Kathi recalled. “But eventually she turned a corner and was feeling good, and in no pain. She became a much livelier dog, and her true personality began to come out.”

During her time in foster care, Star gained 13 pounds – more than half her weight when she first arrived. With her infection and pain under control, Star was finally well enough to be adopted – but she would need long-term antibiotic treatment for another 6 to 12 months, and possibly the rest of her life.

Searching for the Perfect Family

HSSV offered to cover the cost of her first year of medication and follow up x-rays, and her adoption fee was generously sponsored by donor Cheng Zheng – but even so, taking in a dog with ongoing medical needs is a tall order for the average adopter. Star waited weeks for the right family without success.

Star and Kathi’s husband Dave share a special bond

“Dave had been advocating that we should adopt her for quite a while, but I wasn’t ready,” Kathi recalled. “We fostered Star for six months, so she became part of the family in that time. We had invested a lot of time, energy and love into getting her well. When it was time for her to be adopted, we were looking for specific qualities in her new home – but we realized that she already had everything she needed – right here with us!”

Star laying in Dave’s lap (left), snoozing next to a mountain of toys (center), and blissfully rolling in the grass (right)

Star is now thriving at home with Kathi, Dave, and her two chihuahua siblings. “She loves people. She’s just such a lover, and such a happy dog,” Kathi shares. “In a lot of ways, she is a very positive influence; she loves to go for walks, which helps us to get our exercise. The relationship between her and my husband is incredible – she’ll spend as much time as possible on Dave’s lap for cuddles.”

Star with Kathi, her foster mom-turned-adopter

A Winning Combination

Kathi gives a lot of the credit for Star’s success to HSSV’s staff. “Star would not have survived if not for the dedicated medical team at HSSV who took care of her. She became a favorite of many of them because they saw her so often, for so long. Whatever I thought she needed, they provided to me without question. Dr. Campbell, Dr. Moore and Dr. Ramer were especially amazing in caring for her.”

Star along with Kathi, Dave, and members of HSSV’s Medical Team celebrate her official adoption

The feeling is totally mutual. “Kathi and Dave should be commended,” Dr. Campbell says. “We could not have successfully treated Star without their expertise in intensive treatments and monitoring, and most importantly the love and home they provided her.”

We can’t do it alone. It takes a village to go above and beyond to give animals like Star a shot at a better life. Help us to expand our lifesaving capacity beyond shelter walls by joining our network of incredible foster volunteers.

Can’t foster but still want to help? Make a gift to support our foster program, or sponsor an animal’s care!