Check your dog's feet every day and remove foxtails before they burrow in. If your dog has long hair between his toes, have a groomer trim it out. Other foxtail problems cannot be prevented Nose foxtails Sudden extremely severe sneezing, pawing at nose, possibly bleeding from nostril. Symptoms diminish after several hours, becoming intermittent. Ear foxtails Tilting and shaking head, pawing at ear, crying, moving stiffly.
Eye foxtails Squinting eye suddenly-swelling accompanied by tears and mucous discharge.
Throat foxtails Gagging, retching cough, compulsive grass eating, stretching neck and swallowing. Foxtails in any of these locations must be removed by a veterinarian, and depending on their location, often require anesthesia. Unfortunately, the common foxtail problems listed above aren't the only ones. Foxtails can be inhaled or enter any body opening and travel long distances. They don't show on x-rays and are sometimes impossible to surgically locate and remove.