Question

I think some foxtails may be under my Lhasa Apso's skin. How can I get them out? Will the foxtails make him ill? Thank you.
Silvia

Answer
provided by Dr Paddy Batch BVSc

Some seeds can penetrate the skin and actually move about within the body. They may fester out or, depending on where the seed is located, your vet can remove them with your dog under sedation or general anaesthesia. In my practice in Western Australia, where a similar seed exists, I removed one from the elbow joint that had entered at the toe. The dog was extremely lame. Also during a routine desexing I found one in the tissue next to the ovary. The dog was fine.