The dog days of summer are fast upon us and, after months of gray skies, you and your pet pal are ready for some outdoor fun. Whether your sun-filled adventures include hiking, swimming or a game of Frisbee in the backyard, it’s important to be aware of pet health hazards that pop up this time of year. Of particular concern are foxtails, fleas and ticks.

Foxtails

Foxtail plants grow in abundance during rainy winters — in fields, along the side of the road or even in your yard. The trouble starts when the foxtails dry out in spring and summer, changing from green to beige and becoming stiff and sharp. Thanks to our record wet winter, we are already experiencing a bad foxtail season here in Marin.

Foxtails are named for their fox-like tails comprised of many barbed awns. Once an awn penetrates the skin, it can only move forward. Dogs and cats are both susceptible to foxtails, but longhaired breeds of dogs are most commonly affected (cats’ grooming habits help to protect them). On any summer day, Bay Area vet clinics are filled with foxtail victims.

Protect your pets by examining their coats daily and keeping fur trimmed around susceptible areas. Pay particular attention to the nose, feet, ears and eyes, and watch for these warning signs:

• If a foxtail has entered the nose, your pet may sneeze often and in intense bouts, and there might be discharge from the affected nostril. Foxtails that enter the nose can travel to the brain if not taken care of promptly.
• If your dog is constantly licking a foot, there’s a chance that a foxtail has entered between the toes. The foot may be swollen and painful.
• Foreign bodies in the ear will usually cause your pet to tilt his head, putting the affected ear toward the ground, and scratch or paw at the ear.
• If you observe your pet squinting and pawing at the eyes, or if the eyes have discharge, redness or watering, this could be a sign of a foxtail.
  
  

Left untreated, embedded foxtails can cause serious infections and even death. Always consult your veterinarian immediately if you think a foxtail may be present.

Fleas and Ticks

At just the size of a pinhead, the nearly invisible and fast-moving flea can make life miserable for your dog or cat — or rabbit, too. By late spring, fleas begin to emerge from their pupae as adults and migrate to the nearest pet for blood meals. Not only do they create an annoying cycle of biting and scratching, but fleas can also carry disease and cause other health problems, like allergy dermatitis, internal parasites and anemia.

The tiny tick is another problem pest (for both pets and people). Though slower moving than fleas, ticks attach to the skin quickly and feed on blood until they are engorged. Ticks may carry and transmit diseases, including Lyme Disease, that can cause serious health problems. It’s important to check your pet regularly for ticks. They’re most likely to burrow themselves in the neck area, between the toes, in the ears and in skin folds. Ask your vet for the recommended method of tick removal; pulling on a tick can cause the head to snap off and remain embedded in the skin, causing infection.

There are a number of flea and tick prevention options. Some products repel fleas and ticks, some kill them, and some prevent them from reproducing. Popular topical products available through your veterinarian include Advantix^® and Frontline^®. There are also many over-the-counter products, but be sure to consult with your veterinarian because some of them, such as flea collars, may not be effective and could contain ingredients harmful to pets.

Have fun with your pets this summer!

Tails of Marin appears every Saturday in the Home & Garden section of the Marin Independent Journal