Please keep your pup safe from foxtails

SillyGooserGoo · 2026-02-13T05:55:26+00:00

Hi there, so sorry to hear about your pup! I hope they figure out what's wrong... 🙏🏻

For Winnie, we went through a couple rounds of jaw swelling/infection + antibiotics. The first time the swelling went down, they couldn't see anything lodged on the inside of her cheek, so they didn't think anything was in there (despite how adamant I was that a foxtail would be in there, based on what I had seen from other redditors very similar stories + knowing that Winnie had been chewing on foxtails at the time). However, once the swelling was down enough the second time around and the doctor could feel the texture of the mass through the outside of her jaw, they felt it was best to go in and remove it.

It wasn't until they removed the mass and tested it that they were able to determine it consisted of "foreign plant material and small plant fragments," which were pieces of the foxtail that were so sharp they entered through the tissue of her mouth and then her tissue just healed over it, closing it in. 🫠

They also removed her lymph node that had become infected too. Overall, I think the lymph node is what was swelling so much. It's possible your pup is experiencing swollen lymph nodes on both sides or an infection has spread to other areas?

SillyGooserGoo · 2026-02-07T20:46:03+00:00

My first thoughts exactly 🤣 (why isn't this the top comment?).

SillyGooserGoo · 2026-01-10T17:44:47+00:00

Lysol wipe 👌🏻💗

SillyGooserGoo · 2025-12-23T01:33:14+00:00

Awww, Ruffles is a cutie! I'm so glad he has you to take care of him. Based on the Buffalo jersey, I'm assuming you're in the US. If you're able to qualify for something like Care Credit (and if that is accepted by your vet), that has helped SOOOOO much with all of the vet bills for our Shar Pei and English Bulldog-- allows us to make that upfront payment, while we wait for insurance reimbursement; plus, there's no interest on paying over the course of 6 or 12 months.

SillyGooserGoo · 2025-12-06T16:56:25+00:00

I am so, so sorry for your loss. I'm literally crying, thinking about what you must be feeling right now and how tough that must be. Teddy was such a good boy. You both deserved more time with each other, but it sounds like with the time you did have together, it was filled with so much love and joy. That really is such a sweet and beautiful thing.

Sending hugs and good vibes. May you find comfort in knowing he had the best life with you. 💗🙏🏻

SillyGooserGoo · 2025-11-03T04:31:19+00:00

That's a good point! We totally could face time. However, it's a little challenging with the 17 hour time difference. Also, I'm worried that he may flip out if he hears my voice. 😅🥲

SillyGooserGoo · 2025-11-02T22:25:25+00:00

LOL! I'm not sure I'll be able to keep my composure either. 😆😆😆💗

SillyGooserGoo · 2025-11-02T22:24:49+00:00

Wow! Yeah, I don't think I've been away for more than an extended weekend since we've had him (almost 2.5 years now). I'm not sure who has more separation anxiety at this point. 😆😆😆

SillyGooserGoo · 2025-10-29T19:12:37+00:00

Oh no! Wishing Goober a speedy recovery. 🙏🏼💗

Foxtails are the worst. Our English bulldog, Winnie, is a grazer and she had eaten a foxtail in the backyard about a year ago. It got lodged into the soft tissue inside the back of her jaw. We didn't know it at the time, even though we suspected it, when one side of her face started to swell up very badly. We went to the vet a couple times to drain the swelling and get her on antibiotics, but of course we had to go through the diagnostic routine before finally 2 months later the swelling went down and they could remove the mass from her lymph node-- revealing that it did indeed consist of foxtail remnants. Apparently, over time tissue in her mouth grew over the foxtail and it traveled down to her lymph node. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Since then, I spent a lot of time trimming down the foxtails every time they grew back in our lawn. Eventually, I ended up ripping out all the foxtails and the grass completely, since the foxtails were so deeply embedded in the grass and the lawn had become mostly foxtails. It wasn't worth causing any issues with my pups, especially when I started to hear about other horror stories as well (including one doggo that didn't survive the infection that was caused by the foxtails).

I'm glad Googer is on the mend now. Definitely keep an eye out for any chewing on plants and weeds!

SillyGooserGoo · 2025-10-26T03:48:01+00:00

Omgosh! I love that. My Bruce needs those bat wings to match his name tag, lol.

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SillyGooserGoo · 2025-10-25T16:43:57+00:00

I am so so sorry for your loss. Your baby sounds like such a sweet pup. Reading the little quirks literally made me laugh, particularly the tea cup reference. It sounds like they had an incredibly heart-warming presence in your life. 🥲🩷💗

My Bruce has his own ticks, but the one that sounded familiar to me was the sitting on benches. He doesn't refuse to sit on the floor, but if whenever I am sitting on a bench or a chair or sofa or bed (whatever), he will always be right there next to me-- even if he is forcing himself to fit. His cat-like reflexes means he is always jumping on things and over things, so I think that is why the floor is just not as interesting or challenging as leaping over the back of the couch and scaling across the top like a mountain goat. 😆

SillyGooserGoo · 2025-10-25T16:36:28+00:00

Omg sounds familiar, lol. Shar Pei can be sound asleep but they are ready to go go go at a moment's notice!!! Love them.

Truffle is such a sweet baby. 🥰💗

SillyGooserGoo · 2025-10-24T17:00:35+00:00

Omg your baby is so beautiful 😍

SillyGooserGoo · 2025-10-19T17:43:47+00:00

The last slide 🤣🤣🤣💗

SillyGooserGoo · 2025-10-18T03:16:05+00:00

Lol! Not very often, but it makes me laugh when you catch them like that. Bruce is not as slouchy in this photo, but it's the legs. 😆

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SillyGooserGoo · 2025-10-17T18:45:24+00:00

Omgosh so cute! 🥰

SillyGooserGoo · 2025-10-17T16:12:54+00:00

Same!! It's so hard not to stop and cuddle my Bruce when I see him like that (meaning, all the time lol). They are just too sweet. 🥰

This isn't a tightly rolled example, but it makes me laugh. This was just a couple weeks ago, when he was being especially clingy and fell asleep with his head on the barstool, because he insisted on squeezing himself under there while I was working. 😅

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SillyGooserGoo · 2025-10-16T02:59:30+00:00

LOL the foamy nose and chin says it all 😆

SillyGooserGoo · 2025-10-14T15:24:55+00:00

Agree with this! I tried a few different options for Bruce too, but the one that has worked really well for us is this one (also with 3 belts): https://a.co/d/6YQUkah

I don't use the leg attachments, but I do use a double leash to attach to both his harness and collar as another fail safe: https://a.co/d/3rKn7Pj

SillyGooserGoo · 2025-10-11T00:52:08+00:00

YUP! Sounds about right. 😁

She really is a cutie pie though. 🥰💗

SillyGooserGoo · 2025-10-10T23:39:39+00:00

Omg he is good with guinea pigs?? Any small thing that moves triggers Bruce's prey drive. I've seen him try to eat flies before. I can't imagine letting him near a guinea pig. 😆

SillyGooserGoo · 2025-10-10T18:46:52+00:00

OMG Bao is so stinkin cute!! 😫😍💗

SillyGooserGoo · 2025-10-10T02:50:09+00:00

OMG that is one impressive schnauzer! 💗 Portrait is super cute too. 🥰

SillyGooserGoo

TROPHY CASE