The Danger of Foxtails: Bruno's story

A poodle-gram from Randi filled the email boxes of BAPR members: “A small white poodle needs foster care. Soon.” What’s new? Another little fuzzy white dog needs a place to stay until it finds a home. Then we learned the details and the poor little guy’s story became quite different.

Bruno was a mess, and that really doesn’t describe his condition when the shelter got him. He wasn’t even named Bruno yet. He was a stray roaming Oakland and needed a lot of attention after arriving at the shelter. Besides needing nourishment and grooming, the little guy was ravaged by foxtails. Little pointy seeds burrowing under his skin, some migrating towards vital organs. The shelter's vet had removed about a dozen of them along his neck, chest and abdomen. But more were lurking, undetected. The shelter had named him Foxy with good intentions, but Randi insisted we choose another for him. A name to avoid remembering his experience, and something manly.

That’s when he came into our lives. Randi handed him off to us at the Marin Humane Society Shelter. Six pounds of skin and bone, covered in sutures and drain tubes. He could barely walk he was so weak. We were asked to nurse the little guy back to health and give him a new name, like, maybe, Bruno. After a few days we agreed that “Bruno” was a good fit, but the medical care would take longer. We had no experience dealing with foxtails. What’s a foxtail anyway? We learned about foxtails and we learned how to care for Bruno. With wonderful support from BAPR and excellent vet care, he had a future.

Bruno settled in very well, meeting Reggie, taking his medicine, eating, and being loved by us. Walking him on a leash was not an option due to the sutures and drains around his neck and chest (no collars or harnesses). Until then, Bruno used the back garden, staying home when we walked Reggie. Eventually, Bruno did start walking with us. As his strength returned, he'd walk a little, and we'd carry him a bit. With Reggie lifting his leg on every shrub and post, Bruno was not to be outdone. But he didn't have good balance yet, so when Bruno lifted his leg the poor little guy fell over. In those first weeks, it was hard to be optimistic about Bruno's future. As his first follow-up visit to the vet approached, we noticed some swelling in new areas and some incisions were not healing.

We arranged to take Bruno to a local vet that BAPR fosters use in our area. After Bruno's first visit there, the vet explained in unpleasant detail what foxtails do to dogs, and what we could do about them. It wasn’t clear yet how much effort would be necessary as evidence of more foxtails emerged over the following weeks. There was no way to know how many had burrowed in and which ones might cause harm. Was BAPR willing to support his treatment? Randi was ready - repeatedly. Bruno eventually had 67 foxtails removed in 5 different surgeries (including the one at the shelter). Some removals were simple, others required more invasive exploration. But the effort and commitment paid off. After 3 months of visits to the vet for surgeries and follow-ups, daily doses of antibiotics and pain relievers, and soakings in Epsom salts, the infections stopped and Bruno was declared foxtail-free, except for one. The vet suspected there was one more behind his left eye, and it was, at that time, inaccessible.

Near the end of Bruno’s treatment, when we felt confident about his survival we put him up for adoption. His incisions were healing nicely, his coat coming back shiny and soft, he could pee on three legs, and he could finally jump into our laps (by invitation of course). Bruno was a new dog. Despite his medical ordeal, he remained the sweetest little dog, always ready to play with us and Reggie. He would be a great pet for someone special. Someone with a heart as big as his, willing to take a chance with him. After all, there was, possibly, still one more foxtail.

Bruno’s match appeared. A wonderful person was interested, so we met and got acquainted. Bruno was irresistible. It wasn’t an easy decision for anyone - for us to give him up and for Bruno’s new person to take him given his history and the uncertainty with that last foxtail. There were more visits and negotiations, and Bruno finally got his new home. He has a wonderful life with someone who will love him forever. Bruno became a part of our family while we had him, so we couldn't let him go without requesting occasional visits. We do see him now and then, and he is doing great. Bruno’s the happiest, friendliest little fuzzy white dog around.