An Unusual Growth of Migrating Foxtail Foreign Body in A Dalmatian Dog: A Case Report

A 6-year-old spayed female Dalmatian was referred following a two-day history of purulent discharge in the medial aspect of the left femur. The wound was irrigated and antibiotic treatment was continued for 30 days with a partial response. Due to the extension of the fistula into the pelvis and the long distance to the end part of the fistula, surgery did not seem feasible. By day 40, a bump appeared at the wound location. After the foreign body was removed from this bump, it was found to be a 30 cm foxtail that had grown along the fistula path. Within five days of removing the foreign body, marked improvement was noticed with a decrease in purulent discharge, and the dog’s attitude improved considerably. Numerous reports have documented plant-like foreign objects migrating within a dog’s body. In this particular case, the significant plant growth inside the dog’s body was noteworthy.