Sam’s pet mom noted swelling on one side of his face and it didn’t seem to be going away.  She brought him to see the team at Silicon Valley Pet Clinic and they diagnosed an abscess that was draining pus into his mouth – yuCk!!  Surgery was recommended to lance the abscess because antibiotics alone cannot reach the infection without a good blood supply.  Sam’s mom reached out to SAGE Compassion for Animals to help fund the surgery.  Not only was the abscess drained, but the cause was found!  The dreaded California fox tail!  Fox tails are abundant in our communities, especially with the drought, and can burrow deep under the skin and mucus membranes and into your pet if first caught in their fur, or perhaps eaten in Sam’s case.  Make sure to check ears, eyes, mouth, and paws after every walk in the California wilds!