Why are foxtails bad for dogs

Apply a Pre-Emergent in Spring The best way to deal with foxtail weed in your lawn is to stop it before it starts. Since foxtail is a grass, broadleaf herbicides do not control it. Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide that will kill foxtail as well as most all other plants grasses and broad leaved. Spray the pasture with glyphosate Round Up or Honcho, for example.

The foxtails all have a ligule that is hair-like. One of the most distinguishing features of the foxtails is the color and size of the fuzzy foxtail seed heads Figure 1. Yellow foxtail has a compact seed head with soft, yellow bristles or awns while the seed head on green foxtail is usually green or purple-tinted. Skip to content. Is there anything more beautiful than rolling hills of grass?

In some cases, the answer to that is a clear YES! At least when it is foxtail grass. When you are the owner of a dog, you realize that a trip across a field full of Foxtail grass can result in Foxtail seeds all over the dog. So what should you be aware of when encountering foxtail grass?

Take a read below! Foxtail grass is a weed found almost all over the world in fields. You can recognize it for its spiny shape. Foxtail seed has barbed seed heads, which give the shape. The shape allows the seed to lodge and burrow itself into almost anything. That includes dogs. Foxtail seeds can wedge themselves into almost all parts of the body.

From ears and eyes to paws and the nose. Due to the shape of it, it will always move forward. Into and through the skin.

This can be uncomfortable and painful for our furry friends. It can also cause infections that will need medical attention. It can be difficult to find Foxtails that may have gotten stuck on your dog. But, there are signs to look for.

Excessive head shaking is the most obvious sign when a Foxtail seed is inside the ear. In that case, contact a veterinarian. The vet will use an otoscope to look inside the ear and determine where the seed is. As well as remove it safely. Foxtails can be found anywhere in the United States but are most common in the West. They are most often found in these places:. While they are less common in urban areas, they can still be found in areas where grass is allowed to grow uncontrolled.

When the weather is warm, the foxtail dries out and hitches a ride on anything passing by, including dogs. This hitchhiking behavior is important for foxtail seed dispersal. This commonly includes: 2. In some cases, foxtails can burrow through the skin, finding their way into the spine or chest and belly cavities.

Once inside, the foxtail continues to burrow, bringing bacteria and dirt along with it. This can lead to much more serious conditions because internal organs may be affected. The foxtail will continue to cause problems until it is removed. In some cases, advanced diagnostic tests and procedures may be required to identify and remove the foxtail. Head shaking. In the worst case scenarios, an embedded foxtail can make it to vital organs, including the lungs, spinal cord or brain, heart, and abdominal organs, causing symptoms specific to that organ.

In very bad cases, surgery may be required to remove foxtails or treat infection resulting from embedded foxtails. Early removal of the foxtail is important.