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Foxtail
Grass — A Danger to Your Dog
By Marilyn Pokorney
If
you have dogs, keep the foxtail out of your lawn!
Foxtail
is a common annual grass usually considered a weed. It grows 1
to 3 feet
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tall, with branching and some spreading at ground level.
Leaf blades are 4 to 15 inches long. Flower heads are dense spikes
with yellow to reddish, green or purplish bristles. As foxtail
matures, seeds are formed at the top of the stalk. The bushy seeds
are what gives the plant the name of "foxtail."
The
danger of foxtail seeds
When mature, the seeds detach easily from the plant. This is nature’s
way of making sure that the plant reproduces. The seeds easily
cling to clothing, fur and hair. The seeds always move forward
thus penetrating the skin.
The
seeds found in the ears, eyes and nose are very serious and can
become life-threatening. But no body part is immune. The seeds
have been found in the urethra, vagina, anal glands, brain and
spinal cord of dogs. In one case a veterinarian found the seed
in the lung, but the original site of entry was the paw. The seeds
also gain entry through open wounds.
Symptoms
of seed exposure
Foxtail seeds are very tiny, so veterinarians usually go by symptoms.
If
in the nasal cavity, the dog sneezes repeatedly and violently,
often hitting the nose on the floor. If a bloody discharge is
noticed, assume it's a foxtail seed.
If
in the eye, the dog paws at the eye and the eye waters. If an
eye is glued shut, it is most likely a foxtail seed.
If
the seed is in the ear, the dog shakes its head violently from
side to side. Sometimes the dog paws a the eyes or ear, shaking
the head and squinting.
In
the mouth, foxtail seeds can cause gagging or difficulty swallowing.
If the seed gets caught between the teeth, in the gums, back of
throat or tongue, problems can result.
If
the seed lodges in the paw or under the coat, a lump will form
that is painful to the touch. Other symptoms include rubbing the
head on the ground and going round in circles, licking or biting
at the rectum or other body parts, or yelping or whining for no
obvious reason.
Foxtail
seeds can cause fatalities when they reach internal organs.
What
can you do?
In any case, do not attempt to treat the animal yourself. Get
professional help.
•
Get rid of all foxtail in your lawn or yard. If foxtail grows
in your yard, mow the grass often, especially in late spring
when the plant grows most rapidly. This prevents the plant from
ever setting seed.
• Avoid parks or other recreational areas where you know
foxtail grows.
• Always brush and inspect your dogs coat after being
in grassy areas. Dogs with long hair are even more likely to
attract the seeds than short-haired breeds.
• Examine your dog’s eyes and ears.
For
more information on how to control foxtail, visit http://www.apluswriting.net/garden/foxtails.htm.
© Marilyn Pokorney
Marilyn Pokorney is a freelance
writer on science, nature, animals and the environment. She enjoys
crafts, gardening and reading. Visit her web site at http://www.apluswriting.net.
