Comments on: Northern Hemisphere Alert: It’s Foxtail Season!

By: Barb

Barb — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:29:35 +0000

Hi,
My dog is a malamute and she had been romping in an area in central oregon where ticks and foxtail are prevalent. I took her to a vet a 10 days after our trip because she was developing and lump around an area where it was red and a puncture wound existed. He thought it could be a foxtail barb and suggested antibiotics for a week and if that doesn’t make it better, a $700.00 surgery. I got a second opinion and this vet does not think it is foxtail because he said the hole would not cover over, that it would weep. Does anyone have experience with this?
thanks,

By: Amanda C

Amanda C — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 20:06:26 +0000

I’ve seen these grasses everywhere in the summer in the Uk, never knew they could be such a problem!
Luckily my cats are in an area where all grass is mown and NEVER goes to seed. However, my dads cat Barney had to have an eye removed from infection, and their garden is VERY overgrown. Its worth bearing in mind what plants can do to your pets.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 13:28:55 +0000

I have a field next to my house that my cat LOVES! I’m aware that there are foxtails out there and it is next to impossible to keep her out. She was out there on Sat and hasn since started sneezing on Sun morning. She has had 2 short waves of violent sneezing. My questions is: The vets closed today – is it going to be dangerous to wait until tomorrow to have her checked? What if they can’t find it? what happens to the foxtail at that point? If anyone has any insight it would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks!
Lisa

By: Mustache

Mustache — Tue, 20 May 2008 20:44:35 +0000

I know all about these. They are pesky little things. We thought we had them all out but the groomer found some in my feet and warned us to be careful because they cause infections really easily. Good to know now the trick is how to avoid them here in California where they are EVERYWHERE!!!!

By: schmitty

schmitty — Tue, 20 May 2008 06:48:00 +0000

Pooch Press Conference

By: schmitty

schmitty — Tue, 20 May 2008 06:46:53 +0000

By: schmitty

schmitty — Tue, 20 May 2008 06:44:36 +0000

Oooops I hit enter too soon by mistake!

I meant to say:

By: schmitty

schmitty — Tue, 20 May 2008 06:40:24 +0000

My mom gives me garlic to fight the tics in the park. Are there Foxtails in New York City?

I need to stay healthy so I can BARK THE VOTE

Check out my other views at:

By: Carla

Carla — Mon, 19 May 2008 23:25:46 +0000

Living on a ranch in Northern CA, we perform a daily foxtail check on all our pets (1 dog and 3 cats) and daily brushing, too. Even this is not enough to prevent foxtails… one of our cats picked up a foxtail in its eye on Saturday. We thought we removed it, but a visit to our vet today confirmed another foxtail and part of another in the eye-which were removed.

Another tactic we do is a short cut for all the long haired pets. The foxtail still grab onto the coat, but at least you can easily see it for removal.

By: Check Out the Dogster Vet Blog for Info on Foxtail Season | Pets

Check Out the Dogster Vet Blog for Info on Foxtail Season | Pets — Mon, 19 May 2008 23:21:08 +0000

[...] Do you live in an area of North America with those pesky and dangerous plant pods known as Foxtails? If so, check out Dogster’s Vet Blog for info on Foxtail season. [...]