Call us: (949) 525-7362
thepack@ocdogranch.com
OC Dog RanchOC Dog RanchOC Dog RanchOC Dog Ranch
  • Dog Obedience
  • Boarding Services
  • Meet the Team
  • Photo Gallery
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Home

Hidden Danger in Your Yard: Foxtails

    Home Dog Health Hidden Danger in Your Yard: Foxtails
    NextPrevious

    Hidden Danger in Your Yard: Foxtails

    By Dana McMahan | Dog Health, dog training | 0 comment | 9 April, 2019 | 0

    Its a beautiful time of year, with all the rain we’ve had this year we have some amazing wild flowers filling the hillsides. Unfortunately along with the rain came a very deadly weed and its amazing how many owners don’t know how to recognize this plant.

    If you are hiking with your dog … please take a moment to learn to identify what a foxtail is and how to prevent injury to your dog.

     

    First off … what does a foxtail even look like?

     

     

    How are foxtails dangerous for dogs??

    Oh let me count the ways. These pesky plant seeds imbed themselves into dogs ears, eyes, noses, mouths or directly under the skin. If they imbed in a dog’s skin, they can literally travel underneath the skin which requires surgical removal to find where they end up. Years ago I knew a dog who swallowed one and it collapsed her lung (luckily she survived the ordeal!) I’ve known other dogs to have complications from foxtails but safe it say, you don’t want your dog anywhere near a foxtail.

     

    How do I protect my dog from foxtails?

    Prevention is key! Check your yard for these pesky weeds to grow up around the fence line. They are hardy plants and with all the rain we’ve had, trust me they are everywhere. Learn to identify them and spray your property if necessary with appropriate weed killer or pull by hand if possible.

    If you are out hiking, try and avoid patches of dried foxtail bushes if possible. If you think your dog may have encountered foxtails, the key is to thoroughly check your dog’s feet, armpits and fur for foxtails to be hiding in. Left unchecked, these will sometimes travel internally and cause serious issues so a quick check after every hike is key!

    If you are an avid hiker, chances are your dog may be running through dried up foxtails. You may consider protective face gear while out with your dog which you can at a supplier like OutFox Field Guard.

     

    How do I know if my dog has a imbedded foxtail?

    Left untreated, foxtails can cause a variety of problems. Some symptoms to look out for:

     

    • Excessive sneezing which may be indicative of a foxtail in the nose
    • Painful lump under the skin, particularly between the toes
    • Pawing or shaking ears which may be indicative of foxtail in the ears.

     

    Always get your dog to a vet if you feel they may have an imbedded foxtail so it can be properly treated. We hope you’ve familiarized yourself with foxtails so you can protect your pet this summer!

     

     

    No tags.
    Avatar

    Dana McMahan

    More posts by Dana McMahan

    Related Post

    • Wasp Repellant that WORKS!

      By Dana McMahan | 0 comment

      Summer is the season for bees/wasp to be out in full force. If you’re dealing with these stingy-pests, we’d like to share a few things we have been using at the OC Dog Ranch toRead more

    • How to Keep Your Dog Safe from Rattlesnakes

      By Dana McMahan | 0 comment

      Rattlesnake season is in full swing, and it may just seem like a way of life living in Southern California. Its commonplace to see them on trails and invading your yards if you back upRead more

    • Protect Your Dogs Feet This Summer

      By Dana McMahan | 0 comment

      The beginning of summer means lots of fun new adventures to take your dog out on. Whether its walking down the beach or hiking off trail, Southern California has endless places to go adventure withRead more

    • Fireworks and Dogs – How to survive the holidays

      By Dana McMahan | 0 comment

          The 4th of July is a fun time for celebrating, but not all of our four legged friends would agree. With BBQs and block parties also come the often dreaded fireworks. We wantedRead more

    • “Go Say Hi” – Teaching Your Dog When They Can Greet Others

      By Dana McMahan | 0 comment

      When out for a walk with your dog, it can be difficult to know where to draw the line for whether or not they can greet people you pass by. Certainly not everyone wants toRead more

    • How to teach your dog to ring bells for potty training

      By Dana McMahan | 0 comment

      So you have a new puppy and you are starting on the daunting task of house training your new pet. Maybe you have got a small play pen and pee pads set up (spoiler alert:Read more

    • Teach Your Dog to Behave in the Car

      By Dana McMahan | 0 comment

      Taking your dog for rides in the car can be a lot of fun for both you and your pet. Unfortunately, a poorly behaved co-pilot can make this a miserable experience. Often while driving downRead more

    • Submissive Urination in Dogs

      By Dana McMahan | 0 comment

      Submissive urination can be a frustrating issue for owners who are constantly cleaning up their dogs piddles. Fortunately most dogs will outgrow submissive urination between 6-9 months of age. Below we have put together aRead more

    Leave a Comment

    Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    NextPrevious

    Search Our Site

    Adoption Agencies

    Laguna Beach Shelter
    Mission Viejo Shelter
    Irvine Shelter
    Orange County Animal Shelter

    Our Site

    Dog Training
    Boarding Services
    Meet the Owner
    Blog
    Contact Us
    Home

    From the Blog

    • Wasp Repellant that WORKS!
    • How to Keep Your Dog Safe from Rattlesnakes
    • Protect Your Dogs Feet This Summer
    • Fireworks and Dogs – How to survive the holidays
    • “Go Say Hi” – Teaching Your Dog When They Can Greet Others
    • Dog Obedience
    • Boarding Services
    • Meet the Team
    • Photo Gallery
    • Blog
    • Contact Us
    • Home
    Copyright 2017 OC Dog Ranch | All Rights Reserved
    • Dog Obedience
    • Boarding Services
    • Meet the Team
    • Photo Gallery
    • Blog
    • Contact Us
    • Home
    OC Dog Ranch