Foxtails Warning

Hi Everyone, just wanted to let you know that my co-worker's puppy had to go to the ER yesterday because a foxtail got stuck in her ear and started burrowing deeper near the ear drum. Foxtails can enter through the nose and burrow through skin and organs, causing infections.

Now that it's spring, Foxtails can be everywhere, so please be careful and avoid areas with heavy weeds. Check the paws and ears after each walk. If your corgi shows any sign of irritation or trying to shake off something, please check carefully and pull the foxtails out quickly if you can.

If you are in San Diego, please avoid Fiesta Island area. That's where my co-worker's puppy got the foxtail. She also heard from several other dog owners living in the area that their dogs had the same issue.

Thanks! and be safe!

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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on April 21, 2009 at 4:10pm

Might help to know what it looks like. The "foxtail" links below show either 2 different kinds of grass, or one kind in different stages of maturation:
"foxtails"
foxtails
foxtail

I've heard of people throwing away their socks after walking through ripe cheat grass, and seen people walking with full mountain gaitors in the desert in cheat grass season:
cheat grass
cheat grass

Just more charming exotic species wreaking environmental havoc. I wonder if, like the tamarisk that's choking the canyonlands, or the starling, they were brought here INTENTIONALLY by some evil genius?