What are foxtails, and why are they dangerous?

Foxtails.

It sounds like such an innocent name. In reality, this moniker describes a wide range of grass-like plants (weeds, mostly) that have barbed seeds, also called grass awns. 

Foxtail seeds have only one goal in life: travel as far as they can, sink their barbs into whatever they can find, and migrate forward. They don't break down, not even when embedded in a dog's skin for months or years. 

This impressive resilience and determination is wonderful for the plant - and horrendous for dogs. Foxtail seeds can be very small, less than an inch long, and one sniff can send them deep into a dog's nasal passage. They can also embed themselves in dogs' paws, ears, eyes, mouth, and just about anywhere else. 

Our experience with foxtail injuries

Ruby and I learned the hard way just how dangerous foxtails can be. Even knowing how to recognize them, picking them out of her paws and fur meticulously, and avoiding areas with a lot of them, we have still suffered foxtail injuries. Recently, Ruby had a mysterious mass swell up on her ribcage, and with no other explanation for the abscess on the inside, the surgeon strongly suspected a stray foxtail seed from months ago. 

It turns out, foxtail seeds can enter through their skin and leave no trace. No open wound or even a scratch or small hole. 

Preventing foxtail encounters

Preventing these injuries requires us to stay vigilant. Foxtails are most dangerous when they're dry and yellow, as this is when the barbs harden. Avoiding areas with clear foxtails growing - especially during the spring and summer months - is the number one mitigation strategy. You can usually find them on the sides of roads and in open fields. 

Second to that is checking your dog every time you get back from an adventure, because sometimes even small patches of these plants can grow amongst other plants. Paws are typically the most susceptible. 

The good news is, foxtails don't grow everywhere, and they're usually highly visible especially once they turn yellow. Look for tall, grass-like plants with fronds that have wispy ends and sharp barbs. Check for areas where these may have been mowed down as well.

Foxtails aren't going to stop us from exploring outdoors, but we sure will avoid those areas where they grow. 

Let us know in the comments... have you encountered these dangerous plants before? What do you do to defend against them?