I hate foxtails
By Christie Keith
May 19, 2007
California is a beautiful place to live. We have near-perfect weather, the Pacific Ocean, the Sierras, the redwood forests, a thriving economy, and seriously, I was born here, I’ll die here. I love it here.
But we also have something else, something that puts fear into the heart of every California dog owner, something so wrong, so foul, so terrifying, that no one who has ever owned or loved a dog in this state won’t shudder when I name it. I speak, of course, of the evil little weed known as the foxtail.
I can hear you saying, “Er, Christie, plants can’t be evil. They have neither minds nor souls.”
You’re wrong. Well, foxtails may not have souls, I’m willing to concede that, but they do have minds. I’m sure of it. They plot and plan how best to drive themselves into our dogs’ tender flesh, to slip between the toe and the nail, to be snorted into the vulnerable nasal passages, to work their way into the ear canal.
There is not one orifice on my dogs that a foxtail has not invaded. Not one inch of tender flesh that hasn’t been punctured. Not one organ that has not had a foxtail threaten it in some dog somewhere here in the great golden state of California which, by the way, is “golden” not by virtue of its rich heritage of native plants, but the insidious European grasses brought here in the guts of European livestock.
Grasses that out-competed the innocent California bunch grasses and wildflowers and drove them to extinction or its brink. Grasses that include the foxtail, a grass the awn of which lies so close to the stalk that it can only go in, but pulls up like the fletching on an arrow and refuses to go back out, until tracked down by a sharp medical instrument.
So far this year, dogs belonging to both Gina and me have been attacked by this devious little destroyer masquerading as grass. Her Heather McKenzie has one somewhere in her armpit area, and my Rebel has one between his toes. We’ve already been to the vet, Gina more than once. In fact, Heather has had full surgery and they still haven’t tracked the damn thing down. And Gina’s well into the four figures on the vet bills now.
Today, I had Rebel at the ER, where they gave him a local anesthetic and did their best, but were unable to find the sinister thing. Monday, Rebel goes in so a surgeon can anesthetize him and dig and cut until the tiny little bit of plant matter is expunged. Until then, he’s on antibiotics and pain meds, and limping out to potty instead of going for the long romping walks he’s used to. And I’m also looking at a four-figure vet bill.
I hate foxtails. I hate them with a burning passion that cannot be abated. I wish that every last one of them in the state of California would shrivel, its seeds infertile and doomed, its very genetic code obliterated from the DNA bank of the planet.
California dog owners, be wary and alert during foxtail season, which runs basically from spring until fall. Check your dogs frequently for mysterious bits of plant matter anywhere on their coats, between their toes, working their way into their skin. If your dog is suddenly licking at a toe, pawing at their ears, or has a lump or swelling anywhere, get your vet to check it out. I’ve known dogs who died from foxtails that had worked their way to the lungs, the intestines, in one case, via the ear, to the brain.
It’s true I’ve written this in a somewhat joking manner. That’s because if I don’t laugh, I’ll cry. But take this warning seriously: watch out for foxtails. Eradicate them from your property, and watch for them when walking your dogs in parks, wildlands, pasture, or field.
You may not believe the foxtail actually possesses the ability to think, strategize, plan, and evade detection, and I can understand that. Don’t believe it. But act as if you do, because it behaves as if it does.
You’re so right Christie and I appreciate your giving everyone this warning. I had a dog once that got one in his eye… req’d surgery to get it removed. Last year when we moved back to California we got a new Vet and when taking our big dog out to use the bathroom on THEIR PROPERTY, he inhaled a foxtail through his nose and immediately began sneezing non-stop. The Vet never even asked what was wrong with him… we went home and he continued to sneeze. We called the vet and said he must’ve picked up something on their property and they said they are aware there are foxtails and that he probably had one in his nose. I was shocked they said that but never looked at him when he was in there… anyways, to make a long story short, our dog finally expelled the darn thing after sneezing for 2 days straight. We were going to take him into another vet. That vet is no longer our vet because of that incident and a few others. They told us that we should have demanded to have them look at our dog when we were in there and that it was not their responsibility that our dog got a foxtail in his nostril even though the thing was on their property. Unreal!
Comment by Brigitte — May 19, 2007 @ 11:11 pm
aww, I’m so sorry to hear about Heather and Rebel!! I so dread them when I move back there. Gotta say, that’s one very big upside to Brooklyn, no foxtails when walking the river or in the parks.
Just a heads up for cat owners if you let your cats out (in enclosed area or walk them on a leash ;)) I know of a cat that didn’t survive one 15yrs ago. I know the kitty had at least one op to try and save it. nasty things those evil little buggers!
Comment by straybaby — May 19, 2007 @ 11:14 pm
Not Heather … McKenzie. :)
Christie and I were BOTH at the vet’s at the same time, in separate cities, dealing with the dratted things. Poor McKenzie will have a SECOND surgery next week to try to dig out the same %*&#$! foxtail they couldn’t find last time.
Yep, I HATE foxtails!
Comment by Gina Spadafori — May 19, 2007 @ 11:43 pm
I’m horrified. Although Maine can’t compete with you in the weather department (Spring hasn’t actually bothered to show up yet here) we do have foxtails. I see them mostly at the high-tide line and try not to take the dogs into the saltmarsh when they are at their most dangerous. I’ve known people who picked them for dry arrangements and then learned that they shatter and fly about everywhere. We also have porcupines, we hardly need a vegetable porcupine threatening the dogs as well. But it sounds as though you have a much greater problem.
Comment by Nancy Nielsen — May 20, 2007 @ 4:37 am
I too hate foxtails. I keep my dogs away from dry weedy paths and never let them off to roam freely - and when it is soooo hard to avoid the foxtails, we head for the mountains, the sea shore, or the State Capitol Park - and this morning it is Murrphy’s to ponder over one of Mark Twains favorite haunts and cool our heels in a dog friendly stream right near the heart of town.
Comment by Linda — May 20, 2007 @ 7:02 am
Another Cali resident who absolutely abhors these nasty, henious buggers. They have such a menacing way of ruining an otherwise great jaunt in the outdoors. Usually with my dogs it’s inhaled up their noses and it’s painful to watch your dog try to expel that fracking things as you rush them to your vet.
I wish there a way to add some mela-fertilizer to foxtails in such a way to cauterize them from the planet without harming surrounding soil & plants. GRRRRR.
I hope Rebel & McKenzie are able to ostracize theirs soon. Poor babys!
Comment by Ally — May 20, 2007 @ 7:58 am
Those foxtails are EVIL! In CT they were rare but now in AZ, they are awful! Not only eyes,ears and nose but they can get in through the skin and feet and travel to other body organs creating all kinds of problems. I have had friends whose dogs have had foxtail migrate to the brain and the back of eyes. They are very dangerous.
Christie and Gina,
I hope your guys are doing okay, and surgeons can find the foxtail without any problems.
Katie
Comment by Katie — May 20, 2007 @ 9:06 am
I hope I don’t get in trouble for this, but as close as I can tell, the main reason most dog owners walk their dogs is so they may defecate in someone elses yard. Also as close as I can tell, it is a rare municipality that does not have a leash and scoop law. To circumvent leash laws, the trend is toward those 40 foot long string set ups that do nothing whatsoever to control the dog.
Now, I’ll admit I don’t know the full circumstances involved in what is being discussed, so I’ll just ask: How much of the above sounds familiar, and if the problem with foxtails could be largely avoided through a more responsible and civic minded approach to dog ownership?
Comment by Don — May 20, 2007 @ 2:03 pm
Christie and Gina, I hope your dogs will be fine.
I took a couple snaps of my sneakers after walking across a friend’s pasture yesterday —- the photos are on my blog, for any out-of-staters unfamiliar with foxtails. I suspect the only way to avoid foxtails completely here in California is to keep a dog indoors all the time.
Comment by Luisa — May 20, 2007 @ 5:21 pm
Don,
My dogs pick up these things during field training, on their three-time-a-week leashed run on public trails, and also on my own acreage. People may walk dogs so that the animals can relieve themselves, but the more dog-savvy do it because almost every dog alive in this country is not getting enough exercise, leading to behavior and health problems.
You cannot exercise a dog with a short neighborhood walk on a six-foot leash. Keeping my dogs fit is a part-time job, and foxtails are a “benefit.”
I take it you have an issue with where dogs go, and I get that, and acknowledge it. Too many people don’t pick up after their dogs.
But honestly, these foxtails can be anywhere, and there’s no avoiding them in California from spring to fall if you let your dog out of the house.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — May 20, 2007 @ 5:50 pm
Don,
Speaking for myself, I take my dogs for walks for exercise, training, and a chance to read the neighborhood’s tree mail. Walks are the highlight of each of my dog’s day and provide us an opportunity to share bonding time. I often refer to our walks as my “zen” time. Not only do I experience a growing closeness with my dogs, I relax, find the chill zone out just let my thoughts flow.
As a responsible dog owner, I carry bags and clean up after my dogs. In fact most people in my surrounding neighborhood do. I think that’s quite something considering I live in the metropolis known as L.A. Sadly, some dog owners do not, but where I live, most do.
Another reason for taking my dogs for walks: socialization. Socializing dogs is extremely important for teaching then what is acceptable behavior and what is not; not only with other dogs, but with humans too. Doing so also allows neighbors to be aware of our ‘hood’s dogs in case one goes missing, while also providing wonderful therapy dog training for my dogs.
As for foxtails, they are indeed present everywhere. Be it the urban environs or hiking trails, you cannot escape them. With land being at a premium, not everyone is wealthy enough to afford acreage. With off leash dog parks often being few & far between, walks are the best option to enjoy vital physical and mental exercise. Human companions also enjoy the benefit of exercise which for someone like me (arthritis) is highly valuable in retaining as much range of motion as possible.
Bottom line: Most folks don’t get a dog to keep them cooped inside a house. There’s an entire world out there to explore and by doing so with my dogs, I help make their lives as rich & enjoyable as possible.
Comment by Ally — May 21, 2007 @ 7:11 am
“chill zone out” above = “chill zone”
*memo to self: imbibe more koffee before attempting to type*
Comment by Ally — May 21, 2007 @ 7:12 am
Don,
just wanted to let you know that, for the most part, my dogs do not go to the bathroom in public. They are well-trained and I do not allow them to make unwelcomed deposits. But not every one is like that - I know. As I avoid certain trails by the river because of the mass of dog poohs, and I understand why dogs are banned from areas in our National or State parks. Owners are not thoughtful. I also do not walk my dogs in my neighborhood but take to them parks, some large ones are near me, where dogs are very welcome.
As to the fox tails - so far I have never had one problem with them - but maybe I am just lucky. In S&R work, we always tranined in the high mountains away from foxtails and a very nice lady who trained with me advised me to train only in groomed parks and away from the rivers and weeds.
Comment by Linda — May 21, 2007 @ 9:38 am
Gina and all,
Thanks for the clairification. I was mainly curious if keeping the dog on a short leash would help cure the problem. It sounds like in at least one example, that works, but isn’t an option when field training is required. If the problem is on your own lot, I’d suggest going out with a sprayer loaded with Roundup once a month until you fight it to a draw.
Comment by Don — May 21, 2007 @ 3:32 pm
I’ll just ask: How much of the above sounds familiar, and if the problem with foxtails could be largely avoided through a more responsible and civic minded approach to dog ownership?
Ummm, none? My dog got his foxtail in a dog park.
Paid for by my responsible and civic minded taxes.
I NEVER let my dogs potty in anyone else’s yard, and I walk them so that they, and I, can have exercise, fresh air, quality of life, and smell stuff. You should try it.
Comment by Christie Keith — May 21, 2007 @ 3:40 pm
So, the surgeon and my internal medicine specialist sedated Rebel and probed the opening between his toes, and decided it was possible the nasty little foxtail got flushed out when it was opened up on Saturday (tried to think of a non-gross way to express that, failed).
So, we’re on two weeks of hot soaking, antibiotics, and “wait and see.” If after he’s off the antibiotics, it comes back, we know it’s still in there, and we’ll do surgery.
Sigh.
But thanks for all the warm wishes! Rebel and I appreciate them!
Comment by Christie Keith — May 21, 2007 @ 3:43 pm
RE: …and smell stuff. You should try it.
Ummm…. perhaps not.
Good luck on getting your friend fixed up.
Comment by Don — May 21, 2007 @ 9:01 pm
Don, do you have a dog?
If so, do you walk him/her?
Comment by The OTHER Pat — May 21, 2007 @ 9:12 pm
Don,
I forgot to mention something when speaking about cleaning up after my dogs. I wish I could say the same thing about neighborhood cats who leave their deposits in or near my vegetable garden or back yard.
Why don’t more cat owners clean up after their cats or require them to defecate only in their own yards? I’m sure some do, but I’ve never once seen a cat owner on my street do so. As for my own yard, I clean up my neighbor’s cat’s deposits myself since I know she isn’t going to take care of it.
It cuts both ways, Don. At least I take care of any deposits my pets may leave.
Comment by Ally — May 22, 2007 @ 6:51 am
I stumbled into this BLOG as I was researching for Foxtails. I heard of it from a friend, but didn’t have a good understanding of it. So as I was reading the whole BLOG, the most surprising one is from Don (obviously). He got many readers replies and attention, including myself.
Don, may be you know that by now, as a responsible dog owner like myself and many others here, we exercise our dogs daily – I mean real exercise and good socialization time is always essential. A 10 minutes mild walk in the neighborhood just don’t do the justice for our 4 legs friends – that is call a walk. Even my dog knows the difference when I say “go for a walk” and “go to the park or beach”.
As someone mentioned socialization earlier, I just took my dog “7” to the emergency room yesterday because he got attacked at the beach. “7” is so accustom to all his friends at the park, sometime he forgot not all dogs are friendly. Yesterday was a bad day for him. A not so friendly dog was off-leash at the beach and pawed “7” with a very deep 5 inches cut across his right side belly. I heard “7” yelped but didn’t know that was a cut at first, I just asked “7” to leave that dog and not to have anything to do with him. A few minutes later, my heart dropped when I saw that deep cut on “7”. I went back to that dog’s owner and for the purpose of informing her what had happened. She just kept denying her dog would not have done that, and told me “your dog must have got it from somewhere else”. I figured people like that would never admit any wrong doing in their part – and even I was not there blame her – all I want her to know is her dog is a little too aggressive to be off-leash. “7” was traumatized from that incident, the doctor had to operate him and I hope he will be back to normal in 2 weeks.
Good luck to you all. Let’s do our best to keep our friends from Foxtails.
Comment by Amada — April 14, 2008 @ 6:59 pm
I came across your article in a google search, and I just wanted to comment on how well-written it is!
I HATE FOXTAILS!!! I hate them, I despise them, I abhor, detest, and loathe them. In fact, on my silly myspace page, I posted a blog a while back titled “Foxtails: The Bane of my Summertime Existence.”
I cannot even believe the number of times my dogs have been attacked by them; particularly given the fact that I do EVERYTHING possible to stear clear of them on walks, etc.
When I was going to school in Berkeley, I was living in an apartment, so I had to take my dogs to the dog park every day. Once the summer hit, the entire dog park was nothing but foxtails. The whole thing!!! The rest of the area (Berkeley marina grounds), where the people picnic and the children play, was beautifully landscaped with grass, and not one foxtail in sight.
The dog park, which was built on top of a possibly toxic landfill (there are signs that warn people of this possibility), doesn’t even have one square inch of grass in it. :( SO unfair.
Anyway, I was a broke college student, and all of my dogs ended up with foxtails that had to be removed from their throats, ears, noses, etc.
My dog Fred was hospitalized for 3 weeks because, presumably, he inhaled a foxtail which went into his lung and basically killed two lobes (to put it simply).
Thank goodness Fred is here today. I had to defer my Berkeley enrollment for a YEAR and take on three jobs (his grand total for vet care was unbelievable).
I live in Morgan Hill, CA. now. The other day, I was cleaning the lawn in my backyard, and scanning with eagle eyes to make sure that there wasn’t one single foxtail plant anywhere in my yard, and lo and behold! I FOUND ONE!!!!! I completely freaked out and ripped the dreaded things out of the ground. I didn’t uproot the whole plant, and I swear that they were back a couple of days later.
What is it with this plant?!? How can anything be SO evil???? :’(
My unfriendly next door neighbor has a dog who lives in a yard that is nothing but a big field of foxtails. I see other dogs in this town who live in similar conditions, and my heart breaks for them. They must be suffering SO much, not getting the attention and love that they need and deserve (they are basically backyard or front yard guard dogs who no one ever pays attention to, and who are never allowed inside the house).
Wow. This ended up being really long! I wish that there was no hatred to share about foxtails, but since there is, thank you for posting this. I don’t feel quite so alone.
Comment by Katie — June 30, 2008 @ 9:43 am
I’ve been reading this blog as I wonder what to do! We’ve had more than our share of those rotten foxtails. Saturday our Bichon started sneezing (about 8 times), then stopped. Yesterday he did the same. So far today, no sneezing. He does have one of those reverse coughs which is not unusual for him. Vet or no vet???? Any thoughts.
Comment by Doreen Alexander — June 1, 2009 @ 11:38 am
“If the problem is on your own lot, I’d suggest going out with a sprayer loaded with Roundup once a month until you fight it to a draw.”
Comment by Don — May 21, 2007 @ 3:32 pm
Foxtails (and there is more than one species) are one of the most common weeds in North America. A study done by some co-workers showed that green foxtail (Setaria viridis) was present in almost every farm field they surveyed in Western Canada over a 10-year period.
Wanna tell me how the hell you Round-up that?
You can effectively control foxtail in your own yard (mowing is the easiest, since it prevents the seed heads, and thus the awns from forming). However, we cannot prevent foxtail from growing in the first place, and we cannot prevent it from setting seed in any un-mowed area - along train tracks, ditches, field edges, etc. The best way to prevent foxtail injury is to check the dog after exposure in an area with foxtails, and to keep in mind the possibility of foxtail injury if the dog starts sneezing, scratching at an ear, etc.
Comment by K. B. — July 31, 2009 @ 2:01 pm
More than two years later … and we STILL HATE FOXTAILS!!!
Comment by Gina Spadafori — July 31, 2009 @ 2:09 pm
Oh, yeah. Foxtails are 100%. Pure. Evil.
Comment by Dennis the Vizsla — August 19, 2009 @ 10:21 pm
Hi,
My 15 yr old Annie we are sure has foxtail in her nose from a trip we made fishing in Eastern Washington. She loves to go ferreting out patridges in the bushes and I was not aware of foxtail and its dangers. We have taken her to the vet twice and he has tried antibiotics and prednisone (which makes her crazy but at least stopped the bleeding) but our vet doesn’t have a endoscope to do a rhinoscopy and not many places I have come to find out do and we were told it would be $1200 just to do the procedure with out any guarantees. Unfortunately our financial situation is such that we can not afford to do that right now, and it is very hard to see our girl not be able to breath and be snorting, snarfing and uncomfortable. Is there ever a possibility that this thing will work itself out or go away on it’s own. If it has been in there for a long time, is it possible to flush it out?
At this point, I don’t know what we will do.
Thanks for your help, after reading this sight, I’m even more depressed.
Comment by Barb Webb — November 19, 2009 @ 3:01 pm
I only train in Urban areas because I hate foxtails and simply cannot afford the risk inherent in fields. When I look at a field I shudder knowing it equates to “Foxtails.” So my Coonhounds are good Urban trackers because I learned from the bad experience of others not to let my dogs out and about where the Foxtails grow. And I keep my dogs away from the river for the same reason.
Of course this is just my personal preference.
Comment by Snoopys Friend — November 19, 2009 @ 3:12 pm
I spent in the range of $3K, with three surgeries to dig a foxtail out of McKenzie. And a piece of it is still there, thankfully walled off in a permanent lump.
Sorry to say, foxtails do NOT wash out. The are designed to go in a forward direction only. I do not know what to say about your dog, Barb, but a physical intervention by a veterinarian will likely be necessary to resolve this issue.
Foxtails are Teh Evil.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — November 19, 2009 @ 3:17 pm
Thanks for a well-written piece that describes the anguish of dog-lovers. We just got Samson back from the UC Davis Vet Med Teaching Hospital. He went through Hell (and emegency surgery & six days of hospitalization); we are grateful for good vets and that we noticed early on, “Something’s not right.” His insides were ravaged by the bacteria and the surgical team never did find the nasty little barb causing it all—only the bacteria. We have become experts on spotting the deadly weed, but I agree the genetic engineers of the world need to wipe this out, the mosquito of the dog world. By the way, You-Know-Who, when you have muscular, beautiful field & water dogs, it’s cruel to make ‘em live on a sofa. As the surgeon said, “You can’t make ‘em live in a bubble.” Thanks to all for interesting letters.
Comment by Cathy — November 28, 2009 @ 8:44 pm
One more thing (for Barb): Ask for a payment plan with the vet. It’s not going to resolve itself without intervention. What I’ve learned is tha the bacteria associated with the foxtail will pretty much destroy the poor gal’s insides and cause suffering you can’t see from just the snorting, etc. I’m sorry.
Comment by Cathy — November 28, 2009 @ 8:50 pm