This isn't written by me but I saw it on another forum and I couldn't find anything similar here so I thought i'd pass it along. There are pictures on the original link below if you are interested.
http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ub ... ost2321833
"Keep your dog safe and prevent contact with Canadian Rye or Foxtail seeds.
There are several species of Foxtail and also Canadian Rye, grassy weeds you need to be aware of if you are a dog owner. You may not know what Canadian Rye or foxtail is or be unaware of the danger they pose to dogs. Please be aware that these seeds do kill dogs and make many more dogs sick enough to require surgery.
Canadian Rye image below:
They grow rapidly during the winter/spring rains, and then dry out in the summer months.
As these grasses mature, a seed forms at the top of the stalk. The foxtail seed resembles a fox's tail, hence the name given to the grass. Canadian Rye looks similar to foxtail with a more wheat head look.
When dog owners talk about "foxtails or Canadian Rye," they are actually speaking of the seed portion of the grass.Once canadian rye/foxtail grasses dry out, the seed detaches easily and sticks readily to clothing and fur. Canadian rye/foxtail seeds can enter a dog's body in a variety of ways and once they enter, they act like an animated fishhook: the seed continues to move forward through the dog’s body, and because of tiny barbs, cannot move backwards.
It's most common for a canadian rye/foxtail seed to enter a dog's body through the skin, nose, ears, paws, genitals, and eyes. Cases have even been reported of canadian rye/foxtails being lodged in male dogs' urethra. One vet I spoke tomentioned how a canadian rye/foxtail seed found in a dog's lung was believed to have entered initially through thedog's paw!
Canadian rye/foxtail seeds are tenacious, and can be deadly.
The "seedlings" are physically built to burrow. While some animals do not have difficulty with the plant (horses can eat them with no side effects), and people seem to be able to remove them easily, dogs appear to have the most severe reactions to them.
Foxtail image below:
The outsides of the "seedlings" contain a bacterium with enzymes used to break down vegetation. This bacterium also allows the seedling to burrow into a dog along the tunnels of pus created by the enzyme. In fact, Dr. Amezcua informed us: pus and these seeds go hand in hand.
A foxtail or Canadian rye seed can literally go anywhere in the dog. For example, they have been found inside the brain, anal glands, eyes, ears, jowls, feet, spinal cord, lungs, and vagina.
Canadian rye/foxtail seeds are relatively small, so detecting them once they enter a dog's body can be difficult. Vets usually rely on telltale symptoms such as head-shaking, paw licking, swellings on the body, or sudden and continuous sneezing.
Canadian rye/foxtail seeds in the ears, nose, and eyes are very serious and can ultimately be life-threatening if they are not treated promptly. If a canadian rye/foxtail seed has been inhaled and lodged in the nasal cavity, the dog will sneeze repeatedly and violently, sometimes even banging their nose on the floor with each sneeze in a futile attempt to dislodgethe seed. It is often possible to sedate the animal, locate the seed with an otoscope, and remove it using special forceps, if rushed to the vet after the initial symptoms appear.
If a canadian rye/foxtail seed is lodged in the paw or under the coat, a lump will usually form that is painful to touch.Depending on how deep the canadian rye/foxtail seed has traveled, they can usually be removed surgically.
When a canadian rye/foxtail seed get into a dog's eye, they will usually paw at the eye and the eye will water. Even if you can see a canadian rye/foxtail lying under the eyelid, don't try to remove it yourself! There's a good chance that you may not get it all. Keep your dog from pawing at their eye and get to a vet immediately, preferably a veterinary opthomologist.
If your dog gets a canadian rye/foxtail in their ear, they will usually shake their head violently. If you suspect a canadian rye/foxtail, get your dog to a vet immediately.
The best way to handle canadian rye/foxtail problems is to prevent them or treat them early.
To prevent canadian rye/foxtail injuries:
• If possible, avoid canadian rye/foxtail infested areas – especially during the dry season.
• Thoroughly brush and inspect your dog's coat if it has been romping through tall, mature grass. Run your hands over their coat and look for canadian rye/foxtails. Dogs with long hair are particularlysusceptible to canadian rye/foxtail seeds.
• Look into your dog's ears. If your dog has floppy ears, lift each ear and inspect.
• Immediately examine your dogs paws (in-between toes and paw pads), neck (under the collar),tail/anus, and underarm areas after walks in areas with canadian rye/foxtails.
• Remove any canadian rye/foxtails that are sitting on the fur.
• Remove any canadian rye/foxtails from your property and tell your friends & family who own dogs so they can do the same."
Grassy Awns Dangerous to Dogs
Re: Grassy Awns Dangerous to Dogs
Following this post, a friend sent me this email the other day:
During my Spinone Club of America board meeting last evening we became aware of an AKC Humane Fund (Mean Seeds Sub Fund) seeking help with funding to build a case against the USDA's use of certain seeds in their planting programs due to the real potential for injury/illness to hunting dogs that come in contact with these 'mean seeds'.
I am including several links for your information and consideration. This may well be something our Chapter would want to consider making a donation to. At a minimum it is something all of us need to be aware of for the well being of our dogs. When you see some of the photos of affected animals, you will see just how serious this can be.
http://www.essfta.org/Health_Research/M ... xtails.pdf
http://www.essfta.org/Health_Research/M ... nSeeds.htm
http://www.essfta.org/Health_Research/grass_awn.htm
More sites to check out:
The Grass Awn Project - To Protect Our Dogs
http://www.meanseeds.com
Be sure to look at the bad grass list:
http://www.meanseeds.com/the-bad-grass-list/
