Beware the grass: Barbed ‘foxtail’ seeds pose threat to pets

SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC4 ) — During the dog days of summer, a threat lurks in Utah’s dry fields and lawns — one that can harm pets, particularly dogs, and potentially lead to serious complications. It’s known as “foxtail” grass.

“If the foxtail grass gets embedded, it can become quite dangerous for the pet,” said Guinn Shuster, spokesperson for the Humane Society of Utah.

The name foxtail doesn’t describe a particular plant, instead it’s an umbrella term that covers a number of grasses both native and invasive to Utah. But what connects them is their physical appearance, as their seed clusters resemble a fox’s tail, hence the name.

Corey Ransom, extension weed specialist for Utah State University, said foxtail-type grasses in Utah, such as cheatgrass along the Wasatch Front and red brome in the desert southwest, have grown abundantly this year following a wetter-than-usual winter.

“In a year like this, in high-moisture areas, you’ll find plants that are 2-feet tall, producing even more numbers of seeds,” he said.

What makes foxtails threatening to pets are the seeds. The barbed awns get caught on a passing pet’s fur, and if they dip towards the skin, the seeds “work their way inwards,” not stopping for muscle, tissue, or organs, according to Shuster. Once inside the body, the seeds don’t break down, causing abscesses and infections.

“We have performed operations to remove foxtails before, so it is something that is common enough that we try to educate the public to be very aware of it,” she said.

The most common areas where foxtail seeds get stuck are in dogs’ paws — especially in between the toes — and their undercarriage. Other areas where the seeds can lodge themselves are in the ears, nose, throat, anus, or vulva.

Severe complications can arise when dogs inhale foxtail seeds while running, according to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in California. In such a scenario, the seeds can burrow into the dog’s lungs, causing severe infections and even death.

In 2018, a Cache County Sheriff’s Office K-9 named Storm died after inhaling a foxtail seed. The 2-year-old malinois died while undergoing surgery.

According to Ransom, the barbed seeds of foxtail-type plants are a product of evolution, a survival mechanism that allows them to cling to an animal’s fur and later burrow into the ground.

“It’s a mechanism that helps those species perpetuate,” he said. “But when it comes to soft tissues … those same adaptations make it really dangerous.”

How to tell if your pet has a foxtail

There are a few ways to tell if your pet might be suffering from a foxtail seed. For instance, if your dog is excessively licking or nibbling around its feet, then there might be a foxtail seed in its paw.

Likewise, excessive sneezing and bloody nasal discharge might mean a seed is in a dog’s nose while repeated head shaking and scratching might signal a foxtail seed is lodged in a dog’s ear.

For those who suspect a foxtail is embedded in a dog’s ear, eye or nostril, seek veterinary help, Shuster advised. If one is visibly sticking out of a pet’s skin, carefully pull it out with tweezers and be sure to leave no broken bits behind.

Yet, if a seed can’t be removed in this manner, getting veterinary help is advised.

Prevention

To prevent your pet from getting a foxtail injury, remove foxtail grass from your lawn and avoid letting your dog run into overgrown, grassy areas where it might grow.

“If you see a lot of it, leash your pet to prevent them from running through that area,” Shuster said, noting that pet owners can also guard against foxtail seeds by placing boots on their dog’s feet during the summer.

After a walk, pet owners are advised to always check for foxtails by running their hands through an animal’s fur. Owners can also combat foxtail grass by cutting a dog’s coat short during the summer and fall months, especially near the legs and feet.

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