Peterborough, ON, Canada K9J 2T8. Figure 1 shows the adult plant. Foxtail barley can provide fairly good grazing when young. Foxtail in dogs symptoms include: Sneezing excessively in case of foxtails in the dogs nose Dog shaking head vigorously in case of foxtail in the ear Lumps on the skin that are painful to touch 1. Consider a trim for the summer to reduce the likelihood of attachment. [gravityform id=”15″ title=”false” description=”false” ajax=”true”]. If foxtail barley doesn’t grow in your area, you don’t have to worry. Grazing this plant after it produces seeds can cause a number of problems for animals. Maria Just says Foxtail barley can be deadly for dogs if bristles from the plant get in their mouth, ears, eyes or paws. Sometimes a dog can pick up more than one foxtail seed, and if one is left behind, they will continue to experience discomfort and other symptoms related to a foxtail injury. Before submitting to Animal Wellness, we ask that you familiarize yourself with our publication so that you have a strong sense of the type of articles we publish. Perform any additional tasks (liking a Facebook page, captioning a photo, submitting a story, etc.) And this is why foxtails are such a hazard to dogs. Foxtail barley. CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. Thus, the foxtail is a type of diaspore or plant dispersal unit. Unfortunately, they do the same thing if they get on your dog’s skin, or get snuffed up, ingested or land in his ears. The Foxtail barley is a common weed that can be dangerous to dogs. Definitely not dog-friendly, this tall feathery grass develops seed heads with tiny barbs that can attach themselves to your dog’s coat and work their way into his skin, paw pads, ear canals and nasal cavities. Send a digital photo, scanned at a minimum of 5″ x 7″, at 300dpi resolution in a jpeg, tif or pdf format to info@animalwellnessmagazine.com, or send a good quality hard copy original photo (not a color photocopy) to: Photo Contest, Animal Wellness Magazine 160 Charlotte Street, Suite 202 Foxtail Barley Control in Direct Seeding Systems Foxtail barley (wild barley, Hordeum jubatum) is a shallow-rooted, perennial bunchgrass common to non-cropland areas in Alberta. Click Here, Thank You! It is a priority for CBC to create a website that is accessible to all Canadians including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Thank you for your interest in writing for Animal Wellness. Yes, I would like to subscribe to your newsletter for information on natural health, products, and great deals! RISKS: Abscesses, infections. If you are sending your submission by regular mail, please also enclose a SASE and keep a copy of the article for your own files. “If your dog has been running in long grass, where you suspect there may be foxtail grass, watch him for new behaviors such as chewing the paws, shaking the head, sneezing or scratching,” says Pippa. This plant has the scientific name of Hordeum jubatum or the species can vary depending on which plant you are discussing. And in many instances, surgery is required to remove foxtail awns. Avoid foxtail-prone areas to prevent injury to your dog. All photos become property of Redstone Media Group. Preventing your dog from picking up a foxtail in … One man noticed that his dog was continually sneezing after a run outdoors. Easy-to-care for and teeming with design opportunity, foxtail grass, also known as Pennisetum alopecuroides or "fountain grass," is the perfect plant for both beginners and seasoned green thumbs looking to liven up their yards. Foxtail and many other barley grasses have sharply-barbed awns that can cause sores at the nose, eyes, and mouth of livestock. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. The foxtail barley is emerging and it’s easy to spot in the roadside medians right now as the feathery tops are a very pale gold against all the green. You will receive a 1 Year Digital Subscription to North America’s #1 Natural Health Magazine for Dogs & Cats. Interested in a print subscription? But this may be easier said than done, since long grasses of many varieties can be found everywhere from spring through fall. You may submit a maximum of two photos of each animal in your home. Foxtail barley grows 1 to 2 feet tall with an upright form. Protecting your pooch The best way to protect your dog from foxtail barley is to keep him away from long dry grasses. That way the seeds are less likely to cling to him, and you’ll have a much better chance of spotting them. A brief biographical sketch of yourself is also recommended. The foxtail barley plant can become imbedded in your horse’s mucous membranes of the gums, cheeks, and tongue leading to many of the symptoms listed above. When in flower and fruit, the whole plant takes on a windswept look. Foxtails love your dog's feet and can easily become embedded between tender toes. Answer: There are not a lot of good options here since we lost Atrazine for pasture use. US: 6834 S. University Blvd. Nature designed them this way so they can plant themselves in the ground and start burrowing beneath the surface to grow. 3. If you walk or run your dog in rural areas, you need to be aware of a plant called foxtail barley. 1. Foxtails are nasty, and you need to check your dog for their presence after a walk, especially if you notice this somewhat innocuous looking plant. We reserve the right to publish all photos in Animal Wellness Magazine, and on our website. "It's important to investigate what is going on.". foxtail barley This plant can be weedy or invasive according to the authoritative sources noted below.This plant may be known by one or more common names in different places, and some are listed above. The wind can cause the seeds to scatter – as can a dog or other animal brushing up against the plant. He took the dog to his vet, only to learn that a foxtail awn had attached itself to the inside of the animal’s nasal cavity and needed to be surgically removed. 5. Foxtails are one type of wild barley seed,but not the only one. The Foxtail awn then starts to borrow into your dog, depending on where it entered from. Foxtail grass is common in Alberta and has sharp, barbed seeds that can become lodged in paws, ears and in dogs’ skin. “In the US, the most common species of plant awn is Hordeum jubatum.”. Just said dog owners should watch for symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, scratching and pain and tend to the dog before the bristles have a chance to get deep into the animal. This plant ranges in height from one to three feet tall at maturity. Please include your name, address and telephone number or email address, along with your animal’s name, sex and age (if known) and a short description of the photo. The common weed resembles a fluffy tail, and is a purplish-green colour that turns golden in the fall. Given that for years we were told that we don’t have the “bad” foxtail in Wisconsin, it’s rather frightening to see just how much is growing along the road in our immediate area. Photographs, where applicable, are also encouraged. How to Prevent Foxtails From Injuring Your Dog. Winners will be notified by phone or email and winning photos will appear in a future issue of Animal Wellness. SYMPTOMS: Continual licking of the foot or pad, bumpy swelling between the toes, or a small hole. We welcome unsolicited articles and story outlines as long as they focus on holistic healing, whether physical, emotional or spiritual. Plant Care. Hordeum jubatum, or foxtail barley, is a type of perennial grass that grows in clumps that can reach heights of 11 to 23 inches. Sporting dog owners may know it best since field dogs routinely charge into thick brush, where they easily inhale or swallow foxtails, and spend hours in grassy hotspots. She is inspired by Cici, her family cat. But given how widespread it is, it’s wise to be on the lookout for it no matter where you live, especially if you live or walk in the country. Please ensure that any health facts or statistics that might appear in your article are accurate and come from an accredited source. "Anything that ... is hurting to them, that is itchy, or is swollen or red, or oozing," she said. Do not, however, send book-length manuscripts. You may submit articles either by our online contact form, or by mail to: Animal Wellness Magazine Dogs with long coats are more likely to pick up these annoying hitchhikers. Click here to view our current issue of Animal Wellness Magazine. Figure 1. Upon checking, he saw something in the dog’s nostril. A Regina veterinarian cautions that Foxtail barley can be deadly for dogs if bristles of the plant get into their mouth, ears, eyes or paws. "They can advance into the internal organs, for example from a wound," Just said. The U.S. Forest Division states that foxtail grass is becoming more widespread, and is common in California, the southern and western United States, Canada and Mexico. Any dog can have a run-in with foxtail barley, but those at particular risk are long-haired dogs as well as sporting, hiking and hunting breeds such as cocker spaniels, pointers, setters, Labrador and golden retrievers. Foxtail barley is a wild grass that has wispy ends that resemble the tail of a fox — and are full of tiny seeds that can spell big problems for dogs. Its seeds have long bristles that can get embedded. Prefers full sun and a moist, well-drained soil. Although we prefer to use original material only, we do sometimes publish book excerpts. Our publication embraces the entire holistic spectrum, from physical health issues to the emotional and spiritual well being of our animals. Foxtail barley It has a shallow root system and reproduces by seeds and tillering. Foxtails are often found on wild barley grass. PMB 155, Centennial, CO 80122 Ears. It can tolerate heat, salt, dry sites and alkaline soils. Articles may range in length from 500 to 1,500 words. Livestock can safely graze foxtail barley prior to seed development. Consider topics you know well and/or that will offer special interest and appeal to our readers. Protect your dog by learning how to recognize foxtail barley, and taking steps to prevent contact. FIRST AID: If you can see the foxtail, you can try to remove it by hand or by using blunt-tipped tweezers. Her work has been published online and in print. A foxtail is a spikelet or cluster of a grass, that serves to disperse its seeds as a unit. These bristles easily penetrate flesh, are kept there by the barbs, and can become embedded in the tongue and gums of livestock. According to the University of California Integrated Pest Management Program, foxtail barley (the Latin name is Hordeum jubatum) is a native grass that can be found in a range of habitats throughout North America, including pastures and fields as well as ditches, fencerows, and roadsides, and in disturbed moist areas. Make sure the photos are labeled and include your name, address and phone number. Our turnaround response time for submissions is four weeks. The foxtail barley is emerging and it’s easy to spot in the roadside medians right now as the feathery tops are a very pale gold against … Read Full Article 1 2 3 › Foxtails can be found anywhere in the world, however, it is not native to North America. Check your dog’s coat and face after every outing in or near areas of long grass. This is how the grass spreads as the seed slowly works its way deeper and deeper into soil and becomes lodged when the barb-like spines set in place. Nadia Ali is a freelance writer who was born in London, England and now lives on the Caribbean island of Trinidad. Please do not send multiple submissions (articles that have been sent to more than one publication) unless you have received confirmation that the story will not be used by another magazine. Some grasses that produce a foxtail are themselves called "foxtail", also " spear grass ". These barbs cause a lot of discomfort, and if they get lodged in deep, surgery is often needed to remove them. Click here to download the Animal Wellness – Top Health Tips eBook. Though foxtail barley is a pervasive problem, it doesn’t mean you have to give up rambling through the countryside with your dog. An email will be sent to you with each new issue that is published. “If you feel the behaviors are excessive, go to the vet and get your dog checked.” This is especially important if your dog’s eyes are watering and/or he is rubbing them. The best way to protect your dog from foxtail barley is to keep him away from long dry grasses. Foxtail barley is an attractive short-lived native perennial cool season bunchgrass that ranges in height from one to three feet tall. Prevention of Foxtails in Dogs. "In general, 99 per cent of the time it's going to be an infection. • Keep dogs away from grassy meadows during hikes, especially dogs with long fur and long, floppy ears, and short stocky dogs whose heads are right at foxtail level. They may be submitted either digitally (at 300dpi) or as prints or slides along with your manuscript. Hard copy photos must have contact information on the back. In a blog from 2011, the LA Times reported that the emergency room of an animal hospital in northern California sees 60 to 90 cases a month during foxtail seed season. Pet owners are being warned by Ruidoso dog enthusiasts that a common weed growing in the area called Foxtail can be painful and even deadly to … Be sure to include your name, address, phone number, FAX number and/or e-mail address on your manuscript. Learning how to recognize it and where it grows, and taking some simple precautions, will help ensure carefree walks. It has good tolerance to salinity and spring flooding, and it is capable of productive growth on all soil types. Enter full name, email address, and mailing address to qualify. Foxtail Barley Control. 2. The seeds don’t break down inside your pet’s body either, causing serious infection and even death if left without treatment. In applications where erosion control is desired, particularly where saline soils are involved, foxtail barley can be plante… Why it’s important to maintain your dog’s walking routine during the…, 4 tips to avoid the emergency vet clinic during the holidays, How Canine Biologics’ nutrition system supports dogs with cancer, Shelters and rescues for senior dogs and cats – an inside…, Supporting joint health as dogs and cats age, DoggyStat rapidly resolves non-infectious canine diarrhea, Boost your dog’s immunity with acupressure. Unused material will be returned after due consideration. TREATMENT: The vet will anesthetize the dog and remove any foxtails. 4. Contact your veterinarian or regional agricultural unit and ask if they know of any foxtail barley growing in your area, and/or learn to recognize it yourself. It begins with a jagged seed. The animals will try to avoid it in favor of more palatable species, giving foxtail barley a competitive advantage and thus a chance to overspread the entire pasture over time. Rip Gut grass, frequently found side by side with foxtails, is equally as dangerous.Found in the western United States, they pose a severe danger to pets during the summer seasons. Foxtails and grass seed awns are designed to do one thing: burrow. After flowering, the grass gets dry and brown, allowing the seed heads to detach easily. The following information is from email correspondence with Dr. Rod Lym, NDSU Weed Scientist. It’s usually grown as … Audience Relations, CBC P.O. This way, you’ll know which areas to steer clear of when walking or hiking with your dog. If possible, try to keep your dog’s hair short, particularly around his toes, feet and armpits. to qualify. If your dog is displaying any of the following symptoms, check for foxtails or talk to your vet: Feet. 2. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. Common name(s): Foxtail barley, foxtail Scientific name: Hordeum jubatum Family: Grass family (Poaceae) Reasons for concern: The seed heads of this grass have a needle-like bristle at the tip of each seed called an awn, which can be dangerous for livestock and pets because awns can work their way into the animals’ mouth, nose, eyes, and digestive systems. It is a clumping grass, but will self-seed. So when your dog snuffles in the dirt or grass that is loaded with foxtails (or mown foxtail grass), and one foxtail seed (known simply as a foxtail) makes contact with his nose, it’s like to get sniffed into his nasal cavity, where its irritating barbs cause him to sneeze and rub his face on the grown and paw at his nose. Nature designed them this way so they can become a health hazard for dogs and other animals! 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