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Blog Entry 27 of 35 Ask the Dog Guy
The Dog Guy (me) answers questions about dog behavior/misbehavior.

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~AsktheDogGuy

Weeds
Contributed by: Dave Pearson   on 7/24/2008

This is unsolicited advice on weeds.

This time of year, when the temperatures are hovering in the 90's it is often kosher for news outlets to focus on the common tings, like not leaving your dog (or anything else) in a closed car, making sure you have plenty of fresh water for pets (dogs) and other things like that.

I'd like to focus on something less glamorous but just as dangerous, weeds, specifically, cheatgrass and foxtail.

Depending on where you were raised you may have different names for these weeds. About.com says "Cheatgrass, also known as Cheat grass (two words), June Grass, Downy Brome, grass awn, or by the scientific name, Bromus tectorum L., is a potentially dangerous weed common in many parts of North America.

Foxtails are also called speargrass. Sometimes people refer to the weeds interchangeably.
In any case it is that pesky little seed that sticks in you socks when you walk in the weeds.

Just as they stick in your socks, they stick in your buddy's fur. Don't fall into the common misconception that a think coat will keep them out. I have a Norwegian Elkhound with a VERY thick coat, yet I found a Cheatgrass imbedded in his neck recently. It had festered a bit and took a little to get it out.

I could have avoided that circumstance by finding it earlier. I was feeling him, as I do often, for just that issue, when I found it. I had apparently missed it previously.

Cheatgrass and Foxtails often find their way between the toes of your pooch, but you should check everywhere, especially on the underside of him/her and around the neck area where the weeds are likely to touch.

Foxtails and Cheatgrass have tiny barbs (like a fishhook) that only allow them to go only one way. In a longer haired dog (or cat) they will get into the fur and gradually work their way to the skin. Dogs and cats have fairly thin skin so it doesn't take much for the weeds to work their way into it. In a shorter haired dog or cat, they will find areas of opportunity, like between the toes or under the legs (armpits).

My best advice is to check you pet often, after every walk if you can. They (your pet) will not likely tell you they have an issue until it is too late and/or time to see your vet.




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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Dave Pearson

Arvada , CO

Dave Pearson has posted 35 blog entries and 0 comments since joining on 1/7/2008. Dave Pearson 's average blog rating is 5.
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