Please check your dogs for Foxtails...

cocoandjane · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 10:30 am Post subject:

Hey! Not a bad idea....if it wouldn't hurt them. I read that cattle can have major problems after eating them....really messes up the digestive tract.

The mineral oil tip is valuable, thanks!!

What a menace they are! Twisted Evil

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Jane

Coco and Abby, too!!

lindamarie · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 11:46 am Post subject:

Wow! Never heard of foxtails here in Michigan!!! But husband says we have them!Hope all goes well Jac!!
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Dogs=Unconditional love
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Jac · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 2:03 pm Post subject:

Thanks everyone for your tips, your concern and your ideas...Madison is home now...and fine! She did have a foxtail that entered her skin by her back leg, it migrated into her groin area but didn't affect her female organs, thank goodness.
The vet said that there is no way to be sure if they got it all (no x ray will show them) but they think that they did.
She is glad to be home and I bought her a new pink fuzzy bed which she is resting on by my feet as I type. I am so glad to have her back home!
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cocoandjane · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 2:19 pm Post subject:

Hurray!!!

Ohhh, I am so glad she is home and doing fine!!
I'm sure she loves her new bed!

What will be your first round of attack against these demon grasses?
Keep us posted as to what you try and how it works.

Cool

_________________
Jane

Coco and Abby, too!!

Jac · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 2:29 pm Post subject:

Thanks Jane...well, as much as I hate to do this, I think that I will shave all of my dogs down, very short, while the Foxtails are out...then it will be much easier to brush them off, see them and make my nightly inspection.

I do think that we will plow them under and try to crowd them out with some other type of fast growing ground cover, like clover or regular grass.

I may get goats, although I asked a vet once if goats could eat Foxtails and she emphatically said NO! She said that they would be harmed just like all other animals...but I do know that people use goats to clear the brush...so maybe the trick is to get them to eat the weeds down when they are still tender and not dry spikes. That makes sense to me.

I don't like using chemicals, but I will if I have to...this has been too much suffering for my dogs...too much!

We do want goats anyway because our puppies will love the goats milk! Very Happy

So, that's the plan...I do think that planting normal grass and watering it regularly will be a major help.
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jacque.bayley.lexie.chase.rosie.nitos.amelia.dupree.madison.sherwood.gerry www.backporchlabradoodles-jacque.blogspot.com www.backporchlabradoodles.com

cocoandjane · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 2:36 pm Post subject:

Yes, and keeping them fairly short will help alot!!

I was just debating about trimming Abby again....it is so hot!
Cool

_________________
Jane

Coco and Abby, too!!

Calimom · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 2:58 pm Post subject:

I'm so glad Madison is back home recuperating with you.

Send us a picture of your dogs with their summer do's. Wink

Best wishes with your war with the foxtails. Ughhh, a big job to say the least!
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Meg and Cali

Tink · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 3:54 pm Post subject:

Jac, I'm so sorry you're having such a battle with this!
Here they're a different variety and rarely cause a problem thank God.

I've had goats... honest to goodness I'd rather have sheep. Goats can escape nearly any fence... they climb over, crawl under or whatever it takes. We used to get up to find them standing on top of our vehicles leaving hoof dents and all the shrubs, flowers and such destroyed in the yard. We finally donated ours to the catholic church auction and we're Lutheran! LOL
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Hickory, Ava, Hana, Misty, and Chip (happy master of his Harem)

hmz819 · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 4:21 pm Post subject:

I am glad Madison is alright
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Heather, Morgan, Maya, and Sadie
He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion-Unknown

MaxandMe · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 5:10 pm Post subject:

Jac ....i sure hope Madison is okay

NOW the problem with Foxtail, it's not easy to eradicate.
IF you stay at this house then using a PRE-EMERGENCE weed preventive is usually the 1st step to trying to stop them
Meaning it uses an herbicide which kill weeds but not grass

the tiny Black SEEDS are horrible and now I know why you have so many combs as for long hair dogs its harder to find.

the claim these are some of the symptoms:
http://www.baltercatalogue.com/articles/57-foxtail-grass-and-dogs.htm

and like JAC stated if the seeds reach internal organs then it's fatal to dogs

Jac when you hear from the vet please give an update when you can.
thanks.

and from what i've read calling teh local extension in your county may be of help as heavy infestations are not easy to control.
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Doggonecrazy · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 5:14 pm Post subject:

Hi Jac, I am sorry to hear you are having so much difficulty with the foxtails. I can't imagine what you must be going thru, but I am glad that everyone is going to be ok.

We have those nasty foxtails here too. Copper got one embedded on the top of his foot during his first summer. (I think I called you when that happened) It was just awful to hold him while they probed way down inside the hole the foxtail made to fish it out. Copper was so good, me, I was a mess.
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Vicky (Jett and Copper)

Jac · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 5:37 pm Post subject:

Ann Marie, thanks for the link and info...Madison is home now and hopefully she is fine. I am certain they got it all...

Tink! You are hilarious! We had goats once too and they ate everyting....I remember that they got into the neighbor's gardens and ate wire and tin cans...I can just imagine them on the hood of your car! I love that you donated to the Catholic Church and you are Lutheran! hahahahaha Sort of a Trojan Horse huh?

Yes, Vicky, I do remember! In fact, I think of that often. We have had so many in their feet now...if I can keep them in the feet, as bad as that is, I would be relieved...it is the other places that they migrate to that worry me...and in their noses and ears and genitals...ugh!

I just shaved Amelia Jane...oh, my! Gene...you have competition for the worst shaved dog ever! hahahaha...I win! Poor Mia...but she looks better...even with all the nicks and patterns shaved into her skin! And, at least I can get her foxtails!
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jacque.bayley.lexie.chase.rosie.nitos.amelia.dupree.madison.sherwood.gerry www.backporchlabradoodles-jacque.blogspot.com www.backporchlabradoodles.com

Doggonecrazy · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 5:54 pm Post subject:

Uh Oh Gabby Jack Gang, Momma's on a mission! Laughing

Not to make light of your situation Jac, but my mental picture is pretty funny. Wink

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Vicky (Jett and Copper)

Jac · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 9:06 pm Post subject:

hahahaha, believe me, Vicky, the real Amelia Jane is much funnier than you can imagine! hahahaha When I get brave, I'll post pics...maybe of the entire group!
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jacque.bayley.lexie.chase.rosie.nitos.amelia.dupree.madison.sherwood.gerry www.backporchlabradoodles-jacque.blogspot.com www.backporchlabradoodles.com

mtd885 · Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 7:05 am Post subject: