A veterinarian has warned of a threat to your pets this summer, as a pesky plant threatens to bury in their skin.
As the weather continues to warm up, pet owners will be doing longer dog walks, and outdoor cats will be basking in the sun. And this makes them vulnerable to foxtails: a type of grass.
Erik Olstad, an assistant professor in health sciences and clinical veterinary medicine at the University of California, Davis, issued the warning in an article on The Conversation. Olstad is warning pet owners to be vigilant against the unassuming seed pos.
"Despite the cute name, foxtails can pose a major threat to your pet's health," Olstad wrote in the article. "Foxtails are a daily issue where I work, especially during the spring and summer months."
Foxtails can be found widely across the U.S., particularly in California. The sticky seed pod uses small hairs to cling to a dog or cat's fur. Once it has done this, it can sink deep into their skin, and make its way into the body through several avenues including the ears or the nose, The Conversation article reports. And sometimes, they can even creep into the lungs.
When the seed pod becomes embedded into the ear, it can sometimes cause infection, and a lot of discomfort for your pet, Olstad writes. If it gets into the eye, it can cause discharge and irritation around the area.
If it gets into the lungs, it could sometimes drastically impair their ability to breathe. From here it can cause infection and trauma to the vital organs. This can even lead to death.
"Surgery and hospitalization are almost always required in these cases," Olstad wrote.
Olstad warns of several symptoms to watch out for. Paw chewing their paws could indicate there is a foxtail stuck. Frequent head shaking could be a foxtail stuck in the ear canal.
Draining or discharge from the ear, or sneezing and pawing at the nose can also be signs.
"Coughing or hacking might mean a foxtail has made it to the tissues around the throat or the tonsils, or even deeper into the lungs," Olstad said in the article. "Each one of these symptoms requires care from a veterinarian, as they can grow serious if left untreated."
While this may all sound worrying, there are thankfully ways to prevent it from happening.
Olstad recommends physically removing them from the environment, for example, if you find them in your yard. There is no way of avoiding them altogether, but this can prevent risk.
Grooming your pet regularly can also help prevent them from burrowing into their skin. There are also some companies that make mesh nets, that can be used to cover a dog's head, Olstad writes This can prevent foxtails from entering any passages.
"Foxtails are part of living in the United States. But a few simple steps can help keep pets safe while they enjoy the outdoors," Olstad concluded in the article.
Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about foxtails? Let us know via science@newsweek.com.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Robyn White is a Newsweek Nature Reporter based in London, UK. Her focus is reporting on wildlife, science and the ... Read more
