If your pet gets a nose-full of this common roadside grass, a trip to the vet might be in order.
FAIRBANKS, Alaska - The autumn season is in full swing in the Fairbanks area. The geese and cranes are flying overhead, leaves are turning red and yellow, and many flowering shrubs and grasses are now producing fluffy seeds.
Among these grasses, however, lurks an unexpected menace. Whether you call it foxtail barley, horsetail grass, false barley, or by its scientific name hordeum jubatum, this plant’s soft red and green or brown seed head fronds are an easily recognizable sight this time of year. Scientific opinions are split on whether this plant is native to Alaska, or a potentially invasive weed. One thing is clear - it has the potential to cause some serious health issues. If one takes a close look at the foxtail barley’s tufted head, it is easy to see that it is made up of many long, barbed seed heads known as awns. These awns are sharp and curved, which allows them to burrow into and under an animal’s skin. Since foxtail barley grows abundantly in disturbed soil and gravel in Alaska, such as along many roadsides, there is a real danger of taking the dog for a normal walk and later finding out that he has stuck his nose into a patch of foxtails and taken a good, long sniff. If this happens, the danger is not only that the dog might have seeds stuck painfully into his nose, but worse - that the seeds might travel deeper into the digestive tract or lungs, causing bleeding, swelling and infection. Pets and livestock have been known to die because of this. Try to keep your pets away from known patches of foxtail barley throughout the fall season. Be sure to routinely check your pet’s head and mouth for any suspicious swelling and irritation, as well as their paws, legs, belly and ears. If you find any cause for concern, please contact your pet’s veterinarian.Australian company wants to resurrect Fairbanks antimony mine
Plant Danger Pet Dog Cat Foxtail Barley Horsetail Seed Awn Veterinarian Roadside Walk Infection
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