Foxtail weeds??

[david]

I know some folks that won't run dogs at all when the foxtail weeds are dry. They are bad here this year. I am trying to weigh the danger against what is lost by laying my dogs up for so long. I am looking for some perspective from folks who deal with this issue.

Is it just accepted that dogs must be laid up in areas of heavy foxtail? Or do some of you hunt through it?

[justahunter]

I have heard of dogs getting them in there lungs and killing them . the problems I have is between the toes then it's a pain . I guess it's a risk you have to take .

[Jeff Eberle]

I've spent a lot of money on fox tails over the year , mostly between toes and in the ears have had them get them in their shoulder/chest area also. I won't hunt areas that are really bad with them . There are places I can go in the summer to some what get away from them. But tel we get a good rain or two its just another danger in the game we play.

[rockytrails]

When they get in the ears the dogs usually need a vet to remove them so as to not damage ear drums. They lose equilibrium. Usually how you figure out they have foxtail in the ears. Feet are easy to check ears aren't. Never heard of them in lungs before.

[Jeff Eberle]

Have ran hounds almost 30yrs have only heard of two different dog die from foxtail in the lungs. It can happen, It happens from one going up the nose and working its way to the lung. With the ear you will see head shaking and not wanting to bark.

[pegleg]

I've only ever had two times they caused a serious issue. Once was in the gums of a dog and I missed it for a few days. I managed to get it out without a struggle. The other was in a nostril and I knew fairly quickly something was wrong and after doing some off label medicating that I wouldn't normally recommend I got the tissue swelling down enough to just barely ease it out. I'm not sure I got it all and it took several days of antibiotics before she recovered. I believe its just like hunting in thorns or heavy cacti or anywhere really go over your dogs thoroughly every night. This cuts down on most problems and keeps those you have from becoming severe.

[ethertonee]

I second what pegleg says. We know there is a risk no matter what when you turn a dog lose. We have both foxtial and cheet grass hear. Look the dogs over well each time you are out. You can have problems, but stay on top of them and you can keep them to a minimum. I seem to have more problems with scrap metal, barb wire and glass. I have heard of 2 hear and both involved cheet grass getting in the lungs and moving to the hart.

[david]

Thanks very much guys. I have never hunted in it like I am seeing here this year. There is an explosion of it seems like. We had a very wet spring so I am guessing that is why.

[justahunter]

Same thing here .