What is wild barley and why is it dangerous?
Wild barley, also known as foxtail (Hordeum spontaneum), is the most common culprit for many health problems in dogs. This grass has a specific shape: a hard, woody tip that spreads backward into winged awns covered with tiny bristles. This shape allows the plant to spread, but at the same time creates a danger for our pets. When a dog encounters this grass, the tip of the blade easily penetrates the skin, while the bristles act like "nails" pushing it further into the body.
If you've forgotten what kind of grass this is, remember how we used to throw these "arrows" into each other's hair as children—that's exactly the grass we're talking about.
Although there are several other types of grass with a similar shape, wild barley most often causes problems in our region.
Where this grass most commonly gets stuck
The biggest problem occurs when the grass gets between the toes on a dog's paws, which is particularly dangerous for dogs with long hair. By regularly checking their paws after every walk, especially between the toes, you can identify these dangerous grass seeds. If not removed in time, the grass will begin to move deeper under the skin, causing pain, inflammation, and pus formation. A small hole usually forms at the spot where the grass entered the skin. To heal the wound, we recommend using first aid balm to speed up recovery.
If not removed in time, the grass can travel through tissue and cause serious infections, even festering sores that emerge on the skin's surface. In severe cases, surgical intervention will be necessary to remove the grass, as it continues to cause pus formation until it is extracted.
It is certainly advisable to take your dog for regular grooming with a professional groomer so that the fur is thoroughly checked and free of knots, which makes it easier to inspect your pet at home.
Foxtail in a dog's ear, foxtail in a dog's nose
Owners of dogs with long and floppy ears, such as cockers or poodles, often face the problem when grass enters the ear canal. In such cases, the dog starts tilting its head to the side where the grass entered, and intense head shaking may also occur. If the grass penetrates deep into the ear, it is often found near the eardrum, causing severe pain.
In such cases, it is very important to seek a veterinarian immediately. If the grass remains in the ear for too long, it can cause serious infections, and the removal process will be much more difficult. In most cases, veterinary intervention involves anesthesia, as the dog may become too restless, and there is a risk of injury during grass removal.
Dogs always sniff the ground with their noses. Grass seeds are often inhaled through the nose or trachea. Once inside the body, the seed migrates within the nose and can cause numerous problems. For example, an inhaled grass seed can travel all the way to the lungs, where it can cause pneumonia in dogs.
How to act preventively?
The best prevention is regularly inspecting your dog, especially after walks in open and mowed areas. Depending on the fur color, it can be difficult to spot grass seeds, so it's best to rely on touch, especially for dogs with dark fur. Also, for dogs with long fur, regular brushing and trimming are important to prevent grass from getting through thick fur. A good detangling spray and brushing tool can be helpful.
Besides paws and ears, grass can also get into other parts of the body, such as the groin or armpits, where the skin is softer and thinner. Also, a grass seed can sometimes get stuck even under the gums, so regularly checking teeth can also help prevent problems.
Conclusion
Since this is the period when grass becomes dangerous for our pets, it is important to take precautions. Avoid walking in freshly mowed areas that have not been cleared of mown grass and regularly inspect your dog. This way, you can prevent numerous health problems caused by foxtails and other types of dangerous grasses.