It's FOXTAIL/CHEAT GRASS season: A warning to pet owners!
No one likes a foxtail in their vagina...
Foxtails and Cheat Grass are very smooth in one direction, but the other direction is full of tiny little razor sharp barbs that prevent the foxtail/cheat grass from being pulled backwards, as a defense mechanism to insure implantation and growth they migrate in only one direction - IN. They can and will penetrate your pet's skin with their pointy tips &/or lodge and migrate in your pet's eyes, ears, nose, throat, anus, or vagina. Yes, you read that right - Pineapple.
My first experience with foxtails was when my one cat had one
sticking out of his poor little butt, however, one firm tug
dislodged it, but he jumped three feet off of the air. Had I known
what it was... I just saw it and reacted without thinking... I might not have done that, but looking back now - had I not it would have
continued to migrate into his body and that could have been DEADLY had
it reached any kind of organ or blood vessel as per the Veterinarian who helped my other cat....
...that likes to roam in the tall grass. Two years ago she came in from the hillside acting very physically WEIRD. She was in quite a bit of discomfort but I could see no reason for her behavior. That's because it was internal. She had managed to get a foxtail up her vagina. Yes, you read that right. Up her pineapple. It took sedation, a veterinarian, X-rays, three hours and two Techs to get it out.
She just came in with a foxtail stuck in her fur. Please make a habit of giving your pet the once over when they come inside this summer.
Comments
Seriously, Foxtails & Cheat Grass are very INSIDIOUS! If you have pets watch out.
Was your kit ok after the stressful removal at the vet?
I had a kitty get one in her lung.
A week at Davis clearing in infection.
Hateful, nasty things.
i haven't (yet, knock on wood) had any trouble with my cats and foxtails. But when I had Mocha, who was a long-hair, he used to come home COVERED in the little round barbed weeds and I'd spend hours picking them out. Every day.
Then, I read on, and saw what you were talking about- ouch!!! My kitties stay inside, they don't go outside. Glad you let everyone know about this though, this would be terrible for pets, painful, and dangerous. Thanks for the post.
Have a good night Gbunny :)