Cheatgrass - A Dog's friend NOT

[Topperace]

Had a new experience of late... yesterday noticed a large welp on my Dog's front paw, and could not determine if was an insect sting or what. Was lucky that there was a Vet in Wenatchee, that was open on Saturday's and was able to take us in. Vet looked at the wound and figured it might be a Cheatgrass seed that got lodged in the paw between the toe and was infected. Unfortunately our 18 mo old Aussie would not cooperate with the treatment, so had to be anesthetized
to have the seed removed...argh, but now it is out after $500 later, including meds she has to take...but best to get it done and not worry about the seed drilling in any further into the ligaments and causing further damage...ouch.
Now I know what to look for with this Cheatgrass stuff and will stay away from it as best we can. Some of the things the Vet told me about Cheatgrass seed and Dogs was not pretty... one more thing to look out for if you have a dog.

Just thought I would pass that on.

[LuckyDuck]

Thank you for the post. After googling a picture of the grass, it looks like what is all over the spot where I walk the pooch. Another thing to beware of — we’ve had enough $500 vets bills! I appreciate you letting us know.

[norty1]

Our smallest pup is going in for teeth cleaning in 2 weeks. We had her in for an x-ray and teeth cleaning before we left home and that was $540. We got the call today for the estimate. $1200 low ball to $1900. if there are up to 4 extractions. Howza!

Our previous pup ate something , likely a rotting piece of meat someone discarded and got violently ill. We were on the road and she had to spend one night at the vets. That was 15 years ago and $600.
We love them but they are expensive.

We looked into pet insurance and found it more expensive in the long run than the alternative!

[Topperace]

[/QUOTE]
We looked into pet insurance and found it more expensive in the long run than the alternative![/QUOTE]

After our last Aussie, the DW got Pet Insurance, not too much of an expense..
has come in handy with this one of late. But as with all insurance,
is relative to what you pay.

[ARoamer]

We visit the southwest and nature isn't very pet friendly there. Stopped for a rest and our dog started limping, found one of these stuck in his paw-

Sandburs, Grassburs, Sticker Burrs/Burr Stickers, Pricking Monsters, Lawn/Grass Stickers. Found in dry states like Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

He would NOT go in the grass after that encounter. And Arizona's Jumping Cholla are definitely something to avoid. Closely supervised hikes to avoid, and body checks after are mandatory!

[Topperace]

Originally Posted by ARoamer

We visit the southwest and nature isn't very pet friendly there. Stopped for a rest and our dog started limping, found one of these stuck in his paw-

Sandburs, Grassburs, Sticker Burrs/Burr Stickers, Pricking Monsters, Lawn/Grass Stickers. Found in dry states like Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

He would NOT go in the grass after that encounter. And Arizona's Jumping Cholla are definitely something to avoid. Closely supervised hikes to avoid, and body checks after are mandatory!

Here Here ARoamer! I always check the pup after hikes... mostly for ticks, not sure how I missed this...another lesson learned!

[TxLoser]

Good to know. I’ll research this. Our last trip we had three dogs with us due to having a foster currently. Where we camped all the grass had burs. All the dogs have long hair. My wife basically spent the two two days we were there pulling stickers/burs out the dogs hair after each walk. She even had them wearing boots at one point. Looked ridiculous but kept it from their paws at least. Still all over the legs and faces from sniffing the grass.

[CAG]

Originally Posted by ARoamer

We visit the southwest and nature isn't very pet friendly there. Stopped for a rest and our dog started limping, found one of these stuck in his paw-

Sandburs, Grassburs, Sticker Burrs/Burr Stickers, Pricking Monsters, Lawn/Grass Stickers. Found in dry states like Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

He would NOT go in the grass after that encounter. And Arizona's Jumping Cholla are definitely something to avoid. Closely supervised hikes to avoid, and body checks after are mandatory!

Our friends had an experience with Cheatgrass seeds and it was not pleasant for the dog or them.

Jumping Cholla is actually Chain Cholla but does not “jump”. All cholla have hooked barbs which attach themselves to passing wildlife (also dogs and people) thus spreading themselves. The thorns themselves can also be found on the ground and are at times an inch or more in length. Painful to any animal stepping on them. Some golfers, oblivious to the dangers of desert plants find out the hard way when looking for lost balls in the rough. It is also called Teddy Bear Cholla. Dogs stuck with it sometimes try to pull it out with their mouth. This makes matters much worse.

[norty1]

Beggar lice is another one that plagues us in the South. It sticks to anything that touches it.

[LuckyDuck]

Foxtails in our parts are common and nasty, especially if the dog gets one in his nose or eye. Another is goathead — a multi-sided thorn that is also a scourge for bike tires.

[CAG]

Originally Posted by LuckyDuck

Foxtails in our parts are common and nasty, especially if the dog gets one in his nose or eye. Another is goathead — a multi-sided thorn that is also a scourge for bike tires.

And kids bare feet in the summer time.