Dangerous seeds

The problem with these seeds is that they can be anywhere. We may recognize foxtail or Canadian rye in clumps or patches but it just takes one. This stuff is pretty much everywhere, mixed into all kinds of cover.

This year I was hunting a cattail patch with plenty of birds running through it. My yellow Lab was nose down hunting and trailing through this stuff. Right at the end of the cattails she started a sneezing fit, non-stop. I immediately began to worry about awns, because there were all kinds of weeds at the end of the cattail cover. My best friend and hunting partner is a vet. He came over and checked her nose and opened her mouth and swabbed around the inside of her entire mouth and as far down her throat as he could reach with his gloved hand/fingers. Maybe 30-40 seconds of checking and swabbing. That pretty much stopped the sneezing fit. There were one or two more snorts and that was the end of it.

To this very moment I wonder if she has not picked up a grass awn in her nasal passages that may come to haunt me in the near or distant future.

Bottom line: Yeah, we can learn to look for this but it is also a well-hidden and almost unavoidable threat to our dogs every time we work them afield. It's a constant worry.
 
Well, this stuff killed Buzz. Or at least the vet thinks it's most likely. And the case studies I read sure sound all too similar. I was aware of it before he died, but apparently not enough. In the last couple days, I've learned quite a bit. I'm convinced that this is also what mysteriously killed my other springer Walt in 2013. I'll never look at a weed the same way again. I'm usually the least "concerned" person in a bunch, but if I can avoid extreme paranoia in this case, I'll be pleasantly surprised. My understanding is that PF CRP mixes still contain the main culprits, or at least variations of them. I intend to get to the bottom of it & do.....something.
 
Sorry, for your Buzz, Brent. way too soon. Im also glad you brought this back up to the front line again. It had been too long..
I wonder how many animals suffer the same fate unseen. Deer, coyotes, fox, coons, possibly even pheasants. I dont think its totally selective to hunting breeds. Even we as humans, suffer slightly, but we are able rectify one thats irritating us, quickly.. I Since my episode, I look at cover completely different than before. I was cocky, cavalier the day I took my Breez into that 1/4 section. Knew the data, but made a conscious decision to proceed anyway, as I hadnt ever had any personal experience prior. Totally my mistake that day. Yes, it can happen anywhere, but typically, in our neck of the woods, CWR thrives for about the first 4 years, scaling back as it gets out competed for space..
 
A5 Sweet 16 said:
My understanding is that PF CRP mixes still contain the main culprits, or at least variations of them. I intend to get to the bottom of it & do.....something.
Click to expand...

If this is true it makes no sense, PF has to be aware of the main culprits yet continue to use this grass type. Mind boggling...... :confused:
 
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Yes it is in fact your fed and pheasants forever that plant it. It is why they will never see another dime from me till they stop killing our dogs. They full and well know whats going on. Complain to legislators.... It is "Our" land, tax payers, hunters etc. They are ruining it acre by acre. It does not discriminate by breed. If your doing a planting, demand they don't use it, and clean their drill.
 
I was at the vet this week on another issue with my geriatric Britt and we got to talking foxtail seed awns. He talked about a golden that had an awn that moved into the spinal column and paralyzed the dog. There were no other signs of injury or cause to the paralysis and the awn was found during the dog's autopsy :( He said once the awn is in the body it can migrate and lodge in strange places.
 
Certainly can't hurt along with a tailgate check at the end of the hunt. Check ears, eyes, nose, and mouth etc.. even feet....
 
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So I assume this is all foxtail around my Britt (circa an early season 2011 duck hunt). Had no clue and I am sure few still do.

View attachment 8860


Foxtail barley, Canadian wild rye, foxtail ...
 
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