Marleigh's Friends Rescue

🌾🐕 **CHECK THOSE TOES!
Why Summer "Foxtails" and Burrs act like tiny, painful arrows.**

Texas summers mean great times outside, but they also mean that some sneaky and dangerous weeds are at their peak. Have you heard of foxtails?

Before you head out for a grassy hike or let your dog run in unmanicured fields, here is what every pet owner needs to know:

🚨 1. What they are:
Foxtails are barbed seed heads of certain grasses. In the summer heat, they dry out, become razor-sharp, and can easily detach. Burrs are the larger, prickly seed pods that get tangled in fur.

🚨 2. Why they are dangerous:
Because of their shape, foxtails only move in one direction: forward. They don't just get tangled; they can easily burrow into your dog’s skin, lodge between their toes, or get inhaled into their nose and ears. They are incredibly difficult to find and can cause severe, deep-tissue infections, abscesses, and other major medical issues that require a vet visit.

🚨 3. Signs to watch for:

* Excessive licking of a specific paw or area.
* Sudden, violent sneezing or pawing at the nose.
* A swollen, red lump that looks like a bug bite, but doesn't heal.

📝 Summer Safety Checklist:
After every walk or backyard play session, check your dog from head to toe! 🐾❤️

🔎 Pay specific attention to:
🌿 The webs of skin between their toes.
🌿 Their armpits and groin.
🌿 Inside and behind their ears.
🌿 Their nose and eyes.

A simple check can prevent a lot of pain. If you can't easily remove a foxtail or if it has started to burrow, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Let's keep our pups safe from these hidden summer hitchhikers! 🌾🐾