Grass Awn In Dogs
It is when they are not quickly removed by the owner or expelled by the animal that they become problematic.
Grass awn in dogs. The awns of the most problematic grasses are barbed which allows the awn to ratchet itself along through the tissue. One of the most common minor emergencies we see during the summer in the mid southare grass awn foreign bodies. The awns can be lodged in the ear nose and skin of your pet. The eyes of the dog get inflamed.
How do grass awns injure dogs. Signs of foxtail or cheatgrass problems in dogs lethargy loss of appetite swelling or lump puncture hole discharge or bleeding licking chewing or pawing at the affected area limping if legs paws affected shaking head if ears affected. However grass awns can also cause much more serious health problems when they enter through the mouth or nose of a dog and migrate through the respiratory or gastrointestinal tract. No infections or abscesses matted hair only ear canal.
Depending on where the grass awn get stuck contact symptoms can vary accordingly. Grass seeds and awns are very stiff plant fibers that usually have a barb on one end. When grass seeds. It often can be hard to see the embedded awn especially if you have a dog with a lot of fur and your timing in getting your dog to a veterinarian is critical.
The problem is that the owner nor the dog can remove all the awns. An awn is an appendage that grows from the ear of plants such as barley rye and many types of wild growing grasses. The risk of exposure determines on where you live. Grass awns can be inhaled become lodged in the ears swallowed or even just imbedded in the coat or skin.
Pretty much any contact a dog has with grass awns is potentially hazardous. Grass seeds and awns in dogs symptoms signs. Grass awns are a danger upon contact with your dog. These seeds or grass awns can become lodged in pet ears between toes and under the skin.
The most common presentation is a draining tract between the toes. The dog shakes the head scratches or rubs the ears holds his head at a slightly tilted angle between the eye eyelid. Pieces of plant material typically the awn seed penetrate the skin or are inhaled or ingested as the dog runs through cover. This part of the plant is a hairy and bristle like casing around the actual seed which means it poses a large risk to your bird dog.