If a dog has an awn stuck in its nasal cavity sneezing is usually among the first symptoms says dr.
Grass awn infection.
Scary stuff and with upland bird hunting seasons in many states set to kick off in the next few weeks now is a good time to remind all dog owners about the very real dangers of grass awn infections.
The most common presentation is a draining tract between the toes.
Well there are two.
Some dogs die of infection before the cause of the problem is identified.
What are the symptoms of grass awn infections.
The simplest and the one that requires no technical knowledge is to thoroughly brush and comb your dog every time you get back home from being out of doors in a place with un mowed grass vegetation.
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.
After a while the problem might result in nasal drainage or infection.
Pyothorax an infection in the chest cavity pneumonia and or body wall or internal abscesses.
Many pastures and yards have these plants.
A dog might also excessively rub its nose.
Sporting dogs are most at risk for this as the upland bird habitat is nearly always dominated by grass.
The foxtail barley is emerging and it s easy to spot in the roadside medians right now as.
What are the symptoms of grass awn infection.
Actinomycosis and nocariosis are infections caused by the injection inhalation or entry through the skin of grass awns that over time develop into serious difficult to diagnose infections in the dog.
Based on my experience and the case histories i am gathering many infections show up as an acute illness.
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.
All are grasses that are most prevalent in late spring and early summer.
Avoid an infection from a grass awn.
Grass awn infections can manifest in multiple symptomspatterns or combinations thereof.
We ve had a cold spring in southern wi so plants may be behind schedule here.
These seeds or grass awns can become lodged in pet ears between toes and under the skin.
Grady has had multiple incidents of grass awn infection with treatment read full article.
One of the most common minor emergencies we see during the summer in the mid southare grass awn foreign bodies.
June 15 2011 by the grass awn project leave a comment.
If a dog has an awn stuck in its nasal cavity sneezing is usually among the first symptoms says dr.
Surgery may be required to remove the grass awn and the resulting abscess.
