Grass Awn In Dogs Ear

Grass seeds are something dogs frequently get lodged in their ear canals or between the toes.

Grass awn in dogs ear.

Oftentimes once grass seeds and awns penetrate the skin they will continue to migrate deeper into the pet s tissues. If grass awns are not removed in a timely fashion they will lead to the formation of painful abscesses which need regular drainage of fluids. Long eared breeds like cocker and springer spaniels are most susceptible. Whether you call them awns mean seeds timothy foxtails cheat grass june grass downy brome or any other number of colloquial names to dogs they generally mean one thing and that s trouble.

Dogs with grass seeds in their ears will suddenly start shaking and pawing at their heads and the affected ear often during or soon after a walk. One of the most common minor emergencies we see during the summer in the mid south are grass awn foreign bodies. Each of these sites is a mere port of entry for these sturdy seeds. What are grass awns.

The signs associated with grass seeds and awns depend upon the location of the grass seed. Dogs often get cheat grass in their nose. This can result in the formation of abscesses and even life threatening infections inside the body cavities. Try to stay away from walking your dog in fields with long grass as much as possible and stick to areas where it has been cut short.

Grass awns are deadly dangerous for your dog. These seeds or grass awns can become lodged in pet ears between toes and under the skin. When a grass awn is embedded the body responds with inflammation. They will come in from a romp in the field across the street with a sudden onset of sneezing and snorting.

Once inside they start a relentless crawl forward traveling deeper into a dog. So what makes it so bad for dogs. It s got these little arrow shape grass awns or grass seeds that frankly get into everything. This includes making sure you cut the grass in your own garden regularly.

They get sniffed into dog noses work their way into dog ears and lodge between dog toes. There may be blood coming out of one nostril. Should you spot the grass awn make sure to remove it as quickly as you can. Embedded grass awns can lead to serious infections and other complications.

Cells begin to wall off the area to contain a potential infection forming an abscess. The seeds of the nasty foxtail grass seem to have a special affinity for invading dogs bodies. Excessive hair around the paws ears and arm pits needs to be trimmed on a regular basis as it can pick up grass seeds more easily. What makes it so bad for dogs is that it will get caught in their hair or their nose or their ears and it has barbs on it so it will work in one direction.

Many dogs develop a lump where the grass awn is located. An awn is a hairy or bristle like appendage growing from the ear or flower of barley rye and many types of widely growing grasses.