Grass Awn Abscess

The problem with grass awns is that they are difficult to be located.

Grass awn abscess. Most abscesses are septic which means that they are the result of an infection. A migrating grass awn should be high on your differential list for any hunting dog showing the clinical signs previously mentioned. Cells begin to wall off the area to contain a potential infection forming an abscess. Description there are two types of abscesses septic and sterile.

Grass awns can be inhaled swallowed and even penetrate the dog s skin. Her surgery involved removing a piece of a back muscle approximately 1 x 3 a grass awn was found and removed in this area and removal of the abscess which necessitated removal of two ribs and insertion of a piece of mesh to close the abdominal wall. A subcutaneous abscess pain on lumbar palpation decreased lung sounds will narrow where to look for the problem. Some patients will present with swelling and pain just behind the last rib which is a common location for abscess formation.

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. Despite the good prognosis euthanasia was performed at the owner s request and post mortem examination revealed an abscess that had been caused by a grass awn located within. Grass awn causes heart abscess in hunting dog vet bill. Many dogs develop a lump where the grass awn is located.

If the grass awn passes through the chest or abdomen clinical signs can be vague such as decreased performance exercise intolerance lethargy fever and weight loss. Oftentimes once grass seeds and awns penetrate the skin they will continue to migrate deeper into the pet s tissues. Embedded grass awns can lead to serious infections and other complications. This can result in the formation of abscesses and even life threatening infections inside the body cavities.

Thoracic radiography revealed a caudal mediastinal mass. Septic abscesses can. Physical examination findings e g. Grass awns are deadly dangerous for your dog.

The signs associated with grass seeds and awns depend upon the location of the grass seed. It is the result of the body s defensive reaction to foreign material. When a grass awn is embedded the body responds with inflammation. Abscess definition an abscess is an enclosed collection of liquefied tissue known as pus somewhere in the body.

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.