Grass Awn Infection Dogs
Grass awns are deadly dangerous for your dog.
Grass awn infection dogs. An awn is a hairy like bristle or appendage from the ear or flower of barley rye or many other types of growing grass. 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. The signs associated with grass seeds and awns depend upon the location of the grass seed. Grady has had multiple incidents of grass awn infection with treatment.
The barbed seed heads of the foxtail plant can work their way into any part of your dog or cat from the nose to between the toes and inside the ears eyes and mouth they can even simply dig themselves directly into a patch of skin. Fatalities and grass awns. Cathy was an initial member and now chairs that committee. 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.
Foxtail plants can be risky for your dog. If a grass awn becomes embedded in your dog and an infection and abscesses develop your dog is at risk for dying if he receives no treatment. Many dogs develop a lump where the grass awn is located. New nafc fc afc cody cut a lean grade grady owned and handled by chad baker won the 2011 national amateur retriever championship which concluded june 25 in ronan montana.
These dangers are usually called awn timothy foxtails cheat grass june grass downy brome or any other colloquial names but for your dog it is all trouble. The essfta established a committee to investigate the grass awn issue in 2007. 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. Grass awns can be inhaled swallowed and even penetrate the dog s skin.
This can result in the formation of abscesses and even life threatening infections inside the body cavities. When a grass awn is embedded the body responds with inflammation. The problem with grass awns is that they are difficult to be located. 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.
Since then she has become much more involved as she and dean have dealt with four more grass awn infection cases with their own dogs as well as learning of fellow trialers experiences. Embedded grass awns can lead to serious infections and other complications. Oftentimes once grass seeds and awns penetrate the skin they will continue to migrate deeper into the pet s tissues.