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Problems With Grass Awns |
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Along with wood
splinters, grit and glass, grass awns are common foreign bodies.
In certain areas during the drier summer months, some dogs will have
problems with them year on year. Other dogs may only occasionally
suffer acute painful nuisance; individuals' behaviour and anatomy
appear to have a bearing on the likelyhood of their being
affected. Grass awns are known by many names, such as foxtails
or, in the US, cheatgrass.
Awns in the Ear
Sudden onset of head-shaking and discomfort around the head and ears are frequent signs of a grass awn stuck in a dog's ear canal. I have mostly seen this problem in spaniels, but many other breeds can also be affected. Due to its arrowhead shape, the awn quickly lodges in the canal, but cannot so easily be removed. Sedation is usually required for this, and the pain abates shortly after removal.
Problems with Paws
Awns stuck in the ears or paws are often the cause when the dog cries out or shows pain during or just after a walk. Lameness and repeated licking of the affected paw is frequently seen. A bruised swelling can develop where the awn has punctured the skin, but other injuries can also look similar. If ignored or missed, grass awns can sometimes later appear in pus-like discharge from a wound.
Awns Found Elsewhere
Unfortunately, some grass awns are not discharged by the body and can migrate long distances under the dog's skin and in soft tissue. They can travel from the ears to chest, for example, and have been found in spinal abcesses as well. Prevention is hard; avoiding areas where dried grass awns are dispersed can be difficult. To help spot any problems quickly, many owners clip paws with dense hair growth.
Awns in the Ear
Sudden onset of head-shaking and discomfort around the head and ears are frequent signs of a grass awn stuck in a dog's ear canal. I have mostly seen this problem in spaniels, but many other breeds can also be affected. Due to its arrowhead shape, the awn quickly lodges in the canal, but cannot so easily be removed. Sedation is usually required for this, and the pain abates shortly after removal.
Problems with Paws
Awns stuck in the ears or paws are often the cause when the dog cries out or shows pain during or just after a walk. Lameness and repeated licking of the affected paw is frequently seen. A bruised swelling can develop where the awn has punctured the skin, but other injuries can also look similar. If ignored or missed, grass awns can sometimes later appear in pus-like discharge from a wound.
Awns Found Elsewhere
Unfortunately, some grass awns are not discharged by the body and can migrate long distances under the dog's skin and in soft tissue. They can travel from the ears to chest, for example, and have been found in spinal abcesses as well. Prevention is hard; avoiding areas where dried grass awns are dispersed can be difficult. To help spot any problems quickly, many owners clip paws with dense hair growth.
Harvey Caruthers
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Foxtail Grass Dangerous to Dogs
If you have
dogs, keep the foxtail out of your lawn!
Marilyn
Pokorney
Foxtail is a common annual
grass usually considered a weed. It grows one to three feet tall, with
branching and some spreading at ground level. Leaf blades are 4
to 15 inches long. Flower heads are dense spikes with yellow to
reddish, green or purplish bristles. As foxtail matures, seeds
are formed at the top of the stalk. The bushy seeds are what gives the
plant the name of "foxtail".When mature, the seeds detach easily from the plant. This is natures way of making sure that the plant reproduces. The seeds easily cling to clothing, fur, and hair. The seeds always move forward thus penetrating the skin.
The seeds found in the ears, eyes and nose are very serious and can become life threatening. But no body part is immune. The seeds have been found in the urethra, vagina, anal glands, brain, and spinal cord. In one case a
veterinarian found the seed in the lung but the original site of entry was the paw. The seeds also gain entry
through open wounds.
Foxtail seeds are very tiny so veterinarians usually go by symptoms.
If in the nasal cavity, the dog sneezes repeatedly and violently often hitting the nose on the floor. If a bloody
discharge is noticed assume it's a foxtail seed. If in the eye, the dog paws at the eye and the eye waters. If an eye is glued shut it is most likely a foxtail seed.
If the seed is in the ear the dog shakes its head violently from side to side. Sometimes the dog paws at the eyes or ear, shaking the head and squints.
In the mouth foxtail seeds can cause gagging or difficulty swallowing. If the seed gets caught between the teeth, in the gums, back of throat, or tongue problems can result.
If the seed lodges in the paw or under the coat a lump will form that is painful to the touch. Other symptoms include rubbing the head on the ground and going round in circles, licking or biting at the rectum or other body parts, or yelping or shining for no obvious reason.
Foxtail seeds can cause fatalities when they reach internal organs.
| In any case, do not attempt to treat the animal yourself. Get professional help |
Avoid parks, or other recreational areas where you know foxtail grows.
Always brush and inspect your dogs coat after being in grassy areas. Dogs with long hair are even more likely to attract the seeds than shorthaired breeds.
Examine your dogs eyes and ears.
For more information on how to control foxtail: http://www.apluswriting.net/garden/foxtails.htm
Copyright:
2005 Marilyn Pokorney
| Marilyn Pokorney Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment. Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading. Website: http://www.apluswriting.net |
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