The seeds of the nasty foxtail grass seem to have a special affinity for invading dogs bodies.
Grass awn in dogs.
Each of these sites is a mere port of entry for these sturdy seeds.
These seeds or grass awns can become lodged in pet ears between toes and under the skin.
Grass awns from weeds like cheatgrass and foxtail first become attached to a dog s coat while running or walking through these tall grasses.
The problem with grass awns is that they are difficult to be located.
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.
Once inside they start a relentless crawl forward traveling deeper into a dog.
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.
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.
Grass awns are deadly dangerous for your dog.
If the seeds are just tangled in the fur only matting of the hair coat may be seen.
The three most common hazards of foxtails to dogs are these.
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.
They get sniffed into dog noses work their way into dog ears and lodge between dog toes.
But if the seeds have penetrated the skin or have been inhaled or ingested usually pain inflammation and swelling will result.