What does a grass awn look like?
With Summer here, taking our dogs out for a walk is at the top of our list. However, we have seen an increase in grass seed wounds over the last few weeks. Now, the first question we must ask ourselves is, what is a grass seed? A grass seed is a type of grass which is common in South Africa during Spring and Summer. They are typically small and dart like shaped with a pointy end. These sharp and spiky seeds are called ‘awns’ that fan out and make it easy for the grass seed to penetrate a cat and dogs skin.
But what problems can a tiny grass awn cause?
Grass seeds can cause quite a bit f havoc for your pet. These tiny seeds burrow their way into your pet’s skin and can quickly travel further into their internal organs, causing inflammation, infections, abscess, internal bleeding and sometimes even death.
How do I know if my pet might have a grass seed?
After your walk in a grassy area, you might notice these signs soon after:
- Constantly or vigorously licking paws
- Limping
- Sudden head shaking/ eye infection
- Pawing at their ear or nose
- Sudden onset of violent sneezing
All dogs can be affected by grass seeds, but long-haired dogs are more difficult to examine and find the grass seeds, therefore we tend to see more of them.
What can I do to prevent grass awns from penetrating my dogs’ skin?
The best form of prevention against grass seeds is to thoroughly inspect your dog after a walk and remove any seeds. If you notice that the seed has started to burrow under your dog’s skin, contact us immediately, as grass seeds travel through the body quickly and can be difficult to find.
What should I do if my dog has a grass awn?
Please do not let the grass seed just sit in your pets’ skin. Grass seeds can cause your dog discomfort and infections. Contact us at 021-674 4090 if your pet has a grass seed.
