Grass awns in dogs: small, sharp and dangerous

Awns are small, bristly parts of plants with fine barbs. They can become lodged in fur and enter paws, ears, nose or eyes. If you check your dog thoroughly after a walk and take warning signs seriously, you can prevent painful inflammation.

A walk through a dry summer meadow seems harmless. But between the grasses there are small parts of plants that can be unpleasant for dogs: awns. Often you only notice them when the dog suddenly limps, sneezes violently or doesn't stop shaking his head.

The problem isn't just the sharp tip. Many awns have fine bristles that point backwards. This means they slide comparatively easily in one direction, but are difficult to move back. If they go unnoticed, movement and licking can drive them deeper into the skin or tissue.

An awn is a stiff, pointed extension of ears or fruits of various types of grass and grain. Ripe, dry parts of the plant come off easily and remain attached to the fur. The risk is particularly increased in summer on field edges, unmown meadows, dry roadsides and in tall grass.

Not every awn that lies in the fur becomes a medical problem. It becomes dangerous if it gets stuck, penetrates the skin or gets into a body opening. It can then cause pain, inflammation, purulent abscesses and so-called draining tracts. In rare cases, inhaled or deeply penetrated plant parts can get further into the body.

Awns are easy to miss between the toes and pads. Sudden limping, frequent paw licking, nibbling, a small red area or increasing swelling are typical. Sometimes only a tiny puncture is visible at first. Later, a painful lump or draining tract may form.

If an awn gets into the ear canal, the dog often suddenly starts shaking its head violently or scratching its ears. He may hold his head to one side and move away when touched. A foreign body can irritate the ear canal, cause inflammation and, in the worst case, injure the eardrum.

After sniffing the dry grass, an awn can get into the nose. Paroxysmal, persistent sneezing, rubbing the muzzle with the paw or one-sided nasal discharge are suspicious. Blood in the nasal secretions, coughing, choking or breathing problems must be clarified quickly. Inhaled awns can reach deeper into the respiratory tract and cause severe inflammation.

In the eye, awns can get under the eyelid or injure the cornea. Sudden squinting, excessive tearing, redness, rubbing and photophobia are warning signs. Parts of plants in the mouth or throat can cause salivation, coughing, choking, difficulty swallowing or repeated pawing at the snout.

Awns get stuck particularly easily in long or thick fur. Common locations are the armpits, groin, abdomen, ear flaps, tail and the area between the toes. There the tip can work its way closer to the skin with every movement.

Contact a veterinary practice if any of these signs occur after walking in tall or dry grass:

If your dog has difficulty breathing, bluish mucous membranes, collapse or severe unsuccessful choking, this is an emergency. Go to the nearest veterinary clinic or emergency veterinary service immediately.

A quick routine after each walk through tall grass only takes a few minutes:

If possible, keep your dog on the path on dry field edges and in areas heavily covered with awns. Regular grooming and carefully trimming the fur between the paws can make checking easier. Of course, whiskers on the snout remain untouched.

If the awn is loose on the fur or on the outside of the skin, you can carefully remove it with your fingers or a comb. Once it is stuck, broken, or your dog is in pain, do not dig, squeeze, or use tweezers blindly.

Attempting to remove it yourself is particularly risky in the ear canal, nose or eyes. Cotton buds can push a foreign body deeper. You should not use liquid, oil or ear cleaners on a possible foreign body without a vet's instructions. The same applies to the paw: a small opening does not mean that the awn is directly underneath or can be fully grasped.

The examination depends on the area of the body affected. Ears are checked with an otoscope and the nose or throat is examined endoscopically if necessary. A thorough eye examination and, if necessary, staining of the cornea are also carried out on the eye.

For deeper awns, ultrasound, x-rays, computed tomography or other imaging procedures may be necessary. A painful or difficult to reach awn is often removed under sedation or anaesthesia. Inflamed tissue must be cleaned and, depending on the findings, treated additionally. It is crucial that the plant part is removed as completely as possible.

Awns are small, but not harmless because of their point and barbs. In particular, paws, ears, nose, eyes and heavily haired areas of the body should be checked after walks through dry grass. Loose awns in the fur can be easily removed early on. If your dog has symptoms, a stuck awn or a foreign body in a body opening, seek veterinary help as quickly as possible.