Summertime is awn time

Awns are weeds of grass and grain that pose a significant risk of injury to dogs in summer

The rough awns, which have barbs, can quickly get stuck on their fur when walking in a meadow or in thick bushes. Due to the barb-like surface structure, they are not thrown off by movement and shaking; on the contrary, the movement moves awns much deeper into the coat. There, awnings can pierce the skin with their tips, get stuck in the ear canal or cause eye injuries.

Symptoms of awn infection on the limbs can include intensive licking of the paw, limping or swelling of the paw. An infection of the ear canal can result in shaking of the head or scratching of the ears. This in turn causes the awn to migrate even deeper and can lead to ear canal infections, or worse, to an injury to the eardrum.

Eye injuries caused by grunes cause painful conjunctivitis or injuries to the cornea. The result is swelling and redness of the eye.

If there is a suspicion of an infestation by awns, they should See a vet immediately. Do not attempt to remove the awn yourself, as this could result in a significant risk of injury or even deeper installation of the awn. Don't wait! Quick removal promotes progress and minimizes the risk of severe inflammation or sequelae. that Team from the Rödiger Veterinary Practice in Falkensee is available 7 days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.