We are in summer and now dogs not only have to face the heat, fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and other insects, but also other enemies like spikes. Do you take all the precautions you should with your dog when you go to the field? In this article you will find everything you need to know to prevent your dog from suffering complications from a spike.
The spikes on the dogs
In very dry field areas it is common to find areas with spikes, so it is important to have our dogs controlled or not to let them loose to avoid problems. When these spikes are inserted into certain parts of animals they can cause pain and infection. Sometimes they lose their appetite, especially if the spike is stuck in the mouth or nose, they bite, or jerk hard. In case of any such symptom, it is advisable not to waste time and urgently go to the vet. Spikes can be trapped anywhere on the body, but there are areas that can be much more painful and dangerous than others.
The most common areas where spikes snag are the ears, nose, eyes, between toes, and on the genitals.
Ears
When a ear is strained into the ear, dogs will feel pain if we touch the ear and one of the symptoms that will manifest itself will be to constantly shake their head and even have their head on their side. If they usually have raised ears, that ear is likely to stay low. If the ear is not removed in a short period, it can lead to inflammation of the ear and otitis. Even in very extreme cases, the ears can pierce the eardrum.
Eyes
A spike in the eye is very annoying and painful for our dog because with the blinking it produces a lot of irritation. The tip of the spike can be lodged between the eyeball and the eyelid, the tear duct, or the third eyelid. The most common symptom is that they tend to close the eyes, creating tears and suppuration. When they scratch or try to rub the eye, they can complicate the situation by pushing the spike and end up causing damage to the cornea.
Nose
It can easily happen that our dog, which sniffs everything continuously, ends up inserting a spike into its nose. We can suspect that it has a spike when we see that it sneezes frequently, and tries to scratch its snout with its paws. We can also see that there is an excess of mucus and even blood. It is not recommended that you try to remove the nose pin by yourself as it is a very delicate area. It is better to take it to the vet, since in many cases they will have to sedate it in order to remove it. Don’t make the mistake of believing that he will go alone – it can cause an infection that would further complicate the situation.
Mouth
If our dog has hooked a spike in its mouth, it could be trapped in the gum, tongue or sides. Symptoms in this case are pain, excess drool, shaking of the head, difficulty in eating and drinking, or directly not wanting to eat.
The pads
The legs are the place where the dowels can be glued more frequently. Usually the sharp tip is inserted between the fingers. We can easily tell because our dog will begin to limp. If we see it in time, we can simply withdraw it. If we do not notice and the spike begins to penetrate the inside of the pads, we will see that the animal will lick and bite itself. You will feel pain and over time we will see a purulent abscess.
Genitals
If a spike gets stuck in your pet’s penis or vulva, she will have difficulty urinating, she could develop urinary tract infections, or she may even have fistulas that can cause purulent discharge, such as pus.
Tips to prevent spikes in dogs
- Avoid walking your dog in very dry areas.
- Thoroughly brush the dog’s entire body after each walk.
- Check the animal’s body after each walk through the field, controlling the most sensitive areas.
- If it is a long-haired dog, in the summer you can trim something. We never recommend cutting hair at skin level, because it protects them from direct sunlight.
- If when you return from a walk you detect something strange in your dog, such as restlessness, nervousness, itching, head tilt or sneezing, consult your vet immediately.
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