Summer and Autumn are some of the best times of year to enjoy being outdoors with our pets, but it can also bring a seasonal danger – Grass seeds!
Grass seeds may seem small and harmless, but their pointed, dart-like shape mean they can firmly attach to fur and work their way into our pet’s body. Because of this shape, grass seeds can only move forward, meaning that they can continue to migrate through the tissues causing pain, infection and in some cases depending on their location, serious illness.
Over this summer at Ledbury Park Vets, we saw a significant increase in grass seed cases compared to last year – Possibly due to all the hot dry weather we have had. We have removed grass seeds from well-known areas such as ears, eyes, nose and from between toes, however we have had some uncommon locations such as the scrotum of one dog,
underneath the jaw in another and we’ve even had a few which have been inhaled into the lungs! While this may sound unusual, grass seeds are remarkably good at finding their way into almost any part of the body.
Dogs are particularly at risk, especially if they have long coats, hairy feet and floppy ears, as grass seeds can become easily trapped in their fur during walks. Cats are less commonly affected but can still pick up grass seeds while exploring outdoors.
The signs of a grass seed problem depend on where it has lodged. A dog with a grass seed in its ear may suddenly shake its head, hold the ear down or cry out in pain. Seeds in the eye often cause excessive blinking, redness and discharge. Sneezing violently or repeated pawing at the nose may indicate a grass seed lodged inside the nostril. Licking at the feet, swelling between the toes or a persistent limp are common signs of seeds embedded in the paws. Sometimes a grass seed travels under the skin, leading to painful swellings or abscesses that may appear some distance from where the seed first entered.
The good news is that there are simple steps owners can take to reduce the risk. After every walk, particularly through long grass, check your pet carefully. Pay attention to the ears, between the toes, eyes and under the coat, removing any seeds before they have a chance to burrow in. Keeping the hair around your dog’s feet neatly trimmed can also help prevent seeds becoming trapped and make it easier to see issues.
If you notice any sudden signs of discomfort, persistent licking, swelling, discharge or unusual behaviour following a walk, it is important to seek veterinary advice. The sooner a grass seed is found, the easier it is to remove and the less damage it is likely to cause. Delaying treatment can allow the seed to migrate further, often requiring surgery or more advanced investigations to locate it.
If you are ever concerned, don’t hesitate to contact us —we are always happy to help keep
your pets safe throughout the summer.
