08/08/2023
JUST ANOTHER REMINDER TO EVERYONE ABOUT THIS SEASONAL DANGER:
TODAY OUR BREED EXPERT is looking at the dangers grass seeds can pose for dogs
Many of us are now coming up to the dreaded grass seed season; when seeds or ‘awns’ off some particular grasses can lodge in our dogs’ feet, noses, ears or elsewhere on the body, pierce the skin, and then sometimes migrate, with movement, ever deeper into the body unless removed in time.
There are few owners I know who do not have some horror story to tell of grass seeds migrating up noses, or up legs from the toes, or even being swallowed or inhaled and damaging the mouth, throat or lungs. For once inside the body they really can cause havoc, including recurring abscesses or more serious infections.
KNOW YOUR ENEMY – AND KEEP CHECKING
Pictured are some of the most common dangerous grass seeds found in the UK, but in other countries there may well be many others. Either way once the grass seed season starts – and it seems to go on ever longer these days – get into the habit of always taking with you on a walk a pair of tweezers and a small finer toothed comb.
Then, every time your dog goes through areas where grass seeds are shedding immediately check the following areas on them: the eyes (are there any seeds trapped between the eye and eyelids?) the nose, ears (lift back the ear flap, and see if seeds are sitting in the hair around the outer ear, and thus may fall further down into the ear canal itself if not removed.
Then, the feet and particularly between the pads and toes – one of the most common areas for grass seeds to lodge. They may then keep piercing further into the toes as your dog moves, and sometimes even migrate up the legs to cause massive infections there. If seeds have gone in a bit deeper between the toes, use the tweezers to remove them.
Next, check other areas on your dog like the armpits, groin/genital area, chest, belly, legs and sides, to ensure no seeds have lodged there, and use your fine comb to remove them as soon as you can.
It can take less than a minute to go through this routine all over check on your dog after going through grass seed areas, but save them so much later suffering if you do – as well as a potentially pretty hefty vets’ bill for you!
LATER DAMAGE
Sometimes – and particularly on dogs with thicker or longer coats - you may miss a seed that is then able to go further into the body and do more damage later. So if – during the grass seed season - you see your dog persistently shaking their head or scratching at one ear, a grass seed may well have gone down it. Similarly if your dog develops sores, infections, lumps or swellings on the body over a shorter period of time, and during the grass seed season, or keeps chewing at their feet, consider the possibility that a grass seed could be the cause of this when seeing your vet. You can find a lot more on the perils of grass seeds via this link:
https://thepethospitals.com/beware-grass-awns/
In the meantime, constantly be vigilant to the grass seed peril – and stay safe out there!
All text ©Carol Price 2023/Collieology
