Grass seeds can be deadly to dogs because the seeds are often very sharp and have pointed tips with barbs. The barbed seed slowly works its way into a dog’s lungs if inhaled, or through the skin, if lodged into its hair, eventually penetrating the skin’s surface and entering the body cavity.

Once a grass seed penetrates the skin or is inhaled, it works its way inwards and then the body reacts adversely to this foreign body. Unfortunately, inhaled grass seeds are extremely difficult to diagnose and also cause the highest loss of life.

Initially, inhaled seeds may lodge in the dog’s nose, causing a sudden onset of sneezing or sometimes a nose bleed. If this has been inhaled deep into the chest and lodged in one of the main airways supplying the lungs it will cause a cough.

If we act quickly we can sometimes find the seed by examining the airways under general anaesthesia but removal is not always possible. If left, the seed may go on to cause a deep abscess in the lung tissue, or may migrate out of the chest to affect other internal organs.

Inhaled grass seed can sometimes be present for a considerable amount of time before the dog presents with being vaguely unwell and with increased respirations. The diagnosis requires pathological examination of chest secretions aspirated from the dog’s lungs.  Unfortunately, removal of the seed from the lungs is not a practical option, as it is often impossible to find. Treatment involves supportive care, surgical debridement and drainage of affected areas along with antibiotic treatment as indicated.