With the hot summer weather comes an abundance of grass seeds which can become embedded in your pet’s coat, in between their toes, up their nostrils and often in ears and eyes.
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Once a grass seed is embedded, it can migrate through the skin, causing nasty infections and often widespread soft tissue trauma.
In severe cases, seeds may migrate into vital organs such as the heart, lungs, spinal cord or kidney where they can cause serious, life-threatening problems as a result of infection and the development of widespread scar tissue.
Signs of grass seed foreign bodies may include: head shaking, rubbing or licking at the affected area, a swelling or a wound that doesn’t heal or a spot that the pet constantly licks at.
To help reduce the risk of grass seeds being a problem for your pet, keep on top of grooming care and regularly check between their toes and other vulnerable areas as well for seeds after walking or exploring through grassy areas.
If you are concerned your pet has a grass seed in their eye or ear, immediately present them to your veterinarian for examination and removal of the seed.
With delay in treatment, these animals run a risk of permanent blindness or deafness and/or the grass seed becomes increasingly difficult and risky to remove.
Regular mowing and weed control in and around your yard greatly reduces the risk of grass seeds for your pet.
Breeds that have soft thick fur such as springer and cocker spaniels are at greatest risk for grass seed issues, so particular attention to their grooming on a regular basis greatly minimises the constant need for veterinary attention this time of year.
