Family Vet Centre's Nadine Miller warns of dangers of grass seed injuries

The number of grass seed-related injuries Family Vet Centre has seen already this summer is "astronomical", veterinarian Nadine Miller said.

Small grass seeds can cause extensive issues for dogs and cats, rupturing ear drums, causing major bleeds, abscesses and eye ulcers.

Dr Miller said owners didn't always realise how dangerous they were.

The centre is undertaking four to eight grass seed removals a day.

"It becomes a real health issue, we're removing 20 to 30 from some dogs, we have to anaesthetise them to go over their body from top to toe," she said.

"Some dogs have to have surgery to remove scar tissue from where a grass seed has burrowed into skin."

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Dr Miller said CT scans were sometimes required to find grass seeds which were causing multiple abscesses.

"It seems like a small problem but it can turn into a big, expensive problem and for pets it's a very dangerous problem," she said.

To avoid grass seeds, owners should keep their animals away from long grass and should check their pets for grass seeds especially in their ears, nose, throat, paws, bottom, armpits and groin.

"Be careful where you are exercising your pet," Dr Miller said.

"Keep your yard clean, groom your pets daily and keep hair short around their tummy and tail.

"The amount of work grass seeds give us at this time of year is astronomical.

"It's a horrible problem, it seems benign but can be horrible, tricky problem."

Dr Miller also warned owners to be careful with their pets on hot days. She said animals should not be walked on extremely hot pavement, should never be left in cars on hot days and should always have access to cold water.

Dr Miller said short-nosed dogs like bulldogs or Staffordshire terriers overheated very quickly.

"Be aware how hot the temperature is and your pet's fitness level and breed, and they how cope with temperatures outside," he said. "Find somewhere cool, let your pets inside to sit in front of the air condition.

"Remember if you're hot, they're hot too."

The veterinarian said owners should also make bushfire plans that included their pets to ensure they knew what to do, and where their pet would go, if they had to evacuate and stay away from the home.

More information can be found at https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/before-and-during-a-fire/pets-and-bushfires

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