The tiny problem could ‘burrow down’ into the dog’s skin, becoming ‘painful’
Anyone with a dog should be aware of a “very painful” issue that can be hard to spot in most pets, especially ones with thick coats. It has prompted a reminder for responsible owners to do one thing after every walk this summer.
Practising vet Dr James Greenwood, who sometimes appears on TV programmes like BBC Morning Live and ITV’s This Morning, shared a clip on Instagram after checking his own dog. He wrote: “Filming for something else, then felt this little blighter buried in Dolly’s coat.
“I’ve not had to remove one from a patient this year (yet!). I guess this serves as a timely reminder to begin checking ears, feet, groin and all through your dog’s coat after every walk.”
He held up a small seed to the camera, measuring less than a fingertip in size. According to animal welfare charity Blue Cross, all dogs could risk picking up these seeds during walks, especially if they are taken for walks in meadows and woodland during the summer months.
Why are grass seeds such an issue for dogs?
A spokesperson said: “Grass seeds are small, pointy seeds that are attached to the tops of long grass stems. They are a problem for dogs because they can easily brush off into their fur during walks.
“Grass seeds have very sharp ends, so although they’re tiny, if they become trapped in your dog’s fur, they can burrow down and pierce their skin. They can also get stuck in your dog’s paws, ears, eyes or nose.
“If your dog becomes injured by a grass seed, it can be very painful. In rare cases, grass seeds can go under the skin and travel to other areas of your dog’s body, such as their chest. Once they get under the skin, they can become difficult to find.”
How to tell if your dog has been affected by grass seeds?
If your dog has a grass seed stuck in their paw, ear, nose, eyes or skin, you may notice certain behaviours or visible issues. These are:
- licking their paw constantly and vigorously
- has a painful swelling between their toes
- limping
- shaking their head
- pawing at their ear or rubbing it against surfaces after a walk
- suddenly and violently sneezing
- has redness, swelling or discharge in their eye
- chewing or licking at a sore spot on their skin
If you spot a grass seed in your dog’s fur and it has not yet pierced the skin, you can brush it off to prevent any injury or discomfort. If you spot a seed that has started to burrow into your dog’s skin, or if you think your dog might have a seed in their eye or ear, contact your vet as soon as possible.
Lower the risk of grass seed issues by checking your dog’s fur after a walk and removing any seeds straight away. Alternatively, avoid areas with long grass.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.dailyrecord.co.uk
