This entry was posted on 2020-10-02 by Pet Heaven Store.

Every year towards the end of spring and most of summer we see grass seeds causing a lot of issues for many pets. Even though the clinical signs can vary quite a bit, it is a painful situation that can be prevented if one knows what to look for and how to react.

So why do simple grass seeds cause injuries in dogs?

Certain grass species become dry towards the end of their growing season and attach to our pet’s hair. In nature this would be the way the grass species would spread to new areas, attached to an animal’s coat and start growing in new regions. They then tend to move in one direction the longer they are attached, until eventually the grass awns will go into the skin and keep migrating in one direction. But it is not only the skin that gets affected, these grass seeds can also attach to the pinna or lobe of the ear and go down the ear canal causing acute and severe head shaking and distress. They can be swallowed in water bowls and cause severe coughing or even eventually migrate from the oesophagus into the lungs or any other tissue.

Which animals are most likely affected?

Even though one can see grass seed related issues in any pet, one tends to see most cases in long haired dogs that often go for walks. Breeds most commonly associated with these are long haired dogs such as Spaniels,Schnauzers, Golden Retrievers, Boomer type dogs and Poodles. One can also see grass seed issues in long haired cats.

What should one be looking for?

The most common presentation tends to be a small pustule or abscess in between the toes of the dog’s paw, which the dog tends to lick. Grass seeds are however most definitely not limited to the feet, one can see them anywhere on the body, with other likely sites including small sores or abscesses on the tummy or on the insides of the legs, and migration tracts anywhere on the legs. The ears are also commonly affected and the pet will present to the vet practice after having been for a walk, with violent non-stop head shaking.

How does one treat these injuries if seen on your pet?

Because most grass seeds can actually cause considerable pain and injury it is best to treat it properly as soon as it is noticed. If you manage to remove the entire seed from the skin then it should heal well on its own. But if you notice a small abscess, an area of skin that your pet has excessively licked and is infected, an area of skin that looks like a tract, then it is better to let your local vet investigate. Most times the animal actually needs to be sedated to surgically explore these wounds to find the foreign body or grass seed. The seed can actually migrate quite far from the entry point, and unless found, it will keep migrating in one direction. Often if the skin is very infected the area may need to be bandaged post op and the animal will be given a course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories for pain.

If the grass seed is in another location on your pet besides the most common presentation of being in the skin, for example in the ear or in the eye or in the throat, then one almost always will have to sedate or anaesthetise the animal to remove the seed. One often only has one chance to retrieve these seeds. Remember that they are extremely unlikely to heal or go away on their own. And can cause problems for years if left.

How can one prevent grass seed injuries?

Be aware when grass seed season starts in your area. Look in your park or neighbourhood to establish whether you should be concerned or not. If grass seeds are a major problem in your area or with your pet, try to avoid the region in the problem months. Also see if the grass can be mowed before the seeds or awns become yellow, dry and ready to attach to an animals skin.

Because long haired animals are mostly affected, it is always a good idea to carefully examine your pet’s coats post walk looking for the seeds, as they will first attach to the hair before they burrow into the skin. Pay special attention to in between the paws.

Many dogs really benefit from clipping the coats short in the spring and summer months. If the whole body is not clipped at least keep the ears and feet short. Groom your pet daily to prevent knots in the hair and remove seeds before they burrow into the skin!

Take prompt action if you notice sudden head shaking or any clinical signs mentioned above. Remember grass seed issues can present in many different ways so if you are unsure, it is always better to let your vet carefully examine your beloved pet.

Grass seeds are a real menace but it cannot be emphasized enough that prevention is better than cure. Know what to look for, treat immediately and this disease complex that can generally be easily controlled.