Slobber & Chops Guide: Grass Seeds & Your Dogs Health

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Grass Seeds could be a threat to your dogs health

Grass seeds may seem like a harmless topic to many. Still, most people don't know the risks grass seeds can pose for your dogs - from piercing their skin to even travelling inside your dog, causing pain, discomfort, inflammation, infection and even leading to serious surgery and complications.

With first-hand experience, this can be a horrific experience for both dog and owner, so we wanted to give you the information to keep your dogs safe, including what to look out for, how to avoid grass seeds and what risks they pose to your four-legged friends.

How to Look Out For Grass Seeds

Many of us enjoy the variety that the seasons bring us and the adventures we have with our dogs. As we move through summer, we enjoy the warmer sun and wonderful walks. With this bounty of outdoor time, we run the risk of exposing our dogs to grass seeds. At this time of year, groomers and local vets alike see an increase in the number of dogs with grass seeds in their coats and, even worse, in the skin.

The general advice would be to avoid tall or long grasses, dry cuttings and ‘dead’ looking patches of longer grasses. Unfortunately, that is easier said than done as these are often at the side of the path or field you are walking along.

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The biggest (but not only) culprit in the UK seems to be ‘foxtail’ grasses or spear grass (main picture). These spear-like seeds detach into our clothes and our dog’s fur as we walk, bound, jump and play. They can become a health hazard for dogs and other domestic animals as they can gradually work their way towards and into the skin. But they do not stop there! Once piercing the skin, it can continue to enter your dog’s body.

The grass seeds can then travel around creating a ‘tract’ that can become infected and pose a serious health risk for your dog.

On the plant, seeds may appear in a variety of styles but are usually found at the end of taller stems, with the leaves of the grass at the base of the plant. Regularly mown lawns rarely produce seeds as the plant never gets big enough to do this.

The seeds form with a hull (or husk) and this is often the part that can come detached when in your dog's coat or skin. The seed itself is an arrowhead shape often very small and hard to spot.

The grass seed itself is seen as a ‘foreign object’ by your dog’s immune system and can form an abscess (a pocket of puss) inside your dog. The burrowing seeds can also pose risks to soft tissue and organs within your dog and can result in surgery. Our personal experience is both severe and incredibly stressful. It resulted in multiple high-risk surgeries over a year, discomfort, distress and a big vet bill!

As we move through the summer and into Autumn it's more important than ever to check your dog for grass seeds after every walk. So here is our Slobber & Chops guide to searching out these pesky seeds that pose such a risk.

Grass Dees can Pierce your dogs skin and cause serious damage

Check Your Dog From Nose to Tail

As a general rule, move front to back, checking each section in turn. Longer coat breeds and fluffy dogs are more prone to picking up grass seeds because of their fur. So be sure to part the hair on longer breeds on each area to thoroughly examine the skin and brush/comb well as you go.

Nose & Eyes:
Always check around your dog’s nose and eyes as it's easy for them to pick one up when sniffing the ground, even on the side of a path, or when running in long grass. Check both nostrils and the fur on the face and examine any folds of skin your dog may have. Gently open each eye and just check they are clear.

Ears:
Lift the flap of your dog’s ear and look down into the ear checking the seed has not started to travel down the ear canal. Also, check each ear front and back.

Breeds that have long ears that are especially fluffy will be more prone to picking the seeds up, so part the fur and go through the dog’s ear fur with a brush and a comb.

Legs:
Start at the top and work down checking inside the armpits and joints as more mobile areas cause grass seeds to migrate faster.

Pads:
Lifting the dog’s foot back, look in between the pads, gently pulling the pad apart and checking the seed is not in between or lodged in any ‘pockets’ of hair.

Breeds with more fur are again more likely to pick up the seeds in the pads.

Between the toes:
Gently part each toe on the top of your dog’s foot and check that seeds are not hidden in between. This is a very common entry point for a seed to enter the dog’s body as they are harder to spot.

As you might expect, breeds with more fur are again more likely to pick up the seeds in the pads.

The Hygiene Area:
As your dog walks around, sniffing, exploring and relieving themselves, they naturally pass by long grasses, even in built-up areas. When going to the toilet, they can easily pick up seeds in this area of their body.

To check for seeds here, if your dog will let you, gently turn the dog onto its back and check the groin area and in between the back legs. Alternatively, lift each back leg.

What Else can I do to Protect my Dog?

Consider your dog's summer groom style - longer coats are much more likely to pick up seeds and the same goes for curly coats. Think about the high-risk areas like your dog's face (especially the snout and ears), feet and legs. Talk to your groomer for advice on the perfect summer cut for your dog.

Also, check the skin of your short-haired breed regularly too as they are not immune, just a little less likely to suffer from picking up a grass seed.

Consider your dog's summer groom style - longer coats are much more likely to pick up seeds and the same goes for curly coats. Think about the high-risk areas like your dog's face (especially the snout and ears), feet and legs. Talk to your groomer for advice on the perfect summer cut for your dog.

Also, check the skin of your short-haired breed regularly too as they are not immune, just a little less likely to suffer from picking up a grass seed.

What to do if you Find Grass Seeds on Your Dog

What to do if you Find Grass Seeds on Your Dog

If you find a grass seed that has pierced or entered your dog's skin it is always best to get your vet to double-check the point of entry to make sure the whole seed is out. Any remaining organic material of the seed and the entry point pose a risk of infection, abscesses or complications.

If you are concerned about removing a grass seed or that not all of the seed has come out, always consult your vet.

If your dog groomer finds a grass seed they should always tell you, show you the entry point and advise on your next course of action. At Slobber & Chops, we strongly advise veterinary checks.


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