Grass seeds can cause life-threatening conditions in dogs warn the Kennel Club - particularly during warmer weather and owners should be vigilant .
Grass seed injuries are a common problem for dogs, particularly during the summer months.
Resembling tiny arrowheads, they can easily attach themselves to an animal’s fur and burrow into the skin, causing pets pain and discomfort.
The most commonly affected areas are the paws and ears, but they can also go up their nose, and breeds with hairy ears and paws are more at risk when in meadows or woodlands.
And in rare cases they could cause life-threatening problems. Earlier this summer a six year old cocker spaniel called Mollie developed a recurring cough after running through cornfields and other fields.
Despite having visited the vets and been prescribed painkillers, Mollie's owner Claire knew something was still wrong and, five days after the walk, rushed her back to the vets after Mollie almost collapsed.
A CT scan revealed a problem with one of her lungs and she was taken into surgery, with the vet discovering that Mollie had inhaled three grass seeds, which had punctured her lung.
Mollie remained in intensive care for four days, and has been left with a ten-inch scar and reduced lung capacity, but thankfully the vet is confident that she will make a full recovery in time.
“Although the vet initially didn’t find anything wrong, my gut told me otherwise – Mollie’s cough was so distinctive so I’m very thankful that it rang alarm bells now,” commented Claire. “She’s lost a lot of weight and muscle so we’re now feeding her up and she’s on a month of short-lead walks – and while we will take extra precautions from now on, we hope Mollie can continue to live life with the utmost joy.”
Following this incident, the Kennel Club is urging owners to be aware of the common signs of grass seeds affecting dogs:
- Shaking their head;
- Licking their paws;
- Looking uncomfortable;
- Lethargy;
- Appearing to be in pain;
- Swelling between the toes and/or any discharging wounds on the feet
New research released by The Kennel Club and its insurance partner, Agria Pet Insurance, reveals that dogs are more at risk of injury from grass seeds in the warmer months. 80% of all claims in the last year were made during the late summer and early autumn periods (September – October 2023, and July – August 2024), and nearly a third of all claims (30%) were made in September and October.
Robin Hargreaves, Senior Veterinary Advisor at Agria Pet Insurance added: “Grass seeds might seem harmless but they can be very dangerous if left untreated, and cause a lot of pain and discomfort to your dog.
“It’s important to always check over your dog after walks in meadows, woodlands or any green area and if you think they might be affected, contact your vet immediately.”
Further information and advice for dog owners about avoiding summer hazards can be found on the Kennel Club website.
