With spring just around the corner, experts are warning dog owners to be on the lookout for grass seeds.
You might be asking, why? After all, grass seeds don’t seem like a danger for our pooches.
However, grass seeds can pose a serious threat to dogs. And it’s not a danger that most dog owners are aware of.
Many dogs suffer and die from grass seed foreign bodies. Although it is an issue all around the country, it’s more prominent in regional areas. They also affect different dogs differently as well.
Grass seeds pose a serious threat to our dogs. Credit: AustralianDogLover.
Working dogs are more likely to get grass seeds stuck in their internal organs, caused by the working dogs inhaling the seed while they. Stuck grass seeds in internal organs can cause abscesses in the dog’s abdomen, chest, heart, and back.
However, non-working dogs are more likely to get grass seeds stuck on the outside of their body. The most common areas include their face (mouth, ears, and nose), as well as their paws.
An injured dog accidentally walks through this doorway. What happens next will leave you in tears.
Grass seeds may be small, but they are also deadly for your dogs.
These dogs get grass seeds stuck to them after coming in contact with long grass, often from their backyards or walks around the neighbourhood and parks.
Symptoms of Grass Seed
Dog owners should look out for signs of grass seed which indicates that their pets may require veterinarian attention.
Depending on where the grass seed enters the body and where they end up, the symptoms of grass seeds can include:
- Skin: swelling, lameness, and oozing bloody discharge.
- Ears: pus, head tilted to one side, and constant head shaking.
- Nose: sneezing, discharge, blood, and pawing/rubbing at the muzzle.
- Eyes: Sore and red eyes, swollen eyelids, and mucky eye gunk.
- Spinal Cord: difficulty in walking, decreased appetite, and tiredness.
- Inhaled: tiredness, rapid breathing, reduced appetite, fever, and coughing.
Research into Grass Seeds
Dr Martin Combs is a senior lecturer for small animal medicine at CSU and the head of a small animal referral at Wagga Hospital. Dr Combs is trying to raise awareness in grass seed to prevent unwanted incidents.
“Raising awareness is crucial as most dog owners are unaware of how severe this can be,” he said.
Working dogs, like border collies, are more prong to get grass seeds stuck internally.
“Working dogs often get a severe case of grass seed as they are exposed in different ways,” Dr Combs explains.
“We’ve seen cases where farm dogs have thousands of seeds in their fur. I have also cases where the seeds have worked their way directly through the dog’s body wall and into the cavities.”
How this puppy with broken paws managed to overcome his injuries through lots of love.
“The injuries can prevent them from doing their work.”
Dr Combs, along with a team of researchers, are currently researching techniques that will better prevent, diagnose, and treat grass seed foreign bodies in dogs. They wish to reduce the number of dogs affected each year and also the severity of the disease.
“Finding foreign grass seed bodies is incredibly difficult,” Dr Combs said. “Many of the current diagnostic imaging techniques are ineffective. Also seeds move, so even if we find the location of inflammation, that is often not where the seed is.”
Prevent your dog from getting grass seeds by avoiding long, grassy areas.
Advise for Grass Seed
Dr Combs’ advice for pet owners is to be aware of grass seeds and prevent your dogs from areas where they can potentially come in contact with it.
You can prevent your dog from grass seeds by avoiding long, grassy areas and by regularly mowing your lawns. You should also regularly groom your dog as a preventative measure.
“Grooming is important as it reduces cross fibres in the coat that can hold and pull the seed towards their skin,” Dr Combs said.
Grass seed cases usually appear in late spring and early summer according to Dr Combs. So be on the lookout for grass seed this season and make sure to take preventative measures!
