Hampshire vets warns pet owners of grass seed danger

St Peter’s Vets has issued a warning about the potential dangers of grass seeds after seeing a higher than usual number of affected dogs admitted to its surgeries in Petersfield, Liss, Horndean and Farlington. The practice has also treated cats that have been affected by grass seeds.

Grass seeds can become imbedded in paws, ears, eyes, armpits, the tail, the groin or other areas of skin, and may cause painful wounds and infections. The sharp point of the seeds can pierce the skin and migrate through the body or, if inhaled into the mouth or nose, can lodge in the lungs, leading to serious infections that may be life-threatening.

The latest case saw Spaniel Dot, who belongs to St Peter’s Vets reception manager Zoey Lee, needing treatment after a grass seed caused her head to swell up and double in size.

Signs a pet is affected by grass seeds include:-

• Hair matting
• Irritation and swelling
• Blood or discharge from a small wound
• Excessive or unusual licking, scratching and rubbing the head and eyes
• Sneezing or rubbing the nose
• Headshaking
• Limping or nibbling at paws
• Discharge from the eyes

Vet Ruth Brownlee, one of St Peter’s Vets clinical directors, said all types of dog can be affected but the most susceptible are breeds with feathery toes and long floppy ears, such as spaniels.

Ruth said: “It’s a really good idea to check and groom your dog if they have been walked in areas with long grass and remove any seeds that you find. Cats should also be checked daily, especially if they might explore areas where there is long grass.

“If you are concerned your pet may have an embedded grass seed, you should contact your vet. It’s particularly important to seek veterinary advice if you suspect there is a grass seed in their eye, in case the surface of the eye has been scratched, which could lead to an ulcer forming.”

Dot became unwell the day after she’d been walked in fields near Zoey’s home in Blackmoor.

Zoey said: “Dot was fine straight after the walk but the next day her head was swollen on the right-hand side and she couldn’t open her eye on that side. I rushed her into our practice in Petersfield and we initially thought she might have suffered a head trauma, but an ultrasound scan revealed that a grass seed was the problem. There was a seed inside Dot’s head that had most likely gone into her eye, travelled behind the eye socket and then migrated further back into her head.

“One of our vets, Jen Monnington, lanced the top of Dot’s head, which released lots of pus that had built up and she was able to remove the offending grass seed with a pair of forceps. Dot needed to stay in the practice overnight so she could be monitored, but she’s made a full recovery and is back to her old self.

“It’s hard to believe how much trouble something as small as a grass seed can cause and how far back it travelled into Dot’s head. I’m now being extra thorough when I check her over for seeds after we’ve been for a walk and I would urge other owners to do the same.”