19/07/2026
⚠️ Grass Seed Alert ⚠️
This grass seed caused a very painful problem for one of our canine patients.
In this case, the grass seed became lodged deep inside the ear canal, making it too painful to remove while the dog was awake. To ensure it could be removed safely and comfortably, the patient required sedation.
Grass seeds may look harmless, but they have sharp, pointed ends that allow them to travel in one direction only. If they aren't found and removed promptly, they can migrate deeper into the body, leading to painful infections, abscesses, and sometimes the need for surgery.
🐾 Grass seeds commonly become lodged in:
• Ears
• Between the toes
• Eyes
• Nose
• Under the skin or in the coat
🐶 Signs to watch for include:
• Head shaking or scratching at the ears
• Excessive licking or chewing at a paw
• Swelling between the toes
• Sudden limping
• Sneezing or nosebleeds
• Squinting or excessive eye watering
After walks, especially through long grass or fields, take a few minutes to check your dog's ears, paws (especially between the toes), eyes, and coat for grass seeds. If you notice any of the signs above, contact your vet promptly. Early removal is much easier and can prevent these tiny seeds from causing much bigger problems.
A quick check after every walk could save your dog a lot of pain. 💚🐾
