Vet’s ‘small and pointy’ alert all dog owners should ‘check’ for

Owners should check all over after taking their pet for a walk in high risk areas this summer

Dog owners should be aware of a “very painful” issue that can be difficult to spot in many pets, particularly those with thick coats. It has caused a vet to issue a timely reminder for responsible owners to make one simple check after every walk this summer.

Practising vet Dr James Greenwood, who sometimes appears on programmes such as BBC Morning Live and ITV’s This Morning, shared a clip on Instagram after checking his own dog. He wrote: “Filming for something else, then felt this little blighter buried in Dolly’s coat.

“I’ve not had to remove one from a patient this year (yet!). I guess this serves as a timely reminder to begin checking ears, feet, groin and all through your dog’s coat after every walk.”

He held a small seed up to the camera, measuring less than a fingertip in size, reports the Daily Record. According to animal welfare charity Blue Cross, all dogs face the risk of picking up these seeds during walks, particularly those taken through meadows and woodland throughout the summer months.

Why are grass seeds such an issue for dogs?

A spokesperson said: “Grass seeds are small, pointy seeds that are attached to the tops of long grass stems. They are a problem for dogs because they can easily brush off into their fur during walks.

“Grass seeds have very sharp ends, so although they’re tiny, if they become trapped in your dog’s fur, they can burrow down and pierce their skin. They can also get stuck in your dog’s paws, ears, eyes or nose.

“If your dog becomes injured by a grass seed, it can be very painful. In rare cases, grass seeds can go under the skin and travel to other areas of your dog’s body, such as their chest. Once they get under the skin, they can become difficult to find.”

How to tell if your dog has been affected by grass seeds?

Should your dog have a grass seed lodged in their paw, ear, nose, eyes or skin, you may observe particular behaviours or noticeable symptoms. These are:

• licking their paw constantly and vigorously
• has a painful swelling between their toes
• limping
• shaking their head
• pawing at their ear or rubbing it against surfaces after a walk
• suddenly and violently sneezing
• has redness, swelling or discharge in their eye
• chewing or licking at a sore spot on their skin

If you find a grass seed in your dog’s coat that has not yet broken the skin, you can brush it away to avoid any harm or discomfort. If you find a seed that has begun to burrow into your dog, or if you suspect your dog may have a seed in their eye or ear, get in touch with your vet immediately.

Reduce the likelihood of grass seed complications by thoroughly checking your dog’s coat following a walk and removing any seeds promptly. Alternatively, steer clear of areas with long grass.