31/07/2026
Good morning everyone-
Lets discuss grass seed safety. Alfie came in yesterday for a revisit after having a grass seed removed from his eye. Alfie is doing really well and is healing nicely, but here's just a few ways grass seeds can be a hazard-
Paws: Sharp seeds wedge between toes, causing swelling, pain, and deep abscesses.
Ears: Seeds travel down the ear canal, causing intense head shaking, pain, and ruptured eardrums.
Nose and Eyes: Inhaling whilst sniffing leads to severe sneezing, discharge, or corneal damage, if embeds in eyes or nose.
Migration: Barbed seeds can pierce the skin and migrate through soft tissue, sometimes requiring surgery to remove.
Tips on what to look out for-
-Groom and check: Inspect your dog's paws, underbelly, and ears after outdoor walks during peak seeding seasons.
-Avoid long grass: Keep dogs on paths and away from overgrown meadows or fields with tall, dry seed heads during peak summer months.
-Trim feathering: Keep the hair around your dog’s paws, ears, and belly clipped short during high-risk seasons to prevent seeds from hiding.
If you suspect a seed is embedded or notice signs like head-shaking or paw-chewing, see a vet immediately. Do not attempt to dig deeply embedded seeds out yourself.
Many thanks,
Medivet Bamber Bridge
