Watch Out There’s A Grass Seed About!!
If there is one thing that we are seeing a lot of at Hollywood Dogs this month it’s the dreaded grass seed! If your dog has been fortunate not to have picked up any of these blighters lately then count yourself lucky, they seem to be everywhere!
Dogs pick grass seeds up particularly in the summer months and it’s usually the dogs that are lucky enough to go for long walks in the countryside. Common places for grass seeds are between the toes, in the armpit and in the ears. They are very painful for your dog and they work their way into the skin and unless they are removed quickly they can cause infection which will involved a trip to the vet.
One unlucky customer recently had a £3000 vet bill when a grass seed managed to travel inside her dog and into his lung. Thankfully he is fully recovered but it was a nasty incident.
Even with a grass seed between the toes which must be really painful your vet may have to sedate your dog to remove this which has all the usual risks associated with a general anaesthetic.
Here is a picture of an infection caused by a grass seed
So what can you do to make sure that none of this happens to your furry friend?
Give your dog a thorough check over if he/she has been anywhere they can pick up a grass seed. Splay their toes out and have a good look inside, feel for any heat or swelling. When your dog is lying on his back look in the armpits for any lumps or signs of anything different.
It’s important to keep hair short in these areas especially if you have a heavy coated dog like a spaniel, they are particularly prone to picking them up although we have seen them in all sorts of coats.
If you are in any doubt that you may have found a grass seed or would like to be shown how to check your dog over then Rachel is more than happy to take a look free of charge. Just come into the salon and we can put your mind at rest.
Advice is always free, we like to have happy and healthy customers just like cute little Pippin here………
