Grass seed in dogs, what to do if seeds are lodged in your dog’s paws, ears or skin?

What causes grass seed wounds in dogs?

Grass seeds, are, perhaps surprisingly, a fairly big cause of emergency admissions to many of our hospitals and clinics in the spring and summer.

Also known as grass awns, these backward-pointing barbs, typically fall off long, wild grass, barley and rye, and embed themselves in a dog’s paws, ears, armpits, tail, or skin, sometimes causing painful wounds and infections. In rare cases, grass awns have also been known to burrow under the skin and travel to other parts of the body. All dogs can be affected but the most susceptible are those with feathery toes who enjoy skipping through long grass, such as springer spaniels.

What are the signs of grass seed wounds?

The signs depend on what part of the body is affected. But look out for hair matting, irritation and swelling. Other typical signs include excessive or unusual scratching and rubbing, head shaking, limping or discharge from the eyes or nose. If the seed is lodged in your dog’s mouth, which sometimes happens when they chew an area of skin where seeds have become attached, they may lick excessively or show discomfort. Our table below provides more detail on the main symptoms of grass seed wounds.

Treatment for grass seed wounds in dogs

The best way to prevent injury from grass seed in dogs is to find and remove them as swiftly as possible. For example, a grass seed in the eye can cause serious damage to the cornea if left untreated. Unfortunately, however, removal is not always straightforward.

It’s likely your vet will carry out a full physical examination of your pet to confirm the diagnosis before getting to work on removing the offending seed. If it’s close to the surface of the skin and easily accessible they may use a specially-designed pair of tweezers to do this.

If your vet suspects a grass seed is lodged too deeply, is in a particularly sensitive area, or there is pus or blood oozing out of a wound, they may need to sedate your dog. If a grass seed is thought to be the source of pain or infection but cannot be found, surgery may be required.

Prevention and prognosis for grass seeds in dogs

In simple terms, avoid long grass in the warmer months, keep your own lawn tidy and check your dog thoroughly after a walk, by running your fingers through their fur and checking inside the ears, in between the toes, and in the mouth and eyes.

You should also try to ensure your dog is well-groomed, especially around the ears and feet. The main threat to your dog’s health from grass seeds is when they penetrate the skin, enter the lungs, or burrow themselves into the body.