Darcey's silky fur is like a magnet for seeds of all types so we always check her over after every walk to make sure that they are all removed.
Only we somehow managed to miss one stuck between her toes and it worked it's way inside and Darcey had to go to the vet to have it removed.
She ended up with a bandaged foot and a course of antibiotics and the "lampshade" which needless to say didn't last long.
Less than 24 hours and she'd figured a way to get it off and render the thing useless by chewing it up!
These were the culprits:
They're like tiny little arrow heads, very pointy and sharp and they actually work their way into the flesh.
Darcey was quite lucky as the one she picked up was easily retrievable, with tweezers, by the vet, through the entry hole. But, sometimes a seed can work it's way up through the foot making it very difficult to find. Grass seeds don't show up in x rays so if one does get lost inside the body it's difficult to find and could require surgery.
The most common entry points, according to The Kennel Club, are feet and ears so be sure to check your dog carefully after they've been outside to prevent a painful and expensive trip to the vets.
Symptoms of grass seed "attack" are vigorous licking and in the case of one being embedded in the ear, head shaking. Don't delay in getting your dog to the vet, the longer you wait the more chance of the seed migrating within the body.
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