In the summer months, grass seeds can become a real problem.
They commonly bury themselves in paws and ears where they attach to the long hair, before making their way down into the dog’s skin which can cause an infection.
This is extremely painful for the dog, making them feel lethargic and very uncomfortable. While dogs with grass seeds are very common at Burghley Vets over the summer months, they are easily preventable with quick checks to your dog’s paws and ears, as well as a whole body check.
Simply separate the fur and remove the seeds with a fine toothed comb for a happy and comfortable dog.
When checking the paws, make sure to separate the fur and check between the toes, especially if your dog has excess hair.
Trimming the fur on the paws can also help with the prevention of grass seeds and grooming problems.
After a walk be sure to check your dog’s underside to look out for are ticks, redness and cuts etc. Ticks and fleas are more common in areas with long grass or straw.
Daily body checks allow you to identify anything unusual on your dog.
Eyes are very sensitive and you can never over check your dog’s eyes. Preferably in a well lit area, you can gently hold your dog’s heads in both hands and carefully look into both eyes.
You should be looking for any debris (including grass seeds), discharge, infection, redness, cloudiness or crustiness.
Both pupils should be the same size and the mucous membranes should be nice and pink, not red. This indicates they are of a healthy colour. Before touching your dog’s eyes make sure you wash your hands thoroughly to reduce the risk of introducing bacteria.
If you suspect any debris you can gently rinse the eyes with clean, warm water and damp cotton wool.
However, if you are concerned, please don’t hesitate to contact the surgeries for further advice.