A pet expert has urged owners to check over their dogs when they return home from a dog walk – and says it could save them a hefty vet bill
A vet has issued a warning to dog owners, advising them to thoroughly check their pets after every walk.
The veterinary professional highlighted the financial risk of “hundreds, if not thousands of pounds” that owners could face by neglecting to look for grass seeds on their dogs post-walk.
She explained: “At this time of year, grass seeds are rife. If you don’t already know, grass seeds can get stuck in a dog’s paws, ears, eyes, nose, mouth and throat.”
The expert warned about the potential costs and discomfort for pets: “They can cost you hundreds if not thousands of pounds [to have removed] and cause your dog a lot of pain and suffering.”
She emphasised her own routine, stating she inspects her dog after every outing, regardless of the environment they’ve walked in, be it woodland, fields or pavements, reports the Express.
In a demonstration video, she is seen examining her dog’s toes, ears, and checking around the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Upon removing a grass seed from her dog’s paw, she cautioned: “There we go. These grass seeds can get stuck in your dog’s toes, especially if you have a long-haired dog like mine.”
She described the dangers of the seeds: “The sharp bit on the end can pierce the skin and it ends up tracking up and they can get lost. These can be really, really dangerous.”
The vet concluded with a plea to pet owners: “Please, every time you bring your dog home from a dog walk, please check them. These can get stuck absolutely everywhere so be aware, keep an eye out for grass seeds.”
One viewer expressed gratitude in the comments section, saying: “Thank you for showing the grass seed! I always get stressed in case I’ve missed one by not looking thoroughly enough but I had no idea they were this size, I’ve been looking for minuscule seed.”
Another chimed in with a precautionary measure: “I don’t take my dog anywhere near grass seeds on our walks.”
A third commenter criticised veterinary costs: “The prices the vets charge are disgusting the government need to step in and review them.”
An additional comment came from a user sharing a personal experience: “I live in a rural village and I’ve always checked for seeds. Unfortunately, my eldest inhaled one which we didn’t know until such time he had a massive lump. Long story short, he’s ok, it nearly punctured his stomach. Vets were a nightmare, glad I acted when I did.”
Lastly, another user recounted a troubling incident with their pet: “When my dog was a puppy he ate one it got stuck inside in his face threw his mouth and one side of his face got swollen he was antibiotics for a week and the face went doe as soon as he finished the antibiotics his face was swollen again.”
They concluded with the ordeal’s impact: “He had to be operated to see what was causing it and they found grass seed. It cost us a fortune to operate him and the visits to the vets after.”