A vet has warned dog owners to check their pets every time they return home from a walk as they could end up forking out “hundreds, if not thousands of pounds”
A vet has issued a stark warning to dog owners, advising them to thoroughly check their pets after every walk.
The animal health specialist highlighted the financial and emotional cost of neglecting to look for grass seeds on dogs post-walk, which could lead to “hundreds, if not thousands of pounds” in vet bills.
She warned: “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.
“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 meticulously after every outing, regardless of whether it’s a stroll through the woods, across fields or along pavements, reports the Express.
In a video demonstration, she is seen examining her dog’s toes, peering into his ears, and checking around his eyes, nose, and mouth.
Upon discovering a grass seed in 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.
“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.”
She concluded with an earnest plea to fellow dog 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 user expressed gratitude for the information shared in the video, 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 approach: “I don’t take my dog anywhere near grass seeds on our walks.”
A third user brought up concerns about veterinary costs: “The prices the vets charge are disgusting the government need to step in and review them.”
Sharing a personal ordeal, another added: “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.”
Finally, a user recounted a troubling experience 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 impact of the incident: “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.”