Dr Martin Combs, with golden retriever Harvey, says simple checks and grooming techniques could prevent grass seed problems in working and domestic dogs.
Grass seeds have always been a problem for dogs, especially when they get stuck in different parts of their bodies. Researchers are looking into how to deal with and know when a grass seed is causing a dog a serious issue.
The effects of grass seeds in working and domestic dogs is being looked into by Charles Sturt University researchers.
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“This is a huge problem in regional Australia,” research team leader Martin Combs said.
“Many dogs suffer and die from grass seed foreign bodies, tens of thousands need treatment for it.”
Dr Combs said the presentation of grass seed foreign bodies in working dogs and domestic dogs differed in terms of the body parts the seed got stuck in and the symptoms the dogs showed to indicate there was a problem.
Working dogs are more likely to get grass seeds stuck in internal organs, after they have been inhaled while running, which can lead to abscesses in the back, abdomen, chest and heart.
Domestic dogs are more likely to get grass seeds stuck externally in the ears, eyes, paws, mouth and nose from long grass in the backyard or walks in parks and around the neighbourhood.
“Working dogs often present with very severe disease ... because they are exposed to grass seed in different ways,” Dr Combs said.
“We have seen farm dogs with thousands of seeds in their coat and I have seen dogs where those seeds have worked their way directly through the body wall into body cavities.
“The injuries they sustain can prevent them from continuing to work.”
Dr Combs said symptoms to look for included lameness, head shaking and pawing at ears, nasal discharge, sneezing and sore eyes.
Additional signs, particularly in working dogs, can include lethargy, increased effort in breathing, reluctance to jump or back pain, or a pus draining sinus on the limbs, armpit, groin and back.
Late spring or early summer is usually when most cases appear, and Dr Combs said this season could be particularly bad as recent rain would produce longer grass.
But he said some simple checks and grooming techniques could prevent problems in both working and domestic dogs.
“Awareness is a key feature — avoid running your animal through long grass — but grooming is the best preventative strategy.
“Our studies showed that grooming is important, likely because it reduces cross fibres in the coat that hold and pull seed towards the skin.”
Grooming is not the full solution, however, as it does not stop all grass seeds and because inhaled grass seeds are also a feature of disease.
Dr Combs said this had led researchers to consider other strategies such as body suits, booties and head nets.
“Grass seed foreign bodies can be incredibly difficult to find, many diagnostic imaging techniques are ineffective, and seeds move, so where the inflammation is, is often not where the seed is,” he said.
“Finally, we need to refine techniques for seed retrieval and treatment as traditional surgical techniques are invasive, and relatively damaging to tissue, and are poor at finding the seeds.”
