In Australia, spring has sprung, and this means… Grass seed season.

What is a grass seed? A ‘Grass seed’ or ‘Foxtail’ is a weed that grows rampant at the end of winter and starts to dry in the warmer weather. It will then release its dry seeds to populate more areas.

This seed has been designed to spread throughout your garden, it has a point at the beginning, perfect for penetration, and a brushed end, making it hard to remove.

This unfortunately means it easily gets stuck in fur and can penetrate the skin; worse still, it can enter the ears, eyes, mouth, nipples, or genitals. A pet that shakes its head will be examined by a veterinarian for the presence of grass seeds.

Once it penetrates the skin, the seed’s shape allows it to move around the body, causing even more problems.

Dogs and cats should be checked regularly for the presence of seeds. If any of these weeds are on your property, daily checks could prevent a vet visit.

How do I know if I have a grass seed that has penetrated?

If on the surface of the skin, a granulated wound may be present with the seed still showing. If penetrated or naturally removed, a hole will be present. If evidence of a hard ‘trail’ under the skin, this needs to be seen ASAP to find the location of the seed, this may require exploratory surgery. If no ‘trail’, veterinary attention is still required, as antibiotics may be needed.

What do I do if I find a grass seed in the skin?

If a cat is found to have grass seeds embedded in the skin, do not clip the cat unless advised by a veterinarian, as clipping the ends of these seeds while embedded can cause them to be lost under the skin and, in turn, lead to infection and the need for exploratory surgery to retrieve them.

You may like to remove the grass seed if it is sticking out enough, put it in a bag to show the vet how much is removed, and seek veterinary attention. An abscess can still form.

So, get out there and remove these weeds! Prevent a possible abscess or surgery.

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