Like many dogs, our Working Cocker Spaniel, Pip, loves exploring long grass.

Unfortunately, that’s exactly where he picked up something that almost certainly caused one of the most worrying veterinary episodes we’ve experienced.

A few days ago, Pip suddenly became lame. At first, we suspected he’d strained something while running, but when the lameness worsened, it became clear something more serious was going on.

Our vet suspected a grass seed.

He underwent surgery to search for a foreign body, but nothing could be found. Because he was still in pain, a CT scan was arranged, and it finally revealed the culprit—a foxtail grass seed that had migrated into his paw.

Thankfully, it was successfully removed, and Pip is now expected to make a full recovery.

Why Are Grass Seeds So Dangerous?

Grass seeds may look harmless, but they can pose a significant risk to dogs, particularly during the summer months.

Foxtail grass seeds are designed by nature to travel in one direction. Tiny barbs along the seed allow them to move forwards through soil—or, unfortunately, through animal tissue.

Once they become embedded, they rarely work their way back out.

Instead, they can continue migrating deeper into the body, causing pain, inflammation and infection. In some cases, surgery is needed to locate and remove them before they cause more serious complications.

Grass seeds commonly become lodged in:

• Between the toes and foot pads
• Inside the ears
• Around or behind the eyes
• Inside the nose
• Within long coats where they can gradually work into the skin

What Should You Look Out For?

The symptoms often appear very suddenly after a walk.

Watch out for signs such as:

• Sudden limping
• Constant licking or chewing at a paw
• Persistent head shaking or scratching at an ear
• Excessive sneezing
• Swelling, redness or obvious discomfort

If you notice any of these signs, particularly after walking through long grass, it’s worth contacting your vet promptly. The sooner a grass seed is found, the easier it is to remove before it migrates further.

A Quick Check Can Prevent a Big Problem

At this time of year, it’s well worth spending a minute checking your dog after every walk.

Take a look:

• 🐾 Between the toes and pads
• 👂 Inside the ears
• 👁️ Around the eyes
• 🌾 Through the coat for any grass seeds caught in the fur

Where possible, try to stick to well-mown paths and avoid walking through long grass with mature seed heads.

A Happy Ending

We’re incredibly grateful to the veterinary team who persevered until they found the cause of Pip’s lameness. Without the CT scan, the grass seed may have continued migrating and caused much more serious problems.

Thankfully, he’s now on the road to recovery and should soon be back doing what he loves most.

If sharing Pip’s story encourages just one owner to check their dog’s paws after a walk—or prompts someone to seek veterinary advice a little sooner—then it’s well worth telling.

Stay safe, enjoy the summer, and don’t underestimate those tiny grass seeds.