Dog with suspected grass seed in paw, likely recovery time?

[NorwichMom]

So noticed he was licking his paw a bit yesterday but couldn’t see anything. Today he started limping and had a sizeable lump on the top of his paw.

Took him to the vet, she couldn’t see a grass seed in it. There was a bit of clear pus draining out. So he’s had an anti inflammatory shot, started on oral antibiotics and currently has his paw wrapped up with a poultice on.

we are back at the vet tomorrow. She said if no better he might need a “procedure “ to try and find the grass seed. I’m assuming under GA and dig about?

if he doesn’t need the procedure any idea how long he will have a red lump/be limping/need a poultice on for? He’s entered in a show on Sunday and just trying to think if there’s any chance he might make it?

Honestly I’ve had dogs for over 40 years (inc as a child) and never had an incident before. Have lived rurally surrounded by arable fields all that time. We don’t have any decent woods in a 20 mile radius sadly or I’d be going to woods too from now on. It’s all fields or village pavements and even the pavements are covered in grass seeds.

Councils don't use weed killer on the pavements any more, or if they do, it is once a year rather than twice, and they use something more eco friendly which doesn't work! My vet told me that one of her customers claimed that the council is in cahoots with the vets!!

Sorry you don't have anywhere non grassy to walk. I guess be super vigilant is all you can do. Good luck

Sorry I just saw your update. Our previous boy had to be sedated and they didn't find anything and he never had any problems but who knows what happened. You are doing the best you can x

Not going to believe it other dog has a lump now. I have soaked in salt water and squeezed. I didn’t see anything come out but then as I gave up and went to wash hands a grass seed was on my finger. Not sure if it came out the hole or was just in fur

I’ve decided our garden is the issue. Dh hasn’t cut grass for ages as it’s not growing in the main due to no rain. But tall bits have been sprouting and I think it’s them. Have just cut it all and then soaked with hosepipe

Those evil bastards are everywhere in our garden in France. This summer has been one long nightmare of trying to eradicate that grass, trying to pick up every one of a million seeds and trying to stop DDog from going out and rolling in the places where the grass was (as apparently those scratchy stems are just wonderful to roll on!). We check his paws and in his ears every morning and night and he still got one in his ear. Our amazing vet got it out with forceps thank goodness.

Hope that your little man feels much better soon and that if there is a seed in there it’s found and dealt with as quickly as possible.

They found it.

Good grief! Your poor wee dog! Best of luck for a speedy recovery. Im glad they found it!

This is a new fear unlocked!

@NorwichMom I'm so pleased they found it. Like you, I’ve had dogs all my life and it wasn’t until last year that a grass seed caused a problem. It had managed to get in between her toes and then caused a huge abscess above her foot. My girl had to have a GA as well and luckily they found the seed, but it was a pain in the backside while she healed. After the bandage came off, I used baby socks taped on with micropore tape to discourage her from licking it.

This was after a long dry spell and obviously we’ve got the same issue this year so the seeds are all hard and so bloody sharp that they work their way in easily and once they’re in, the buggers can’t get back out so often travel.

Your boy is an absolute sweetie and I have such a soft spot for NTs. They were top of my wish list when choosing my current dog but good breeders are so hard to find and litters so small that I didn’t get one in the end.

Hope he heals quickly x

Hope he gets well soon. Our 2 year old Springador had a lump come up on her side by her ribs in January.

Paid for a biopsy which came back that she had dangerous bacteria in there and given antibiotics. It went down- we sighed a big sigh of relief. Within 2 weeks it was bigger than ever! Back to the vet and they decided to operate.

Found 2 tiny grass seeds with tracks all the way down through the hair follicle which was causing the swelling.

Owned spaniels for 16 years and never heard of it before! Extra careful now when we’ve been out in long grass.

So glad they found it.

I picked 6 off my dog this morning. They are a complete nightmare!!

@mummytomumtobro wow, that’s scary!

Total bill was over £500. I’ve paid the £200 excess so just hoping the insurance agrees to pay the rest!

He’s got his dressing off overnight and was licking his paw like crazy so I’ve put his inflatable collar on. But I’m meant to be going to work today and am worried about leaving him even in the puppy pen with something round his neck

My dog was out of action for at least a couple of weeks when he had a grass seed removed . He had to wear the “cone of shame “ as he wouldn’t leave his paw alone .
Hope he recovers soon , poor lad !

Oh he can still reach is paw even with the collar on! 🙈. Going to have to get a traditional cone I think.

Get him some tiger toe socks. You can get them from amazon.

These look ideal, thank you.

We had similar recently. We have a GBGV so a very hairy breed. Almost identical with the licking, limping and lump. Then while at vets waiting for investigation the lump exploded. They looked further and washed/cleaned under sedation but didn’t find anything, thought it had come out when lump
blew. A miserable week for the whole house in a cone, still not healing at all, had to take her for an ultrasound and more sedation; they found it but it broke into several pieces but so far so good thankfully. Thankfully bar the £100 excess insurance have stepped up so far.

Oh no, do they think they got all the pieces out?

Thank goodness, good to hear.

The best boots for my guys are the Non stop dog wear protector boots.
link here

You measure your dog so get a good fit make sure you measure front and back feet. Pop one boot on when you give your dog his dinner over time builld up to wearing all boots.

They will eat their first meal standing on three feet but soon get very used to wearing them.

The Non stop boots are pretty easy for the dog to get used to and will stop all grass seeds.