Grass Seeds / Springer Spaniel

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jelibean

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Just had my springer to the vets twice this week with a suspected grass seed gone in inbetween her toes, and migrating up her leg, its really nnoying because we didnt realise it was there and were quite good at brushing her and checking for them but this one obviously got past us. Does anyone have any tips for avoiding this in a working dog, poor poochy is now on rest and is itching to get back out. Vet wants to operate but im hoping it will have come out before her next check up on wednesday.
 
I have a Springer and this can be a problem cos they have long fur between thier toes. I keep my Jerry Springer clipped and the lady that does him clips all the fur out from between the toes and pads therefore seeds etc cant get lodged as easily, it may be worth a try.
 
Sorry, I've not got any tips for avoiding the dreaded grass seeds - but just to back up the part about being vigilant about them when checking after a day in the field. I had a client who presented me with a lovely working type cocker for grooming. He had this huge matted ear so I explained that it needed to be shaved to remove the matts. When I was working away, it became apparent that the ear was really sore - and as i clipped behind the ear, I could see a black bit. Eventually and carefully the matting came away with the clipper and it also uncovered this black hole the size of a 5p. I found nestled in the midst of it all a grass seed lodged in there. This must have been there for some time as the ear and seed were covered under about 1/2 inch thick matting.


I often time find them in dog's toes and they just look soooo sore. Poor doglets.
 
Clip the hair between the toes as this makes it easier to find them and also check all over every time you take the dog out.

It takes a while but better that than a huge vets bill...

We've 7 working dogs and train them for a living so I spend around 2 hrs at the end of each day checking the toes, pads, ears, knickers etc etc...
 
I have 2 springers, they don't work but still have the grass seed problem. I keep their paws trimmed really short and after each walk I check all 8 paws and have found that a pair of eyebrow tweezers works really well for pulling part lodged seeds out. If I suspect 1 has gone in too far to pull I soak the paw in warm salt water, similar to old fashioned hot tubbing for a horse, which seems to help soften the area and then you can pop the seed back out.
 
Thankyou very much, thats really helpful. We do keep our bitch clipped all year around as she LOVES swimming especially in the muddiest of ponds and bogs then trails it all in the house and blathers the kids, so we keep her short and either hose her off or throw her in the shower after shes been out. Shes not so good for her feet trimming which is why the lady who clips her doesnt do them but i'll try and do it myself in future see if i can get her used to it.
 
Ohmigod! Poor doglet, the owner must have felt terrible!

*runs away to check dog over again*

I am finding quite a few in Henry's coat at the moment but touch wood he hasn't had any stuck in him yet
crazy.gif
 
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