雖然草種子看起來很小又無害，但獸醫慈善機構PDSA警告說，它們可能會對我們的四足朋友造成傷害。

如果您的狗喜歡在長草中跑來跑去，請務必始終檢查它們的草種子

While grass seeds might look small and harmless, vet charity PDSA warns that they can have a big impact on our four-legged friends.

雖然草種子看起來很小又無害，但獸醫慈善機構PDSA警告說，它們可能會對我們的四足朋友產生重大影響。

If your dog likes to run around in long grass, it’s important to always check them for grass seeds afterwards, PDSA advises.

PDSA建議，如果您的狗喜歡在長草中跑來跑去，請務必始終檢查它們的草種子。

You’ll need to remove any that you find and if you find one stuck, or a wound/swelling that looks like it could contain one, you’ll need to take your pooch to the vet.

您需要刪除發現的任何東西，如果發現一個可能包含一個可能包含的傷口/腫脹，則需要將狗狗帶到獸醫上。

If not removed quickly, grass seeds enter the body and start causing problems such as infections and abscesses.

如果沒有迅速去除，草種子進入身體，開始引起感染和膿腫等問題。

Symptoms to look out for

注意的症狀

The most common places that grass seeds cause trouble are in the eyes, between the toes and around the ears but they can find themselves anywhere and work their way under the skin, PDSA warns.

PDSA警告說，草種子造成麻煩的最常見地方是在眼中，腳趾和耳朵周圍，但它們可以在任何地方找到自己並在皮膚下工作。

If your pet is excessively shaking its head, scratching its ear or holding its head to one side, it might have a grass seed in its ear.

如果您的寵物過度搖搖頭，撓耳或將頭抬到一側，則可能在耳朵中有草種子。

Dogs are likely to develop a painful, weepy eye if they have a grass seed stuck in it and they might also sometimes keep their eye almost closed.

如果狗在裡面有草種子，它們可能會產生痛苦，哭泣的眼睛，並且有時也可能會閉上眼睛。

If a dog has a grass seed stuck between their toes, they might excessively lick or nibble their paw. Over time, you might notice saliva staining which is pinkish or brown colour on their fur and swelling. Your dog might also limp or hold their leg up.

如果狗在腳趾之間扎了草種子，它們可能會過分舔或刺爪。隨著時間的流逝，您可能會注意到唾液染色，它們的毛皮和腫脹是粉紅色或棕色的。您的狗也可能li行或抬起腿。

A dog who is sneezing more or producing bloody discharge from its nostrils might have a grass seed stuck up its nose.

一隻狗打噴嚏或從鼻孔產生血腥的狗可能會扎在鼻子上。

A grass seed that gets stuck under the skin and travels around the body is likely to cause symptoms such as a non-healing wound, low energy and a recurrent high temperature.

被困在皮膚下並在體內旅行的草種子可能會引起諸如非癒合傷口，低能量和復發的高溫等症狀。

How can a dog be treated if they have a grass seed stuck somewhere?

如果狗將草種子卡在某個地方，該如何處理？

Using the right equipment, it might be possible for a vet to pull the grass seed out of where it has got stuck.

使用合適的設備，獸醫可能有可能將草種子從卡在的地方拉出。

However, grass seeds that work their way into the skin are harder to find and don’t often show up on X-rays.

但是，在皮膚中發揮作用的草種子很難找到，並且經常出現在X射線上。

They can also start travelling around causing inflammation, infection and abscesses.

他們還可以開始四處旅行，引起炎症，感染和膿腫。

Since grass seeds can cause lots of problems, your vet might suggest investigating further if they suspect one, even if they can’t see or feel one.

由於草種子可能會引起很多問題，因此您的獸醫可能會建議進一步調查他們是否懷疑一個問題，即使他們看不到或感覺到。

If your dog has a grass seed in their eye, they’re likely to need a local anaesthetic, sedation or a general anaesthetic to have it removed. A vet will also check the eye over to see if any additional damage has been caused.

如果您的狗眼中有草種子，則可能需要局部麻醉，鎮靜或全身麻醉劑才能將其除去。獸醫還將檢查眼睛，以查看是否造成了任何額外的傷害。

Using an otoscope, a vet might be able to remove a grass seed from your dog’s ear but if it is deep in the ear or very painful, sedation or a general anaesthetic might be needed.

獸醫使用耳鏡可能能夠從狗的耳朵上去除草種子，但是如果它在耳朵深處或非常痛苦的情況下，鎮靜或一般麻醉可能需要。

If your dog will need treatment for that.

如果您的狗需要治療。

Grass seeds that get between the toes often find their way under the skin and cause an interdigital cyst which is a swelling between the toes.

腳趾之間的草種子通常會在皮膚下找到自己的方式，並導致腳趾之間的腫脹。

If the grass seed is sitting just under the skin, a vet might be able to remove it while your dog is awake.

如果草種子坐在皮膚下方，則獸醫在您的狗醒來時也可以將其取出。

However, it is much more likely that your dog will need to be sedated or put under general anaesthesia to allow the vet to flush out the area and try to find it.

但是，您的狗更有可能被鎮靜或放在全身麻醉下，以使獸醫沖洗掉該區域並嘗試找到它。

If a vet thinks a grass seed is travelling around a dog’s body, they might recommend sending them to a referral veterinary centre for specialist tests like a CT scan and possibly surgery.

如果獸醫認為草種子正在狗的身體周圍旅行，他們可能建議將它們送往轉介獸醫中心進行專業測試，例如CT掃描和可能的手術。

How to prevent a grass seed from getting stuck

如何防止草種子卡住

Nina Downing said: “Prevention is always better than cure. Always check your dog for grass seeds after walks in long grass.

妮娜·唐寧（Nina Downing）說：“預防總是比治愈更好。在長草中散步後，請務必檢查狗的草種子。

“And try to prevent your dog from running around in long grass, sticking to paths instead.”

“並試圖防止您的狗在長草中跑來跑去，而是堅持路徑。”