Here is advice from a veterinarian to protect your animal during walks in the forest, but also in your garden. An herb that is found everywhere, all year round, and particularly in spring and summer.
Wasp stings, ticks, parasites… Summer is the season of all dangers for dogs. Fond of walks in the forest and rolling in the fields, our four-legged friends are exposed to many small inconveniences which can have an impact on their health. Sometimes, it’s even nature and dry grass that can pose a real danger. Vigilance is therefore essential and increased monitoring is essential from spring, and this also happens in the garden.
In an interview given to our colleagues from Var Matin, Doctor Laurence Vieville, veterinarian in Fréjus, provides valuable advice to protect dogs from these threats. Cats and long-haired animals are particularly affected by this dry grass present throughout France, particularly in tall grass, meadows and fields, or even agricultural land.
Do you know what a spikelet is? These are dry ears of wild grasses. They can enter the dog’s body through the eyes, ears, nose, or even directly through the skin. They can be very painful when they go up to the eardrum, the cornea, the back of the nose. In some rare cases, the spikelets can even find their way to the animal’s bronchi. Moreover, long-haired dogs are even more vulnerable than others since the spikelets tend to cling to them more easily.
So how can we protect our animal from spikelets? We must realize that this dry grass is not only found in the forest! The first thing to do is to take care of your garden! In fact, to reduce the risk, Dr. Vieville recommends clearing the garden well and carefully collecting the spikelets after cutting them.
Also learn to spot the symptoms and signs of the presence of a spikelet. Be alert if your dog sneezes repeatedly or tilts his head to the side. He may also try to scratch his ear with his paw, but also lick his genitals intensely. Other signs of the presence of a spikelet? Your dog is limping, or you notice that his pads are red or swollen, that his skin seems oozing with a small hole at the entrance. If in doubt, do not hesitate to consult your veterinarian.