Harper seemed unlike herself as temperatures reached 34C on Friday, 26 June. Her family initially blamed the heat, but the 18-month-old cocker spaniel deteriorated over the weekend and died after two visits to a veterinary practice.
At the first visit, Harper received an anti-sickness injection and was sent home. Her family returned the following day, when veterinarians diagnosed pyometra, an infection of the uterus. Harper died by that evening.
A post-mortem examination found that Harper died from pyothorax, a severe chest infection that led to sepsis. Its report said a foreign object such as a grass seed may have caused the condition, but it did not establish that a grass seed was definitively responsible.
Harper’s owner, Martine Miller, said the family lives near fields and had been avoiding pavement walks during the hot weather. She said the family repeatedly asked whether a grass seed might be involved and whether that possibility could be investigated.
Miller also acknowledged the difficulty of reaching a diagnosis. We appreciate veterinary medicine can be complex and that not every situation is straightforward. We trusted the vets to guide us and make the best decisions for Harper, she said.
How grass seeds can harm dogs
Grass seeds can brush from long grass into a dog’s coat. Their sharp ends can pierce the skin, while their shape and backward-pointing barbs can allow them to move through tissue rather than work their way back out.
A 2023 systematic review of migrating grass awns found that they can enter multiple tissues and body cavities. Their movement can trigger inflammation, introduce bacteria and cause signs that vary according to where the seed has lodged.
The paws, ears, eyes and nose are among the areas where seeds can become trapped. Blue Cross guidance says all dogs can be affected, although problems are more common in dogs with long hair around their feet or ears and in those that run through long grass.
Location determines what an owner might notice. Head shaking can point to an ear problem, while repeated paw licking, discomfort or limping can accompany a seed between the toes. Eye watering, excessive blinking or rubbing may warrant examination, as can repeated sneezing or nasal discharge after exposure to long grass.
Breathing changes require particular attention. Veterinary guidance on pyothorax in dogs lists rapid, shallow or open-mouthed breathing, decreased appetite, fever and general illness among possible signs. Some affected dogs can worsen rapidly.
Pyothorax is an accumulation of infected inflammatory fluid in the space between the lungs and chest wall. Potential causes include chest injuries, infection spreading from the lungs and foreign objects that have been inhaled or entered elsewhere. The underlying cause is not always identified.
Veterinarians may use an examination, chest X-rays, ultrasound and laboratory testing when pyothorax is suspected. A grass seed can also be difficult to locate: the systematic review found that ultrasound may reveal the seed or the inflammation associated with its movement, but advanced imaging can be needed in less accessible locations.
What to check after a walk
After time in long grass, inspect the coat and run your hands over the dog’s body. Look closely around and between the toes, around the paw pads, inside the visible outer ear area, and around the eyes and nose. Seeds sitting loose in the fur can be removed before they pierce the skin.
Do not try to retrieve a seed that has begun burrowing into the skin or appears to be in an eye or ear. Blue Cross advises contacting a veterinarian as soon as possible in those circumstances because removal can be painful and the object may be difficult to find.
Sudden breathing difficulty, increased breathing effort or open-mouthed breathing calls for urgent veterinary assessment. Unexplained lethargy, loss of appetite, persistent coughing, limping, repeated sneezing, head shaking or continued attention to one paw should also prompt a call to a veterinarian, particularly following a grassy walk.
The aim is vigilance, not avoiding walks altogether. Please don’t panic or stop enjoying walks, but do be aware. After walks, especially through long grass, check your dog’s paws, ears, eyes, nose and coat, Miller said.
Harper’s family described her as their baby and shadow, and as a playful, affectionate dog who brought love and laughter to their home. Miller hopes sharing what happened will help another family recognize a potential risk sooner.
What would you do if your dog were in this situation? Share your thoughts in the comments.
By Sarah Mitchell — 8 years as a local-news reporter covering animal welfare, shelters, neighborhood disputes, and public-safety pet stories.
