A dog suffering from a life-threatening infection and severe spinal pain, both thought to be caused by a grass seed under his skin, is back on his feet following urgent treatment thanks to our team at Kentdale.
The three-year-old Labrador Spud’s health had taken a turn for the worse following a day’s work, which quickly led to a fever, lethargy and difficulty getting up and moving about.
Spud’s rapidly deteriorating spinal condition is thought to have been caused by a grass seed that had burrowed into his body, while it also caused fluid to build around his lung.
Grass seeds can cause life-threatening infections within the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. They can also migrate to the spine, causing severe pain and debilitation.
Spud’s urgent medical attention included a wide-bore chest drain which was placed in the right side of the thorax to allow drainage and washing out of the chest.
After this, Spud started to improve and was continued on medication before being discharged just a couple of days later.
Graham Hayes, Specialist in Small Animal Surgery here at Kentdale Referrals, carried out a procedure to clear Spud’s chest from the pus.
Sharon Murtagh, Hospital Director said: “It is possible that if a grass seed did cause all this, that it has disintegrated and come out with all the infected fluid in the abscess.
“The good news is Spud made a full recovery just four weeks later. It does, however, act as a reminder for dog owners to act fast if they suspect their pet has a grass seed. The sooner it can be dealt with the better, ideally before the seed has been able to move around the body.”
Signs to look out for include head shaking, sneezing, coughing, sore eyes, swelling in the neck and mouth and foot licking.
