August 06, 2025
Vets are warning dog owners to stay vigilant this summer after a sharp grass seed was discovered lodged in a Cocker Spaniel’s lung, proving almost fatal.
The two-year-old Cocker Spaniel Millie was playing outdoors when she accidentally inhaled the sharp grass seed, triggering a cough. After initial checks, Millie was referred to Taverham Vets, where our experts located and successfully removed the barbed awn, ultimately saving her life.
Following the incident, Millie developed a persistent hacking cough. Her owners, Chris and Ed from Norwich, weren’t aware that grass seeds could pose such a risk to dogs.
“We have a big garden Millie plays in and, as we’re on a farm, we also walk her and our other dogs in the fields,” said Chris.
“We didn’t dream there could be anything that could cause a problem, but she developed a cough that seemed worse in the mornings.
“There was some phlegm, and she was also a bit breathless, so we thought we really should get it seen to and took her to our local vets.”
After being seen by a local vet, Millie started on a course of medication, but when the cough persisted, Chris decided to take her to Taverham Vets for further investigation.
At Taverham Veterinary Hospital, part of IVC Evidensia Referrals, the team performed a CT scan and an endoscopy to help locate and remove the offending grass awn.
Scans of Millie’s head, neck and chest revealed a foreign object stuck in her lung.
During the procedure, a large amount of pus was also discovered and suctioned out following removal of the grass seed.
Millie was sent home on antibiotics and has since made a quick recovery.
“When we first took Millie in, we didn’t realise the enormity of the situation and we’re so grateful to everyone at Taverham,” said Ed.
“We were very fortunate they found the grass awn. It could have been even more serious if it wasn’t spotted and removed, which took quite some effort.
“The cough subsided a couple of days after we got her home and she’s back to being a happy little soul. We’ll definitely be extra careful in the future.”
Grass seeds and barbed awns can pose a serious health risk to dogs during summer months, particularly when walking through long grass.
Commonly, grass seeds can become embedded in a dog’s ears, paws or nose, causing infections or abscesses. If inhaled, they can be difficult to find and have the potential to cause severe respiratory problems.
Holly McKinley, Deputy Regional Veterinary Director at IVC Evidensia stresses that grass seed cases in dogs require professional veterinary care to ensure safe and proper removal.
She adds: “You should contact your vet if you think your dog may have a problem with grass awns.”
Discover more referral cases from IVC Evidensia: