CHRIS PACKHAM’S SUMMER WARNING TO DOG OWNERS OF DANGER THAT ‘COULD LEAD TO BLINDNESS’

Chris Packham has issued a warning to dog owners about the hidden dangers of grass seeds, after his poodle Nancy needed emergency vet care twice.

The TV presenter and wildlife photographer revealed that Nancy developed serious eye issues caused by grass seeds, one of which became lodged behind her eyelid, according to the BBC.

Packham said he first noticed Nancy’s eye was watering and showing signs similar to conjunctivitis. “Her eye was inflamed and clearly sore,” he said. “She was becoming increasingly distressed.”

On both occasions, specialist vet Mirka Palenikova successfully removed the grass seed, bringing Nancy relief.

“I could see there was quite a lot of discharge coming out from the eye and she was in pain, so we had to apply topical anaesthetic into her eye to be able to examine her,” she said.

The vet emphasized how crucial it is for dog owners to monitor their pets closely for early signs of conjunctivitis.

She also urged owners to routinely check their dog’s eyes, ears, paws, and fur for grass seeds after every walk, warning that if left untreated, these seeds can cause serious complications—including blindness.

“I’d recommend avoiding walks in areas with visible grass seeds or meadows with long grass,” she advised.

To help prevent future issues, Nancy has been fitted with a pair of special ‘doggie goggles,’ which she now wears on walks through long grass to protect her eyes from stray seeds.

“When I heard about them, I was very sceptical and thought this is ridiculous,” Chris said of the goggles – reminiscent of driving sunglasses.

“Although I thought it was an absurd idea, ultimately I’d rather have a dog with two perfectly functional eyes than a dog that had lost one of them because of my prejudice.”

And with the black goggles seamlessly blending into Nancy’s dark coat, safety has never looked so cool.