Cat Has a Blade of Grass Stuck in Its Nose? (How to Help)

Cat Has a blade of grass in its nose? This may sound funny at first, but it is a serious and dangerous condition.

Often, endoscopic removal under anesthesia at the veterinarian’s office is necessary to minimize the damage caused by the foreign body.

To keep the risk of such a case as low as possible and to recognize the condition as soon as possible, you will get all the necessary information in this guide.

In this article you will learn how to recognize a blade of grass in the nose of the cat, when it must be removed by the vet and what costs are associated with it. In addition, we give you tips for prevention.

Cat has blade of grass in the nose: the cause

If your cat suddenly snorts out a blade of grass or the tip of it sticks out of his nose, you’re probably asking yourself a question:

How did the blade of grass get into your cat’s nose?

As a rule, your cat has not inhaled the blade, but has eaten it. If the blade was bent, too long or has barbs like pampas grass, it can get stuck.

It gets stuck in the throat area. Swallowing, eating and other movements can cause the tip to work its way up and enter the nose through sneezing and gagging.

The foreign body then restricts not only the esophagus but also the airway.
Stalk of grass in the cat’s nose – how to recognize it

If the tip of the blade is already visible in one nostril, recognition is naturally easy.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case or often only very late.

However, there are other symptoms that should prompt a closer examination. These are:

frequent sneezing
nasal discharge
gagging
loss of appetite
increased salivation

Your cat may also try to get rid of the foreign body by shaking it or repeatedly brushes a paw along the side of its mouth and nose.

Also possible are breathing noises or an unpleasant smell from the nose and mouth.

These signs are always a warning sign and should lead you to the vet immediately.

Sometimes the blade of grass or other foreign body is so far in the back of the throat or in the nose that only an endoscopic examination can provide information.
Dangers of a blade of grass in the cat’s nose

Some grasses have razor-sharp edges and can therefore slice open the esophagus or trachea.

Hard points can cause the blade of grass to bore through tissue and become stuck or migrate.

Barbs have a similar effect. The blade can move upward through them and “migrate” until it works its way out of the nose, for example.

In either case, however, there is at least considerable irritation that can lead to inflammation.

Injuries, bleeding and invading germs are associated with this.

In addition, breathing and esophagus may be restricted and internal injuries may occur.

Initially, the organism is considerably weakened by this for no apparent reason.

Examination and removal of a blade of grass from the cat’s nose

As harmless as a blade of grass may seem, if you have ever cut your finger with grasses, you know how high the danger inside the body can be.

Therefore, quick action is required.

Cat: blade of grass in the nose and necessary treatment

If a foreign body is suspected or even partially visible in the nose or throat, your cat must be put under anesthesia.

This is the only way to allow the insertion of an endoscope.

This is a device, rigid or housed in a tube, that allows the examination of cavities and the inside of the body.

Through mirrors or a camera as well as light sources, a foreign body can be found and carefully removed.

In addition, it becomes possible to assess pre-existing injuries and infections. This is important for further treatment.

In the case of a blade of grass, a great deal of tact and a cautious approach are required.

If the blade tears off or breaks through, removal becomes much more complicated and costly. In addition, further injuries to the sensitive tissue may occur.

This also determines the further treatment.

Cost of removal and therapy

Depending on the depth at which the blade of grass sits, what type of grass it is, and the difficulty of removal and subsequent therapy, costs can vary widely.

They consist of:

Anesthesia
consumables
necessary examinations beforehand
duration of the procedure
necessary medication

If it is a holiday, an emergency or a particularly difficult procedure, the veterinarian can double or triple a portion of the cost.

For this reason, there is no blanket answer as to how much the bill will be. However, you should expect to pay between 80 and 300 dollars.

If a medical treatment follows, because an inflammation already exists or your cat must be admitted as an inpatient and remain under observation, higher costs arise.

It is therefore better to prevent such a situation in advance and thus avoid injuries, inflammations and thus necessary therapies.

How can a blade of grass in the cat’s nose be prevented?

Cats are curious animals by nature. They often put themselves in situations that are dangerous and take unnecessary risks.

This includes picking up unsuitable grasses. Whether they find them while outdoors, on the balcony, or in a bouquet of flowers, the stalks are tempting to them.

Rigid, hard and sharp-edged grasses should therefore be kept away from your pussycat.

Instead, provide cat grass that is not contaminated by pesticides, exhaust fumes, or the droppings of other animals.

This way, your cat can eat grass without exposing himself to health risks.

Also, teach your pet that throat and nose exams are normal and do not cause discomfort or anxiety.

With a calm approach, patience and lots of petting, almost any cat will do well.

This will allow you to perform daily checks and detect problems early.
A blade of grass in the cat’s nose – a serious danger

Prompt detection and removal of the stalk can prevent or minimize potential damage and subsequent infections.

However, it is better to remove dangerous grasses from the cat’s environment to prevent ingestion and lodging.