When spring begins, the risk for our furry ones multiplies to the maximum. With good weather comes the plague of processionary, very poisonous and even lethal for our dogs. We tell you everything you need to know to avoid it and what to do if your pet comes into contact with or eats one of these caterpillars.
What is the processionary caterpillar and how to recognize it
The pine processionary caterpillar is a pest in the pine forests of Spain, very present in the Mediterranean area and a very recurring tree in public parks. Visually they are recognized for being hairy caterpillars They move from their nests high up in the tree and move in single file, hence their name.
What happens if the processionary caterpillars touch our dog?
It is important to watch closely at this time of year that our dog does not pick up things from the ground when walking, because these caterpillars are very poisonous to them. A brush with the processionary in areas with little fur allergic reactions are important. According to experts, they range from irritations, inflammations up to fever, respiratory allergies, conjunctivitis or damage to the mucosa.
What happens if the dog eats a processionary caterpillar?
In the event that our dog sucks or ingests one of these caterpillars, the severity is greater. From the Puchol veterinary hospital they warn of inflammatory damage to the tongue and difficulty breathing. In case of swallowing it “pharyngeal edema and difficulty in the passage of air through the pharynx may develop, due to acute inflammation.” In the most complicated cases may require tongue amputation and even death of the animal.
How to recognize if my dog has eaten a caterpillar and what to do before going to the vet
When a dog touches or ingests a processionary the most typical symptoms are hypersalivation, drooling and vomiting. In that case you have to call the vet and take him to the emergency room.
If you think your dog might have come into contact with a processionary caterpillar, the first step is to remove the dog from the area where the infestation is. later we can clean the remains and hairs of the caterpillar with warm wateravoiding rubbing so that the hairs do not dig into the skin and make the situation worse.
Photos | Jamie Street and Noah Boyer via Unsplash.
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