Dog friends, you have to be very alert with processionary caterpillars, especially in parks with pine trees. The ‘Thaumetopoea pityocampa’, more commonly known as the processionary caterpillar due to its distinctive way of moving in rows, poses a significant risk to our furry darlings. These caterpillars make their nests in the tops of pine trees, and as spring approaches, the larvae descend in procession, constituting a threat to our loyal friends. Despite their seemingly harmless appearance, it is crucial to note that these creatures are extremely dangerous…
The danger of processionary caterpillars lies in the stinging spines that cover them, which contain a toxin called ‘thaumatopine’. Contact of our furry dogs with these thorns can trigger everything from inflammatory and ocular reactions to serious digestive and respiratory problems. Therefore, it is very important not to lose sight of them when we take them to areas with pine trees.
Tommaso Piermarini, Veterinary Director of TomVets, highlights the seriousness of these encounters.
That is why it reminds us of the importance of acting quickly at any sign of contact with these caterpillars, without waiting for the symptoms to progress. From TomVets, they provide us with guidelines to know what we should do in case, hopefully not, our furry friend comes into contact with one of them…
Piermarini tells us a shocking case in which a small puppy arrived with breathing problems, swelling in the face and tongue after coming into contact with a processionary caterpillar in a park. However, thanks to the quick response of his human family, they managed to control and stabilize the adorable furry child, highlighting the importance of rapid intervention in emergency situations.
Caution, friends! Let’s take care of our furry ones.
