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[Olivecrusher]

pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni)at this time of year in cyprus and other mediteranean countries this catapillar can be found hanging in nests in Pine trees please beware this catapillar is extreemly dangerous to cats and dogs and contact will most definatly cause severe damage to your pet such as stomatitis, glossitis, pharyngitis developing over 2-3 days;
• ulceration, progressing to necrosis of the tongue;
• elongated mucosal erosions in the mouth;
• oedema of the lips and oropharytix, hypersalivation.
Only the larvae at stages 3-5 are involved. Adverse effects occur due to the histamine-releasing proteins (thaumetopoein in the case of the pine processionary moth) and other allergenic compounds. Thaumetopoein is contained in the hairs which act as fine needles through which the toxic compounds are injected.
Toxic doses not known.
No antidote. Symptomatic care only.
• locally applied (topical) and general antihistamines;
• oral antibiotics (spiramycin) for the mouth and surrounding areas;
• local disinfection nd topical anaesthesia;
• where the tongue is involved, injection in situ of the calcium heparinate to limit the extent of the necrosis (due to infarcts).
i have lots more info on this subject if anyone is interested as i have learned the hard way with my dog who is now recovering slowly after a most painfull experiance and 4 nights in hospital on a drip and lots of injections (KEEP YOUR PETS AWAY FROM THESE MONSTERS AT ALL COSTS) for any further info please contact me by e-mail at [email protected] p.s. i had a lot of info and help from Israel School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

[Amber]

Hi, Was very interested to read your mail and I think that it is very good of you to warn pet owners.

3 times I have rushed to the vet in the last 2 weeks with one of my dogs that had a bad allergic reaction to something. His tongue has been affected, the vet said the body started to attack itself, starting with tongue and lungs as these were the places that are full of blood vessel. Is this what you mean? The last reaction actually happened at the vets while I was there for a rountine checkup, his hair (my dogs not the vet) started coming out in patches reveiling very inflamed sore red skin, he was given cortesone and put on a drip for a few hours. I was so scared, but luckily his is ok. I am still not sure whether it is from caterpillars (have lots in my garden) or something else, or a combination of things, but from reading your message it is most probably the caterpillars.

I will be printing out your message, and putting it on my notice board (I run boarding kennels) and will also show my vet as I am sure he will be very interested.

Again, thanks for taking the time to warm other pet owners, hope your dog is well on his way to recovery.

[Olivecrusher]

Hairy caterpillars)

These are mainly Thaumetopoea pityocampa schif. pine processionary moth, Thaumetopoea processionea 1. oak processionary moth, Euproctis chrysorrhoea brown-tail moth, Euproctis similis yellow-tail moth, gold-tail moth.

Animals most affected
Dogs, horses, pigs, (all animals).

Etiology
The caterpillars infest pastures and fields. Animals may be affected by:
• ingestion of the caterpillars as pupae or their irritant hairs (herbivores, dogs);
• contact with the poisonous hairs whilst playing with the suspended nests which hang under trees (puppies);
• inhalation of the small hairs carried on the wind;
• contact with underground nests (foraging pigs).

Incidences occur predominantly in spring (March-3une), when the caterpillars leave their communal nests to feed.

Toxicity
Only the larvae at stages 3-5 are involved. Adverse effects occur due to the histamine-releasing proteins (thaumetopoein in the case of the pine processionary moth) and other allergenic compounds. Thaumetopoein is contained in the hairs which act as fine needles through which the toxic compounds are injected.
Toxic doses not known.


Clinical features and lesions
Occur mainly in the buccal and perioral areas:
• stomatitis, glossitis, pharyngitis developing over 2-3 days;
• ulceration, progressing to necrosis of the tongue;
• elongated mucosal erosions in the mouth;
• oedema of the lips and oropharytix, hypersalivation.

Occasional general reactions may develop:
• anaphylactic shock;
• hyperthermia.

Following inhalation:
• congestive rhinitis;
• cough, bronchitis.

Local dermal reactions:
• pronounced erythema in the form of acute eczema.

The following have also been observed:
• in poultry: an acute, possibly severe enteritis, occurring particularly if the caterpillar has been ingested;
• in horses: enlongated mucosal erosions in the mouth, colic, nervousness and agitation, progressing to agression, followed by a pronunced pruritus along the dorsum.

Treatment
No antidote. Symptomatic care only.
• locally applied (topical) and general antihistamines;
• oral antibiotics (spiramycin) for the mouth and surrounding areas;
• local disinfection nd topical anaesthesia;
• where the tongue is involved, injection in situ of the calcium heparinate to limit the extent of the necrosis (due to infarcts).


Treatment should include:
Fluids- LRS 50-100 ml/kg /day
Antibiotics
Pain control morphine 0.5 mg/kg every 6hrs, local esarcaine/lidocaine gel and local wash with water
Tranquilizer- acepromazine every 8-12 hrs
Gastric protectants- rinetidine/cimetidine
Feeding by or gastric tube under general anesthesia if the dog does not eat for more then 3 days and in severe cases esophgostomy should be considered.
Don’t put him to sleep even if it looks very bad
Surgical intervention is not recommended