Cat/Dog owners - beware poisonous caterpillars

ozankoys


Joined: 20/06/2008
Posts: 905

Message Posted:
12/04/2009 12:45

Just been to the vet with a friend apparently his dog has eaten poisonous caterpillars that are around this time of year. Symptons are swollen tongue, foaming/dribbling & red marks on skin (this is the dog not my friend). Immediate vet's treatment is needed as if the throat also swells it could be fatal.

Plank


Joined: 09/04/2009
Posts: 8

Message Posted:
12/04/2009 15:07

Did the vet say what kind of caterpillar? We've seen loads of big furry looking things which we imagine the spiky fur would be an irritant.

scruff


Joined: 15/07/2008
Posts: 1070

Message Posted:
12/04/2009 15:46

pine processionary caterpillar is the one.



http://web.cortland.edu/fitzgerald/PineProcessionary.html



The nests are in the pine trees. We live in an area with lots of pine trees, Have an 8 year old cat & have never had in problems in 7 years though.



I'm not aware that neighbours with both dogs & cats have either. I'm not discounting the risk though, just reporting our experience.



This will only be a problem if you have pine trees nearby.

ozankoys


Joined: 20/06/2008
Posts: 905

Message Posted:
13/04/2009 08:20

Hi thanks for very useful info, my friend does walk his dog around pine trees but has never had a problem before.

deecyprus4


Joined: 27/07/2008
Posts: 3452

Message Posted:
13/04/2009 08:24

Scary looking things, make me go all shivery

Storm



Joined: 03/03/2009
Posts: 240

Message Posted:
13/04/2009 11:36

Can give nasty skin irritation to humans too - yuk!

joandjelly


Joined: 24/02/2008
Posts: 2953

Message Posted:
13/04/2009 19:13

Just to make everyone aware we also have lots of these caterpillars in Karsiyaka too but they are in nests on the ground. You can normally spot them by the big kind of web they are covered in. We do have pine trees in the area but these nests are in the fields near the sea and quite a way away from the trees.