Carlos, a clinical veterinarian, explains how the Pine Processionary caterpillar harms dogs and people. He shows how to recognize it, what symptoms appear after contact, and how to protect your dog during walks in parks and at home.
The caterpillar is not carnivorous and will not eat your dog, but it is covered in stinging hairs that can cause injuries when your dog licks them or comes into contact with them. When you see a butterfly in the spring, the first thing that probably comes to mind is how pretty it is. What you may not know is that the larval stages of the butterfly develop into caterpillars, and some of them can be dangerous for your pet. Today we are talking about the Pine Procession moth, which is a nocturnal moth when it is an adult. But when it is young, it spends a lot of time in the crowns of these trees, feeding on their leaves, which in the case of pines, are called needles. At the end of winter, they fall to the ground to look for a new place to transform into butterflies. This is when you have to be especially careful. Hello, I'm Carlos, a clinical veterinarian at Small Animals. Welcome to the Happy Pets and Families Channel. Sure, when you think of a butterfly, you think of a beautiful insect fluttering around you on a spring afternoon when you. But the Processionary caterpillar is none of these things. Specifically, it is an ugly nocturnal butterfly that comes out in the summer, which most people mistake for a moth. And its caterpillar is very dangerous for your dog. A gem, let's say the Pine Processionary, whose scientific name is. Well, I'll put it down below, because I don't like this Latin at all. It is called this because when it is looking for a place to become a butterfly, it forms long lines that you have surely seen in the parks and gardens of your city. The caterpillar is not carnivorous or will eat your dog, but it is covered in stinging hairs that when your dog licks them or comes into contact with them, it can cause injuries. Don't worry, I'll tell you which ones. In addition, these hairs can also be dangerous for people. On windy days like this, they can fly off the caterpillar and cause dermatitis, some respiratory problems, and even allergies. So be careful, okay? Well, the caterpillar is happily walking around the park. But why is it approaching your dog? Because it catches their attention. Just think about how curious your little one is. Imagine seeing a long line of things moving with an almost hypnotic rhythm. It's normal for them to want to get closer, sniff them, and even try to play with them. It's at this point that the caterpillar's stinging hairs get stuck in the area where they've come into contact with them. And that's where the problem starts. What will you Notice in your dog if they've come into contact with the caterpillar. If they've licked it, they'll usually start salivating a lot and you'll notice that their mouth hurts. If they've touched it with their paws, they might try to lick their paws with their tongue. The biggest problem can always be in the mouth, because when he licks his paws, for example, he will pick up all the stinging hairs with his tongue and they will also get stuck in his own tongue. And that is where you have to take action. The problem with all this is that the toxic substance impregnated in the hairs causes necrosis of the animal's skin or tongue and they can even lose a piece of it. This is very hard, but it is true and you have to act very quickly if you want to prevent things from getting worse. Necrosis is when the skin or tongue or whatever has been in contact with hairs loses vitality and then ends up falling off. This also makes it more susceptible to infection in that area. And keep in mind that your dog will also have a very bad time because it is very painful for him. Remember that just like in people, it can cause an allergic reaction that can be very dangerous for him. How can you prevent your dog from coming into contact with the processionary caterpillar? If you have been walking in the park during the winter and have seen the nests of the processionary moths in the trees, which are like white bags that form on the treetops, should you be careful, because at the end of winter they will fall to the ground and there will definitely be a processionary moth in that area. Always take your dog out on a leash. If you always keep him on a leash, you will be very aware of where he is and you will be watching where he is putting his five feet in. Also, if you see that he is very playful and always tries to pick things up from the ground, you can try to get him out with a shout. Protect yourself in your own home. If you have a garden with pine trees, what you have to do is fumigate them in the seasons recommended by your pest control. If you want to opt for a more ecological option, there are cones that can be placed on the trunk of the tree to prevent the processionary moth from reaching the ground. Another thing we can do is raise awareness in society as a whole and even among politicians, so that parks also implement these measures. You can do this online by making suggestions to politicians or for example, by sharing this video. Trying, trying. Can you hear me? Even if you haven't seen Any caterpillars during your walk in the park, you may suspect that your dog has come into contact with them. And when you get home, he licks his paws, salivates a lot, doesn't want to eat, and has a sore mouth. At that point, you have to act very quickly and go to the vet so that the situation doesn't get worse. You can also help him by washing the area where he has come into contact with the caterpillar with a little warm water. But don't play the hero, because remember that the caterpillar's hairs can also affect you. Always touch him with gloves. Problems with your dog due to contact with the processionary moth start at the end of winter. As I have explained, the it is something that you have to act on very quickly to prevent the consequences from getting worse. Continue enjoying your walks in the park with your dog, but be a little more attentive during this time of year. And that's it for today's video. If you liked it, give it a like and share it with your family and friends. That way you can help them with their walks in the park at this time of year. Thank you very much for following the Happy Pets and Families Channel, and I'll see you in the next video. I'm frozen. I look like a Popsicle Here. It's the Necrosis.
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