Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Health risks for dogs from pine processionary caterpillar contact
By Kaszak, Ilona et al.·Published in Annals of parasitology·2015·Faculty of Veterinary Medicine·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Pine processionary caterpillar, Thaumetopoea pityocampa Denis and Schiffermüller, 1775 contact as a health risk for dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A dog that came into contact with pine processionary caterpillars developed severe skin and mouth reactions, including swelling of the tongue and difficulty breathing. This condition, known as lepidopterism, can cause serious symptoms like inflammation, respiratory distress, and even tongue necrosis. While there are few documented cases, it's important for pet owners to be aware of the risks, especially in areas where these caterpillars are common. Treatment typically involves managing the symptoms and providing supportive care, which can help the dog recover.
People also search for: dog tongue swelling caterpillar · why is my dog having trouble breathing · pine processionary caterpillar symptoms in dogs
Abstract
Pine processionary, Thaumetopoea pityocampa Denis and Schiffermüller, 1775 is a moth that belongs to the order of insects Lepidoptera, and family Notodontidae. The larvae of pine processionary moth are the main pest of pines all over the world, but mainly in Mediterranean region. The contact with pine processionary caterpillar (lepidopterism) can produce a strong inflammatory reaction on skin and mucous membranes. Other findings include hyperthermia, tachypnoea, respiratory distress, cyanosis and tongue oedema, labial angioedema, ptyalism, bilateral submandibular lymphadenomegaly, conjunctivitis and severe tongue necrosis. Tough, few veterinary cases have been published. Also in Poland pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pinivora) is present, especially near the Baltic coast and can be a possible health risk for both humans and animals (especially dogs). The aim of this article is to increase knowledge about the clinical manifestations of pine processionary caterpillar contact, which may be useful for diagnosis of this dangerous disease.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26568988/