Processionary or Thaumetopoea pityocampa can be quite dangerous for dogs, because simply having a little contact could cause a severe veterinary emergency.
This could be really serious usually due to direct contact of the insect with the mucosa or its ingestion, the animal could suffer a delicate picture, which could end up causing the death of the dog.
Biological cycle
The presence of this around Mediterranean areas it is usually very common during the spring time, a period where the larvae emerge from their bags and begin to move in procession to a new lair. That is the reason why throughout this period and those that follow, it is necessary to pay special attention and exercise great caution when going for a walk with pets.
In order to really know when the presence of the processionary is most dangerous for dogs, it is necessary to pay special attention to the biological cycle of this insect, so we will explain it below.
Throughout the months of March and April the processionary descends from her nest, which is usually located on the top of the trees, creating an extensive line of insects and being precisely at that time the time when these processionaries are much more dangerous, because they can throw sharp hairs into the air when they feel in danger.
When they manage to descend completely and reach the ground, processionaries are usually buried in order to protect themselves and to be able to transform into chrysalis that later will hatch to become butterflies, which happens approximately during the month of May and / or June.
Then both mating and egg laying take place, which It occurs throughout the summer at the top of the pines.
After 30 days of this, hatching of the eggs takes placeTherefore, the larvae begin to develop through five different larval stages to reach sufficient maturity to begin their ascent towards the trees, in order to create their distinctive nests in which they can protect themselves against the arrival of cold climates.
Throughout the period from November to February, the larvae are usually kept protected within their nests and they interact with each other to generate a kind of social bond, in addition to going out at night in order to get food.
In this way and when spring arrives again, the processionaries begin to prepare to descend again from the trees in a procession that is led by one of the females.
Effects of having contact with dogs
As we have already mentioned, processionaries have stinging hairs located on the back of their body, which they can throw into the air if they feel they are threatened. Due to its rigidity, These hairs are similar to the quills that certain plants have and when they come into contact with dogs, they release a toxic substance that endangers the animal.
The toxin released by the processionary stands out for being really strong, since it generates severe irritation and great inflammation, so when they have contact, either with the tongue and / or mucous membranes, causes poisoning that could cause injury that could become necrotic, which means that the cells of the affected part die and a blockage is generated in the airways, making the clinical picture more serious.
Symptom
This is the reason why when perceiving the presence of the processionary around the space in which the dogs are usually, taking precautions is essential when going out for a walk with the animal, as well as being aware of the symptoms that indicate possible poisoning from this insect, such as:
- Malaise.
- Hypersalivation
- Allergic reaction.
- Skin inflammation.
- Inflammation of the tongue
- Ulcers.
- Skin irritation
- Red, bruised, or black tongue.
- Inconveniences to breathe.
- Excessive scratching.
These are some of the most common symptoms; however, there are many others.
So, what to do when a dog has eaten or smelled a processionary? The most convenient thing is to get informed, so below we offer some keys that allow you to act appropriately to offer the animal the necessary first aid, but without forgetting that this is in no way a replacement for the veterinary medical care that the dog must receive urgently .
What to do when a dog comes into contact with a processionary?
The first thing to do when perceiving that the dog has had contact with a processionary, is to offer the first aid mentioned below:
- Without using your hands, that is always using tweezers and / or glovesThe processionary or villi that the dog had contact with and that remain in its fur must be carefully removed.
- Afterwards, the affected area should be washed with a large amount of fresh water.
- Try not to manipulate, rub and / or press the wounds that the animal's skin may have, since otherwise it could cause a greater release of toxic substances from the stinging hairs.
- Take the dog immediately to a veterinary center and if necessary, make it go through the emergency room.
Treatment
The consequences produced by the ingestion and / or contact of the dog with a processionary are really severe and on certain occasions could be fatal by not offering care to the dog in time. And it is that in addition to skin reactions, those dogs that were intoxicated by a processionary could not only drown, but also suffer necrosis in some area of ​​your body, so it might be necessary to amputate said tissue or certain area.
The treatment that will be applied to the dog will depend directly on the reaction that the animal's organism has against the toxin with which it had contact, but the most normal is usually the use of antihistamines and corticosteroids, administration of antibiotics, stimulation of vomiting, etc.
In more serious cases, hospitalization of the animal and the use of fluid therapy may be required in order to keep you properly hydrated, especially if you are in shock.
The change of climate has a great influence on the biological cycle of the processionaries, that is the reason why the increase in temperature causes them to be much more active and leave their colonies for a longer period of time than normal. , which it's represents a great risk of poisoning for dogs.
In order to avoid the problems caused by the processionary, frequent monitoring of trees is essential that may be in the gardens or around the area where the dog lives, in order to detect the presence of processionary nests in time and combat them by contacting a phytosanitary professional or notifying the City Hall and being especially alert when walking with dogs during spring and summer.