Characteristic of late spring season (but it can also appear in advance, as during this year), we want to warn the owners, so that they know how to recognize it and act promptly in case of contact with the processionary.
The long walks in the pine forests and parks, characteristic of this period of the year and of spring, can represent a risk for the dog, of meeting the fearsome processionary moth with its stinging hairs harmful to dogs and cats, but also to the man.
What is the processionary?
If you are wondering what kind of insect the processionary is, know that we are talking about a lepidottero belonging to the family of Notodontidae.
Basically it is an insect that has multiple life stages, its adult form is represented by one mothwhile the larva (or caterpillar) constitutes a pest for pines (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) e oaks (Thaumetopoea processionea).
The life cycle of the insect and where the processionary is found
The moths lay the egg on the branches of pine trees in August, while in the case of oaks, in July.
After a month, the eggs turn into larvaewhich are still harmless, because they lack the characteristic irritating hairs, and move along the tree eating pine needles or oak leaves.
In autumn these larvae form gods nestswith a cottony appearance, which on pines are found between the branches (pine processionary), while on oaks they are found along the trunk (oak processionary).
Inside the nests they will then wait for the mild season and towards March (or even earlier!) they will move to terra: in this phase the processionaries present stinging hairs which they use to defend themselves, waiting to become chrysalises and turn into moths thanks to the summer heat.
Processionary: dangerous period
When they descend to the ground, the processionaries they migrate looking for a safe place to do the metamorphosis expected for the summer season: this migration takes place throughout the spring and that’s why they are called this way.
In fact, the caterpillars arrange themselves in single fileassuming the character of a “procession” and moving in even very numerous groups: it will therefore be possible to meet them on the ground below various types of pines and oaks.
It is important to know the types of trees on which it can be encountered, in order to avoid them: if Fido loves walking in pine forests or in parks where there are oaks, or the vegetation of the place where he lives includes trees of this kind, it will be essential to pay attention.
How to prevent the processionary?
After understanding what processionaries are, it will be easier to recognize the nests on pines and oaks during the winter: in case of sighting, it will be necessary to report the matter to the competent authorities for reclamation and disinfestation, mandatory in Italy since 2008, due to the danger of the insect also for humans.
Even if the nests have been treated, it will be wise not to go towards the areas adjacent to them due to the possible presence of dead larvae.
It should be emphasized that the stinging hairs of the processionary larva can easily detach from the insect and disperse in the wind, being very thin and volatile: whether they come from a live larva or from a dead larva, their toxicity remains valid for up to one year.
If it should not be possible to physically avoid places of processionary larvae infestation, observe the following preventive measures:
- Be careful in hours between dusk and nightin which the larvae move more.
- Bring the dog with closed muzzle wornso that he does not ingest/inhale the stinging hairs.
- Always have one available solution of water and bicarbonate (3 tablespoons per liter of water) and one syringe capacious without needle.
What causes the processionary moth to dogs?
If, despite the preventive measures, the dog has come into contact with the stinging hairs of the processionary moth, by ingesting them or inhaling them by smelling the ground, symptoms may soon appear.
The hairs of processionaries are very sharp and function as toxin inoculator: the toxin contained within them is a protein which causes a fierce inflammation due to histamine release a opera of canine mast cells.
Symptoms of a dog stung by a processionary moth
be theingestion/inhalation through the respiratory tract that the simple direct contact they cause symptoms, although of different severity, depending on the affected area (nose, tongue, nasal and oral mucous membranes):
- hypersalivation;
- nasal discharge with epitaxy (nosebleed) when hair is inhaled;
- fever;
- local pain;
- lingual edema (swelling of the tongue even if only in case of contact);
- ulcers;
- shortness of breath caused by swelling of the tongue (likely to choke);
- cough;
- vomit;
- lethargy;
- anorexia due to severe inflammation of the oral mucosa, esophagus and stomach;
- swelling of the glottis, with possible suffocation;
- bloody diarrhea;
- vomiting blood;
- abdominal pain.
In the most serious cases, lingual edema can turn into a necrosis, i.e. a death of the cellular tissue, caused by the toxin, which can finally lead to loss of portions of the tongue.
Contact with the eyes causes serious conjunctivitis and, in the case of actual ingestion of the hair, the stomach and the organs of the gastrointestinal tract can be compromised by ulcers to the point of causing the death of the pets.
Processionary in dogs: after how long the symptoms?
The symptoms of a dog in contact with the processionary crop up very quickly: usually a few minutes or a few hours after contact or ingestion.
What to do in case of contact with the processionary?
After understanding what processionaries are and how to recognize them, it is very important to know that we need to act promptly to limit the damage, but also to avoid prolonged suffering for the poor dog.
In case of contact with the processionary, therefore, it will be necessary to immediately alert the veterinary first aid.
To stem the damage, wash the affected area with the solution of water and bicarbonate which, by raising the pH of the toxin, will reduce its pathogenic power. Using the syringe and gloves (so as not to come into contact with the stinging hairs), insist on reddened areas, such as the mouth, nostrils and eyes.
At this point go to the veterinary doctor who will intervene in a more specific and targeted way to limit systemic damage. Don’t waste time contacting your trusted doctor because processionaries are dangerous.
