Processionary Caterpillars Warning Pet Owners

[bobandjanie]

Just a reminder all you pet owners travelling in Spain the processionary caterpillars are active, they have seen in towns where you never expect them, we have not seen them on ground ourselves on our walks in the mountains, but plenty of nests and they are out and ready to go, so be extra careful when out and about. Bob.

 

[pampam]

Im on a quesada facebook group and someone put a photo of two lines of caterpillers on the path outside a pub,ive never seen it before they looked like a crack in pavement but ive been told they dangerous to dogs (sorry i cant find picture). Pam

 

[bobandjanie]

Yes nasty things, someone said they was outside Maseymas supermarket in Benicachel you cant see any pine trees close to it, and that's what they build their nest in.
I think it was Rayb182 cleaning pine needles off his motorhome roof, all his arms come up in an irritating rash, obviously the caterpillars had shed some hairs.
We had them a few years ago in Portugal in September, and unknown to us them being in the trees we parked under, until we got out the camper in the morning and they was everywhere, so a lot earlier than we get them here in Javea. Bob.

 

[tufty]

What harm do they do to dogs?

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

What harm do they do to dogs?

Swollen tongue: if they stick to the tongue of a dog, the hooked and stinging hairs of processionary caterpillars can cause real injuries. The resulting allergic reaction makes the animal's tongue swollen, with a consequent risk of suffocation.

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[tufty]

Swollen tongue: if they stick to the tongue of a dog, the hooked and stinging hairs of processionary caterpillars can cause real injuries. The resulting allergic reaction makes the animal's tongue swollen, with a consequent risk of suffocation.

Thanks, sounds horrible. I'll look out for them as we are in Spain with dog atm for another few weeks.

 

[EuroTrotters]

thanks for the reminder bobandjanie

 

[bobandjanie]

What harm do they do to dogs?

Best Google them, then you will know more about them and know what to look for. Bob.

 

[pampam]

Ive found the pic on my facebook and this is tham on a path .....

 

[Shrimp]

We parked under some pine trees in France, never thought of the caterpillars but then looking around we saw some nests so moved double quick!

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[denisejoe]

Never had a pine tree but when I was a kid the were in a plane tree in front garden

 

[Sue and Rick]

Ive found the pic on my facebook and this is tham on a path .....

View attachment 712110

I wonder if they were waiting for the pub to open?

 

[dryad]

and we have the oak processionary caterpillar here in uk, every bit as evil to both man and beaast, and also notifiable to the relevent agency so they can be dealt with, but i cant remember which one it is..

.

 

[Bobandfay]

We are in Guadramas du Suguria this week,the park area near the beach is covered with them never seen so many,they seem to be on the increase in this area first ones we have seen this year on our travels.

 

[Lenny HB]

and we have the oak processionary caterpillar here in uk, every bit as evil to both man and beaast, and also notifiable to the relevent agency so they can be dealt with, but i cant remember which one it is..

.

It's The Forest Commission.

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[Littlewheels]

They are deadly do not underestimate the danger.

Why are Pine Processionary Caterpillars So Dangerous?

It is impossible to underestimate the horrifying impact that these caterpillars can have on both children and animals (particularly -Broken Link Removed-). There are often stories in the press of dogs who are put to sleep, or who have to undertake extensive surgery as a result of standing on or swallowing pine processionary caterpillars. Although not as fatal, children can also experience allergic reactions or respiratory problems as a result of coming into contact with the caterpillars. Individuals with asthma are particularly vulnerable and at risk of having a severe attack, so need to be especially careful when walking in Spanish woodland.

These caterpillars are so dangerous because the hairs or bristles that cover their bodies contain an urticating protein called Thaumetopoein. This is a poison that can case severe skin irritation, and lead to a rash in humans, whilst because animals are more likely to eat the caterpillars, or lick any wounds or sores that they receive, the damage can be much more devastating to them.

 

[Gaston aires]

My wife and I both ended up in Marbella hospital due to these critters. Their hairs got into our bedsheets while on the line drying and we came out covered in a rash. Don’t go near them.
Phil

 

[G10]

If pets or humans are seek medical assistance asap. It took 2 weeks of daily visits to the vets with our dog. Although there was no sign of them he must have laid down on the grass where they had been.

 

[brynric]

We’re currently in a pine forest in Sagres with several suspicious looking nests above us.
Forewarned is forarmed.
The bug splatter is charging.

 

[Davecrawf]

Just a reminder all you pet owners travelling in Spain the processionary caterpillars are active, they have seen in towns where you never expect them, we have not seen them on ground ourselves on our walks in the mountains, but plenty of nests and they are out and ready to go, so be extra careful when out and about. Bob.

View attachment 711963

Absolutely horrid creatures.

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[Stonemags76]

My husband had a very painful rash on his back after brushing past them when biking. We are always very careful with our dog & move on if we see a lot of nests. I think they sort of shoot the hairs out if touched?

 

[ashley 1340]

We get them here in South of France as well

 

[sltgapper]

Best Google them, then you will know more about them and know what to look for. Bob.

Can be fatal and nasty for young children too.

 

[Emmit]

When I did the Camino four years ago, (WHAT!!! How long ago?)

I spent hours pointing out the nests to fellow perigrinos of the danger. They, of course, coming from all over the planet, had no idea of the danger.

I only saw one actual caterpillar as it was early season in the North of Spain.

 

[x17ken]

I had an encounter with these little beasts a couple of years ago, before I knew about the harm they can cause. We stopped for an overnight stay in Portugal. I noticed a ball of caterpillars on the ground where I was going to put down a couple of mats outside the MOHO door. I pushed the ball of caterpillars out of the way with my hand, put the mats down and went inside. Next day I had the hands of Mickey Mouse. They looked OK, but I couldn't bend my fingers, my hands were itching like fury, and I had to drive only using my palms. Fortunately my dogs and wife were unaffected. Now when I pull up to a pitch at this time of year my eyes are as much in the pine trees and on the ground under them as they are on a good pitch to park on.

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[Riverbankannie]

Ive found the pic on my facebook and this is tham on a path .....

View attachment 712110

Very useful picture to help people spot them when one might not realise straight away.

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

Might be worth carrying some of this if visiting when they are about?

Pine Processionary Caterpillar | Order online

Pine Processionary Caterpillar Gel is suitable for when your pet suffers from a skin reaction because of the hairs from the processionary caterpillar.

www.vetsend.co.uk

 

[TR5]

Dogs/pets usually get them stuck in their paws, then start licking or pulling at their paws, hence then getting the hairs in their mouths.

 

[Roger S]

A friend's dog tried eating one or two it did survive but had to have half its tongue amputated !

 

[Andysprinter]

Dogs/pets usually get them stuck in their paws, then start licking or pulling at their paws, hence then getting the hairs in their mouths.

For that reason can’t emphasise enough to get the animal to a vet within a couple of hours. We’ve met people it’s happened to and it’s really been that serious.

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