The oak processionary moth is a genus of moths among butterflies. The moth itself is not a problem. However, butterflies begin life as caterpillars. At this stage, the oak processionary moth can cause dangerous reactions in the dog. In this article, you will find out why the oak processionary moth poses a danger to dogs and how you can recognize the animals.
Why is the oak processionary moth a danger to dogs?
When the oak processionary moth touches the dog, the dog can react with a severe allergy. The reason for this is the stinging hairs of the caterpillar. The fine hairs surround the entire body of the caterpillar. When touched, they often break off, releasing the protein thaumetopoein. This substance is extremely toxic to dogs. Since the animals run unsuspectingly through undergrowth and bushes and like to sniff out their surroundings, contact is very easy.
The hairless parts of the dog’s body, such as the nose and paws, are particularly at risk. If the dog touches the caterpillar with its nose or a paw, the hair of the oak processionary moth gets stuck in the skin. But the stinging hairs of the caterpillar can also be dangerous for the dog on the fur. He grooms his fur with his tongue. If stinging hairs get on the tongue, chemical burns occur. In the worst case, individual areas of the tongue can even die off. Even when sniffing the oak processionary moth, dogs may inhale the stinging hairs and suffer from severe respiratory diseases.
How dangerous is the oak processionary moth for dogs?
The caterpillars are extremely dangerous for pets. They can cause severe swelling and chemical burns and, in the worst case, lead to the death of the dog.
How do I recognize oak processionary moths?
The caterpillar is easily recognizable by its fluffy appearance. Typical and eponymous of the caterpillars of the oak processionary moth is their way of infesting trees. Like a procession, the caterpillars walk in several rows, animal by animal, up tree trunks, especially beech and oak trees. Your goal is the top of the tree. When they reach these, they eat the leaves and damage the tree so badly that it can die.
Another distinguishing feature is the color of the caterpillar. A black stripe in the center is surrounded by light stripes on both sides. The infestation of trees can already be seen in the nests of the oak processionary moth. They hang on tree trunks in the form of a white web. They are in the form of a small sac or form a broad webbing in a limited area of the trunk. The caterpillars sit close together in the nests. The nests of the oak processionary moth are not to be confused with the webs formed by other moths. Web moths sometimes completely cover bushes and trees with a white veil. These caterpillars are completely harmless.
What Do Oak Processionary Moths Cause in Dogs?
The stinging hairs of the caterpillars cause severe allergic reactions with swelling and chemical burns. Severe respiratory diseases are also possible when inhaling stinging hairs.
Where is the danger for dogs?
So that the oak processionary moth does not endanger the dog, dog owners should avoid it. The stinging hairs of the caterpillars are often still in the vicinity of infested trees years later. They lie on the ground, on bushes, and are carried into the air by the wind. It is therefore important to avoid infested areas completely. Warning signs often indicate the infestation of trees.
The danger looms particularly in dry, warm regions. Here the caterpillars prefer to attack oaks and beeches in sparse forests or at the edge of the forest. Individual trees in parks, playgrounds, and sports fields or campsites are also popular for nest building. The caterpillars can also occasionally be found on hornbeams.
The danger is particularly great in May and June. During this time, the caterpillars are in a developmental stage with a particularly high level of toxicity. Nest building begins in the fall. Autumn and winter are also dangerous times, as the wind blows the now uninhabited nests from the trees. They also harbor a great danger, since they are interspersed with stinging hairs.
Typical symptoms of contact with the oak processionary moth
If there is contact between the oak processionary moth and the dog, the dog initially shows severe itching. This is especially true when the stinging hairs are stuck in the paws with their barbs. The following other symptoms appear very quickly:
- local rash, especially between the toes
- Rash and swelling around the nose and mucous membranes
- severe swelling of the muzzle and bridge of the nose
- Conjunctivitis with swelling around the eyes
- Shortness of breath from inhaled stinging hairs
- severe redness and open wounds in the area of the tongue and throat#
- extensive wheals
- skin nodules
- difficulties swallowing
- frequent sneezing
- inflammation of the nasal mucosa
- exhaustion
- Fever
- strong panting
- allergic shock
In the worst case, the dog swallows a caterpillar whole. He reacts to this with repeated severe vomiting. The vomit is often bloody. The infestation of the dog in the area of the tongue and throat can be accompanied by severe chemical burns. Extremely affected areas often die off, so that the dog feels impairments for the rest of its life. Since the infestation can also have fatal consequences, immediate treatment by the veterinarian is necessary.
How quickly does the venom of the oak processionary moth work on dogs?
The poison works very quickly. The first symptoms such as itching may appear after just a few minutes. The duration depends on the type of infestation, as dogs can still lick stinging hairs from their fur hours after a walk.
Treatment of symptoms and prevention of oak processionary moth in dogs
First aid consists of thorough cleaning of the skin, mouth, and nose with plenty of water. However, you should not rub it with your hands or a cloth. This allows the stinging hairs to penetrate deeper into the skin. Dog owners can also infect themselves. The vet immediately puts the dog on decongestants because the severe swelling is causing areas of skin to die off. Antihistamines work against the allergy and ointments provide relief from skin irritations. Homeopathic remedies are not sufficient for treatment, as quick help is required.
Prevention is only possible by avoiding infested areas. As soon as even one tree is infested by the caterpillar of the oak processionary moth, the stinging hairs are up to a distance of 200 meters in the area. Since they also fly around, preventive protection of the dog is not possible.
