Niza ME, Ferreira RL, Coimbra IV et al. Effects of pine processionary caterpillar Thaumetopoea pityocampa contact in dogs: 41 cases (2002-2006). Zoonoses Public Health 2012; 59: 35-38. Abstract.
PubMed ID (PMID): 21824369
Reprint: ME Niza
Comments: In Meditarrean countries, dogs living near pine trees are often in contact with irritant hair (setae) from the pine processionary caterpillars. These setae are rich in thaumetopoein, an urticating protein, and irritant reactions consist most often of drooling, dysphagia and pain with tongue ulceration and necrosis. This paper provides relevant clinical information based upon a large series of cases of canine lepidopterism, a disease rarely reported before in the veterinary literature.
Recommended by: Thierry Olivry, NC State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
