Pine Moth nests. Fatal for DOGS. Unless taken to Vet immediately.

Thanks for the info. 

Hi, I'd like to add to this post that while walking my dogs this morning in Calle  Antillas near Captain Morgan's in Villamartin, I saw the remains of 4 trails of caterpillars that had been thankfully run over by cars and been squashed.

There are numerous pine trees in this road, but not all have the telltale signs of the caterpillars hanging in their cobweb looking sacks, so I couldn't tell which tree or trees they had come from.  Knowing how they join together to form chains they could have been marching from any of the surrounding trees.

I just wanted to let everyone know that it looks like the season for these horrible creatures is starting so please be careful with your dogs.

Hello everyone, I am Antje and new to this forum. However, as I am a dog lover and owner and also an amateur trainer, I would like to share some useful information about the Pine Moth. 

I have been given a remedy by my vet that can be administered directly to the dog on contact. It is an immediate medication that is injected into the vein of the foreleg. There are 2 ampoules, one with dry powder and one with liquid, which are mixed and given by means of the syringe provided. I always carry it with me on walks from February onwards. 

The drug is called Metilprednisolona 40mg. I have had it for 2 years but have never needed it, it has a long shelf life. Check with your vet, it doesn't cost much, but if you do need it, it gives you valuable time. Many greetings 

Certainly something to consider! But in my case, trying to administer an intravenous injection to a 65 kilo dog in the open air would be nigh on impossible :)

A far better option, imho, is to stick to the LAW, and avoid any contact with these horrendous insects.

That involves keeping our dogs on a 2 metre long leash, whereby we have immediate control over our dog's behaviour, and keeping away from areas where there are Pine trees.

Using retractable long leashes is illegal, but so many people ignore the Law.

You cannot control your dog's behaviour using one of these leashes, let alone see what it is getting its nose into from that distance!

And sadly, since my first post about the infestation of some Pine trees in the Blue Lagoon,which somebody has promptly removed..THANK YOU!...there are more in a couple of other taller Pines.

When it is time for the caterpillars to come down from the nests, they form long lines, nose to tail, as they set off looking for somewhere to bury themselves to pupate.

Unless they do so on pathways or roads, where they are usually seen, it is almost impossible to see them amongst the Pine needles and fallen leaves. And that is where the REAL danger lies. You can't see them easily...but your dog can easily do so, and the damage is done.

So please..respect the Law, your dog's wellbeing, and other dog owners. Put your dog, on its leash, and keep it there. They will still enjoy their walks, believe me.

The cocoons are spreading rapidly in Blue Lagoon. Photos of some of them in the Archway entry to the blue Lagoon Urb.

PLEASE keep your eyes peeled when walking your dogs in this,and other areas all over the region, and Spain. 

There can be as many as 100 caterpillars in one cocoon.