Journals / Türk Veteriner Cerrahi Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 3 Sayı: 1

Pine Processionary Moth Caterpillar (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) and Tongue Lesions Caused by This Caterpillar in Working Dogs

Çam Kese Böceği Tırtılı (Thaumetopoeo pityocampa) ve Bu Tırtıl Nedenli Görev Köpeklerinde Karşılaşılan Dil Lezyonları

Hakan Salcı(Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi)0000-0001-6548-8754
Koray Yildirim(Gemlik Köpek Yetiştirme Merkezi)0000-0001-6138-7163
Mehmet Metin Şen(Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi)0000-0001-5962-0202
Mehmet Uzman(Gemlik Köpek Yetiştirme Merkezi)0009-0000-8330-8307
Pages
23–26
Publication Date
2025-06-04
DOI
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Conclusion: It should be considered that different mouth and tongue lesions caused by pine processionary moth caterpillars may be encountered in working dogs in the spring months in our country and it should be known that the prognosis may be unfavorable, especially depending on the size of the tongue lesions.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Objective: The aim of this study was to review the lesions of the pine beetle caterpillar in our country where pine forests are densely populated and to present the tongue lesions encountered in working dogs.
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Key Findings & Data:Materials and Methods: A total of 4 male dogs (n=4), 3 Malinois and 1 Border Collie, who had contact with pine beetle caterpillars were included in this clinical study.
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Conclusion & Impact:Conclusion: It should be considered that different mouth and tongue lesions caused by pine processionary moth caterpillars may be encountered in working dogs in the spring months in our country and it should be known that the prognosis may be unfavorable, especially depending on the size of the tongue lesions.
🔬Design:Review & Systematic Survey
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Çam kese böceği tırtılı · dil lezyonu · köpek

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to review the lesions of the pine beetle caterpillar in our country where pine forests are densely populated and to present the tongue lesions encountered in working dogs. Materials and Methods: A total of 4 male dogs (n=4), 3 Malinois and 1 Border Collie, who had contact with pine beetle caterpillars were included in this clinical study. Sudden retching, vomiting, increased salivation and respiratory problems were observed and lesions were observed in the mouth and especially on the tongue. The dogs were injected with pheniramine hydrogen maleate and methylprednisolone sodium succinate, ampicillin sulbactam and ranitidine. Glycerin iode was applied to the tongue and oral cavity until the oral lesions improved. Oral feeding was prevented in dogs and parenteral dextrose solution was given. Results: Clinical findings included pityalismus, dyspnea and tachypnea, gingival and lingual edema, conjunctivitis, labial edema, bilateral submandibular lymph-adenomegaly, erythema and vesicles on the ventral and dorsal surfaces of the tongue. In one case, necrosis and erosions on the tongue extending from the tip of the tongue to the caudal aspect and hematoma on the frenulum lingue were observed. Tongue lesions of 3 of the dogs resolved after 7 days of treatment, but 1 dog was euthanized due to tongue necrosis and failure of tongue function. Conclusion: It should be considered that different mouth and tongue lesions caused by pine processionary moth caterpillars may be encountered in working dogs in the spring months in our country and it should be known that the prognosis may be unfavorable, especially depending on the size of the tongue lesions.

Özet

Amaç: Bu çalışmada, çam ormanlarının yoğun olarak bulunduğu ülkemizde çam kese böceği tırtılının lezyonlarının tekrar gözden geçirilmesi ve görev köpeklerinde karşılaşılan dil lezyonlarının sunulması amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çam kese böceği tırtılıyla teması olan 3 Malinois ve 1 Border Collie ırkı toplam 4 erkek köpek (n=4) bu klinik çalışmada ele alındı. Aniden ortaya çıkan öğürme, kusma, salya artışı ve solunum problemi gözlenen köpeklerin ağız bölgesinde ve özellikle dillerinde lezyonlar gözlendi. Köpeklere feniramin hidrojen maleat ve metilprednizolon sodyum süksinat, ampisilin sülbaktam ve ranitidin enjekte edildi. Ağız lezyonları düzelene kadar dil ve ağız boşluğuna gliserin iode uygulandı. Köpeklerde oral beslenme önlenerek parenteral dekstroz solüsyonu verildi. Bulgular: Klinik bulgular pityalismus, dispnea ve taşipnea, gingival ve lingual ödem, konjonktivit, labial ödem, bilateral submandibular lenfadenomegali, dilin ventral, dorsal yüzeylerinde eritem ve veziküllerdi. Bir olguda dilin ucundan caudale doğru yönelen dilde nekroz ve erezyonlar ile birlikte frenulum lingue’de hematom görüldü. Köpeklerden 3’ünün dil lezyonları 7 günlük tedavinin ardından düzeldi ancak 1 köpekte dil nekrozu ve dilin fonksiyonunu yerine getiremediği belirlenerek bu köpeğe ötenazi uygulandı. Sonuç: Ülkemizde ilkbahar aylarında görev köpeklerinde çam kese böceği tırtılı nedenli farklı ağız ve dil lezyonlarıyla karşılaşılabileceği düşünülmeli ve özellikle dil lezyonlarının büyüklüğüne bağlı olarak prognozun olumsuz olabileceği bilinmelidir.

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Cite This Article

Salcı, H., Yildirim, K., Şen, M. M., Uzman, M. (2025). Pine Processionary Moth Caterpillar (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) and Tongue Lesions Caused by This Caterpillar in Working Dogs. Türk Veteriner Cerrahi Dergisi, Cilt: 3 Sayı: 1, 23–26. https://ajindex.com/articles/1603473

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