Suspect severe gastroenteritis associated with ingestion of caterpillar setae fragments in a cat

Abstract

A 6‐month‐old male neutered Domestic Shorthair cat was assessed for a 24‐h history of anorexia, lethargy, depressed mentation, mild abdominal pain and persistent bradycardia. Abdominal ultrasound revealed marked thickening of the gastric wall, gastric distension, free abdominal fluid, distension and corrugation of the small intestine. Full‐thickness histopathological biopsy of the gastric wall demonstrated intralesional chitinous structures whose morphology (size and presence of obvious barbs) supports these structures being urticating hairs (setae). A processionary caterpillar is considered most likely as these are the most common urticating caterpillars in Australia. This is the first case of suspected severe gastroenteritis associated with the ingestion of caterpillar setae fragments in a cat.

Experimental oral administration of pollen beetle (Astylus atromaculatus) to cattle results in an acute lethal gastrointestinal disease

“…García, personal observation). A similar pathogenic mechanism mediated by physical damage has been proposed for crystal-containing drugs, with crystalline material possibly acting as a trigger of necro-inflammatory lesions in the intestinal tract of humans, 18 in cases of gastritis in cats, and gastroenteritis and endometritis in mares associated with penetrating chitinous setae ("hairs") present in the exoskeleton of caterpillars, 29,30 and in intoxications by plants containing insoluble (calcium) oxalate needle-like crystals (raphides). 14 Other mechanisms not considered here might be involved.…”