FWD: hawkmoth toxins GEHP

[Gordon Ramel]

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Subject: hawkmoth toxins  GEHP
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From: brian.uk at virgin.net
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This message is from Brian Barnett <brian.uk at virgin.net>, a veterinary surgeon from London, England.

Please help.
A client's cat was found crying with a swollen face with a caterpillar at its feet. The caterpillar was large and had a brown/green fluid-filled dorsal vein? and strong dark (black ?) "antenna" on its head. Local Natural Hist Museum said caterpillar = Hawkmoth or Elephant Hawkmoth
Cat not been same since this incident several years ago?
Told that such spp have toxic saliva/fluid when pupating?!
Can anyone please help me on this story? - Have there been any such reports of toxic effects from contact with such caterpillars?! Do they possess some sort of protective toxins and if so, what are the effects thereof?
Any help would be much appreciated by myself, my client and by her lethargic cat 'Pepper'

Yours greatfully
Brian Barnett BVSc MRCVS



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