Pet owners need to be on the look-out for a hidden threat that can seriously hurt their dogs. A graphic photo of a dog’s mouth covered with Asian lady beetles went viral after Hoisington Veterinary Hospital in Kansas warned about the harmful effects.
The clinic posted the disturbing photo on its Facebook page to warn other dog owners and it has since gone viral.
According to news channel KAKE, Frances Jiriks went to the vet after her pooch refused to eat and was also foaming at the mouth and lethargic.
The beetles look like common ladybugs, but have a mucus-like discharge that allows them to stick to the top of the mouth. The longer you leave them in the mouth, the more likely that “lacerations and ulcers” can occur, said Dr. Lindsay Mitchell, the vet who worked on Bailey. This causes a “painful bite” and the foaming to occur she told KAKE.
If your dog runs into trouble with the bugs, Dr. Lindsay says to try and just pull them out of their mouth, if the dog will let you. But she says if you see any ulcers inside the mouth, to bring the dog in to see a vet.
Agencies/Canadajournal
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