The dangers of pet poop – not only is it unsightly, it can also spread disease

Have you ever been out for a walk and as you take the next step, you feel the poop slippery and squished under your feet?

It's not just terrible. Not only are they dirty and smelly, but they can also become infected. That's why, in addition to signs reminding owners to “restraint their dogs” and scoop up poop, some places also post warnings that pet waste can spread disease. is.

As a small animal primary care veterinarian, I deal with poop problems in dogs and cats every day. Feces represent a potential zoonotic hazard and can transmit diseases from animals to humans.

The reality is that waste that enters the soil, whether in neighborhoods, trails, or dog parks, can spread life-threatening parasites not only to dogs and cats, but also to wildlife and people of all ages. there is. A 2020 study found intestinal parasites in 85% of off-leash dog parks across the United States.

Although the human disease caused by soil-transmitted parasites is considered rare in the United States, it infects an estimated 1 billion people worldwide. Signs reminding people to pick up their pets aren't just for keeping public areas clean. They urge you to protect the health of your community.

How discarded poop affects people

Common dog fecal parasites include hookworms, roundworms, coccidia, and whipworms. Hookworms and roundworms can reproduce in a variety of species, including humans.

Microscopic larvae can enter the body through small breaks in the skin after contact with contaminated soil or accidentally ingested. The next time you go out, remember to wipe the sweat from your face with dirty hands before licking your lips or drinking a drink. It's that simple. After contaminated poop is washed into the soil by a hose or rainwater, these parasite eggs can survive and infect for months or years afterwards.

Once hookworm and roundworm larvae enter the human body, they mature and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs. From there, they gain access to the host's digestive tract by coughing, attaching to the intestinal wall and leaching nutrients. Although people with healthy immune systems may not show clinical signs of infection, the presence of large numbers of these parasites can cause anemia and malnutrition. Especially in young children, it can cause intestinal obstruction and may require surgical intervention.

In addition, the larval stage of the roundworm can invade the human eye and in rare cases can lead to permanent blindness. Hookworms can cause a severe itchy condition called cutaneous larva migrans, when the larvae move just under the host's skin.

Once the parasite's life cycle is complete, it may exit the host's body as an intact adult worm that looks like a small piece of cooked spaghetti.

Effects on other animals

Dogs and cats can develop the same symptoms as humans due to parasitic infections. In addition to the risk of hookworms and roundworms, pets are also susceptible to whipworms, giardia, and coccidia.

In addition to parasites, unattended poop can be contaminated with canine and feline viruses such as parvovirus, distemper virus, and canine coronavirus, and can be contaminated with other dogs and cats, especially those who have not been vaccinated. It can cause life-threatening illness in not only adult animals but also puppies and kittens.

These viruses attack rapidly dividing cells, especially the intestinal lining and bone marrow, making them unable to absorb nutrients properly and producing replacement red and white blood cells that help defend against these and other viruses. Vaccinations can protect your pet.

Many species of local wildlife belong to the canine and feline groups. They are also susceptible to many of the same parasites and viruses as pet dogs and cats, but are much less likely to benefit from vaccinations. Coyotes, wolves, foxes, raccoons, mink, and bobcats are at risk of contracting parvovirus, coronavirus, and distemper.

Responsible management of pet poop

So pick up their poop wherever your dog or cat relieves itself, such as in the park, in the woods, on the sidewalk, or even in your garden, but always avoid touching it with your skin. It's safest to use a shovel to dump the poop directly into a plastic bag, or to hold the bag over your hand, grab the poop, and pull the plastic bag over it. It's tempting to leave behind “soft serve” or watery poop, but these are often more likely to spread disease.

To avoid inadvertently contaminating neighbors or sanitation workers, be sure to tie the bag and place it in the trash, not on top of it. Wash your hands immediately, especially before touching your face or eating or drinking. Hand sanitizers can remove many viruses on the skin, but they cannot kill parasite eggs.

Other potential sources of poop and parasites include sandboxes, beaches, and park sand under and around playgrounds. Sand is comfortable to lounge in, fun to build castles on, and cushions the impact of falling off a play structure. However, cats and other small mammals love to use them as litter boxes because they can easily dig in and absorb moisture. Covering sandboxes when not in use and carefully monitoring beach and playground environments are important steps to minimize the risk of exposure for everyone.

Regularly following a parasite prevention protocol for your pet, such as testing for intestinal parasites annually and regularly removing fecal material from the environment, will ensure that all mammals in the environment (humans, pets, and wild) are free from these parasites. can minimize your chances of contracting the disease.

Important points to remember to avoid parasites and minimize ecological impact:

• No matter where your pet poops, pick up the waste and safely dispose of it. Please disinfect your hands afterwards.
• Wash your hands before eating or touching your face while gardening or doing yard work.
• Avoid washing poop into the soil. Using a rain or garden hose will only remove visible dirt, not microscopic problems.
• Always make sure the sandbox is covered when not in use.
• Keep your pet on a monthly intestinal parasite deworming schedule.
• Have your veterinarian examine your pet's poop annually to check for intestinal parasites.