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 human body through small breaks in the skin after contact with contaminated soil or by accidental ingestion. 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. Even after contaminated fecal matter is washed into the soil by hoses or rainwater, these parasite eggs can survive and infect for months to years.
Once hookworm and roundworm larvae enter the human body, they mature and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs. From there, coughing facilitates access to the gastrointestinal tract, where it attaches to the intestinal wall and leaches nutrients. Although people with healthy immune systems may not show clinical symptoms of infection, the presence of large numbers of parasites can cause anemia and malnutrition. Especially in young children, it can cause intestinal obstruction and may require surgical intervention.
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, which can be life-threatening to other dogs and cats, especially adult dogs. It can cause threatening diseases (the dog breed is not contagious to humans). Unvaccinated animals, 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 to help defend against these and other viruses. Vaccinations can protect your pet.
Many species of local wildlife belong to the canid and feline groups. While they are also susceptible to many of the same parasites and viruses as pet dogs and cats, they are far 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 in the park, in the woods, on the sidewalk, in your garden, wherever your dog or cat relieves themselves, 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.
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 with, and cushions the impact of falling off a play structure. However, cats and other small mammals love to use it as a litter box. Covering sandboxes when not in use and carefully monitoring beach and playground environments are important steps to minimize risk.
By regularly following a parasite prevention protocol in your pet, testing for intestinal parasites once a year, and regularly removing fecal material from the environment, all mammals in the environment (humans, pets, It can also minimize the chance that animals (animals) will contract these diseases. wild.
Important points to remember to avoid parasites and minimize ecological impact:
- No matter where your pet poops, pick it up and safely dispose of the waste. 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 and 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.
The author is a clinical assistant professor of small animal clinical sciences at the University of Florida.
This article was created with the help of conversation.com.
