Toxocariasis. Dog faeces can pose a significant health risk to humans, particularly young children as their immune systems are not fully developed. Children are also more likely to come into contact with soil or sand that contains dog faeces whilst playing in parks, gardens and playgrounds. All faeces contain bacteria that can cause stomach upsets, but the greatest risk is from toxocariasis.
Toxocariasis is particularly hazardous to small children as it can result in blindness.You might have heard of Toxocariasis, but do you know exactly what it is and how to prevent it? Even if you don't have a dog, make sure you're aware of the risks.
What is Toxocariasis?
Toxocara is the name given to a species of roundworm commonly found in dogs and cats. Virtually all puppies are born with Toxocara. Puppies and kittens can also be infected with Toxocara through their mother's milk or from environmental contamination. The type of toxocara found in dogs can endanger human health. The type of toxocara found in cats has only rarely been associated with cases of Toxocariasis (Toxocara infection).
How is Toxocariasis spread?
Microscopic toxocara eggs are present in the faeces of infected animals. These eggs have thick, sticky shells which means that they can remain infective in the soil for two to four years after the faeces have disappeared. The sticky shell helps eggs to adhere to fingers or clothing.
How do humans become infected with Toxocariasis?
By accidentally swallowing the infective Toxocara eggs. This is why crawling babies and toddlers are most at risk; they tend to put dirty fingers and toys into their mouths. Medical records show that approximately 100 new cases of Toxocariasis are diagnosed each year.
What happens once humans get infected?
Once swallowed, Toxocara eggs release larvae into the intestine. These larvae travel through the body until they die, which may take several years. The symptoms of this disease can be unpleasant and difficult to treat. They can include stomach upset and pain, headache, sore throat, wheezing and listlessness. In some cases they can cause sight problems and in some cases blindness.
Always clear up dog faeces immediately and deposit it in the nearest dog bin or, if at home, in a safe and secure bin.
Neospora parasite in cattle
Responsible dog owners in towns and cities are used to clearing up after their doggie friend. But what about when out on the hills or fells? It's reasonable perhaps to assume that in the wilder outdoors - as long as it's not actually left where a person is likely to step in it - dog poo can be left to degrade along side the excrement of sheep, cows, horses and ponies.
Neospora (or Neospora caninum) is a parasite found in dog faeces and cattle can become infected with this parasite by eating grass that has been fouled by dogs. Once infected, a pregnant cow is likely to abort her foetus or to produce a calf that is already infected. Infection has also been shown to give rise to a reduction in milk that's not related to abortion.
Whilst there is no risk to humans eating meat or drinking milk from an infected cow, the economic consequences of even one infection in a herd are significant.
Just one incident of a cow eating some of these eggs can have a huge impact on a whole herd - and a farmer's future livelihood.
If cattle are infected during pregnancy, the result can be abortion, birth of a weak calf or birth of a normal-looking calf that is infected for life. These calves then transmit the parasite across the placenta to all their offspring for the rest of their lives and these offspring are themselves up to seven times more likely to abort.
Once introduced into a herd, the parasite is spread very efficiently to calves and the involvement of dogs is no longer necessary.
Worryingly, it appears that this infection - for which there is no known treatment - is increasing.
We would ask all owners to clear up after their dogs wherever they foul - not just on footpaths.
Obviously this raises the question of what a dog owner can do with the faeces for the duration of the walk - there are not going to be disposal points out on the hills or fells. Perhaps a poo-filled bag dangling from a backpack is a small price to pay?
Toxocariasis is particularly hazardous to small children as it can result in blindness.You might have heard of Toxocariasis, but do you know exactly what it is and how to prevent it? Even if you don't have a dog, make sure you're aware of the risks.
What is Toxocariasis?
Toxocara is the name given to a species of roundworm commonly found in dogs and cats. Virtually all puppies are born with Toxocara. Puppies and kittens can also be infected with Toxocara through their mother's milk or from environmental contamination. The type of toxocara found in dogs can endanger human health. The type of toxocara found in cats has only rarely been associated with cases of Toxocariasis (Toxocara infection).
How is Toxocariasis spread?
Microscopic toxocara eggs are present in the faeces of infected animals. These eggs have thick, sticky shells which means that they can remain infective in the soil for two to four years after the faeces have disappeared. The sticky shell helps eggs to adhere to fingers or clothing.
How do humans become infected with Toxocariasis?
By accidentally swallowing the infective Toxocara eggs. This is why crawling babies and toddlers are most at risk; they tend to put dirty fingers and toys into their mouths. Medical records show that approximately 100 new cases of Toxocariasis are diagnosed each year.
What happens once humans get infected?
Once swallowed, Toxocara eggs release larvae into the intestine. These larvae travel through the body until they die, which may take several years. The symptoms of this disease can be unpleasant and difficult to treat. They can include stomach upset and pain, headache, sore throat, wheezing and listlessness. In some cases they can cause sight problems and in some cases blindness.
Always clear up dog faeces immediately and deposit it in the nearest dog bin or, if at home, in a safe and secure bin.
Neospora parasite in cattle
Responsible dog owners in towns and cities are used to clearing up after their doggie friend. But what about when out on the hills or fells? It's reasonable perhaps to assume that in the wilder outdoors - as long as it's not actually left where a person is likely to step in it - dog poo can be left to degrade along side the excrement of sheep, cows, horses and ponies.
Neospora (or Neospora caninum) is a parasite found in dog faeces and cattle can become infected with this parasite by eating grass that has been fouled by dogs. Once infected, a pregnant cow is likely to abort her foetus or to produce a calf that is already infected. Infection has also been shown to give rise to a reduction in milk that's not related to abortion.
Whilst there is no risk to humans eating meat or drinking milk from an infected cow, the economic consequences of even one infection in a herd are significant.
Just one incident of a cow eating some of these eggs can have a huge impact on a whole herd - and a farmer's future livelihood.
If cattle are infected during pregnancy, the result can be abortion, birth of a weak calf or birth of a normal-looking calf that is infected for life. These calves then transmit the parasite across the placenta to all their offspring for the rest of their lives and these offspring are themselves up to seven times more likely to abort.
Once introduced into a herd, the parasite is spread very efficiently to calves and the involvement of dogs is no longer necessary.
Worryingly, it appears that this infection - for which there is no known treatment - is increasing.
We would ask all owners to clear up after their dogs wherever they foul - not just on footpaths.
Obviously this raises the question of what a dog owner can do with the faeces for the duration of the walk - there are not going to be disposal points out on the hills or fells. Perhaps a poo-filled bag dangling from a backpack is a small price to pay?
