How Parasites From Dog Poop Infect Humans

The way most canine borne diseases are transferred is through contact with contaminated waste from another dog. Unfortunately dogs use their well developed sense of smell for many things, one of which is smelling the poop of another dog. This is when parasites do a dog-to-dog transfer.

The majority of both bacterial and parasitic infections occurring in dogs are caused by a type of pest that cannot live in the human body. That's because for these particular life forms the temperature and other conditions that exist in a dog's body are the perfect host for them. Unfortunately humans are susceptible to some parasites which are transmittable from their "best friends". These parasites can create infection in humans and can cause serious harm which at its worst can even mean death for an unsuspecting dog owner.

The tapeworm is one of the more common parasites that can infect a person. Tapeworms are transferred to a person through dog waste. They can create problems for a person but fortunately are not fatal. Tapeworms are flatworms which live either in a person's digestive tract or that of a dog.

Hookworms are among the worst of the parasites which can be contracted when you come in contact with dog poop. This often happens when you walk around barefoot, in an area where dogs are present. Hookworms get access to your body by tunnelling in through the skin. The resulting infection can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss.

E. Coli is the bacteria found most often in a dog's fecal matter. It is the bacteria responsible for causing food poisoning which often results in severe cases of vomiting and diarrhea.

Even if you're reluctant to pick up dog poop, you should be aware that parasites such as roundworms and hookworms can be present even after the poop is removed from the area. But by picking it up right away there is less chance that the area will be contaminated. Parasites can remain in the grass or soil where a dog did his business even after the poop has been removed, and can then be transferred to a human host or to another dog. So when your dog pops, or there is poop left behind by another dog, be sure to bag up the waste. This will ensure that both you and your pets remain infection free.

To be as safe as possible always avoid contact with dog waste (a no brainer) and wash your hands after every time you hand something that might have made contact with dog poop.

Jackie is a former Veterinarian Technician who advocates for the safe handling of dog poop through the use of earth friendly biodegradable dog poop bags. She currently writes for http://www.discountdogpoopbags.com/ which supplies North Americans with inexpensive waste solutions!

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