Can my dog get sick from poop in a Gresham, OR yard?
Yes. Several common parasites and viruses spread through dog poop, and some of them stay in the soil long after the pile is gone. A dog can even reinfect itself from its own waste. Here's what spreads, what to watch for, and how to break the cycle.
The short answer: yes, even from its own poop
Poop left in the yard can make your dog sick. Worm eggs, giardia and viruses like parvo pass out in the waste, and a dog picks them up again by sniffing, licking its paws, eating grass or eating poop. That is why a dog treated for worms or giardia can come down with them again weeks later: the yard is still holding them.
What can a dog catch from poop in the yard?
- Roundworms. The most common intestinal worm in dogs. The eggs become infective after they have been in the soil for a while, and they can survive there for years.
- Whipworms. Their eggs are very hardy and can stay in soil for years, which makes them hard to get rid of once a yard has them.
- Hookworms. The larvae live in soil and can enter through the skin of the paws, not only by mouth.
- Giardia. A parasite that causes diarrhea. It is infective as soon as it is passed and survives well in the cool, damp conditions Oregon has most of the year.
- Parvovirus. A serious virus, most dangerous to puppies and unvaccinated dogs. It can survive in the environment for months.
Can a dog reinfect itself?
Yes, and it is one of the most common reasons treatment does not seem to work. The medicine clears the parasites inside the dog, but if the yard still holds eggs or cysts, the dog picks them up again. Vets often recommend picking up poop right away during and after treatment for this reason. Ask your vet what they recommend for your dog.
Dogs that eat poop. Some dogs eat their own poop or another dog's. It is common, especially in puppies, and it is the fastest way for a parasite to move from the yard back into a dog. A clean yard removes the opportunity.
Signs to watch for
- Diarrhea, especially if it keeps coming back
- Vomiting
- Weight loss, or a puppy with a round, swollen belly
- Scooting, or worms visible in the poop
- Low energy or a dull coat
If you see any of these, call your vet. A fecal test is the only way to know which parasite you are dealing with, and many vets recommend one at every yearly checkup.
Which dogs are most at risk?
Puppies, older dogs, dogs with other health problems, and homes with more than one dog, where one dog can pass something to the others. Yards that visiting dogs use are also at higher risk.
How to break the cycle
- Pick up poop at least once a week, and more often while a dog is being treated, as your vet advises.
- Bag it and put it in the trash. Never compost dog waste. See what happens to the poop.
- Keep up with your vet's parasite prevention and vaccines, including parvo.
- Wash your hands after yard work, and keep kids' play areas clean. Our article on the health risks of dog waste covers what it means for people.
We sanitize our equipment between yards, so nothing travels from one dog's yard to the next. For most homes, weekly scooping is enough to keep the yard from becoming a reservoir.