Feeling very anxious about dog poo

[MrsEricBana]

I'm feeling really anxious about this - been to friends' house today, all had lunch together, children aged 2-9 played in garden pretty much unsupervised before and after lunch (mine are aged 6 and 9). They were doing all the usual running, climbing etc and spent ages digging in a flower bed - all good fune etc. Did wash hands before lunch as muddy. Came home and just now went to clean their muddy shoes and realised that actually caked in dog poo (I remembered that the family let the dog poo in garden and don't clear it - is a smallish but rambling garden over several levels where would not be especially unsightly). Anyway, now panicking about the whole dog poo, toxocara, blindness thing. I don't have a dog and don't know the full facts about this, but the thought of them playing in dog poo filled garden all day has really freaked me out. Any thoughts gratefully received, thanks.

[geraldinetheluckygoat]

I dont know about the toxocara, but I sympathise with you, this would freak me out too. What are your friends thinking? Aside from anything else, surely they must get poo trodden into the house?
I would think your dc's would be fine, I think it only is harmful if they actually physically rub it in their eyse (eg if they fell over in poo, cried and then rubbed eyes). Hope someone who is more helpful is along soon...

[MrsEricBana]

Thanks geraldine, feeling really awful about this. I thought if got poo / soil with poo in on their hands then got it in their mouths when later eat, suck fingers or whatever that the bugs could get into their systems and ultimately eyes that way, though not sure. They did give their hands a quick wash before eating but not convinced was very thorough and ds did have dirty nails tonight so I cut them. Horrible.

[geraldinetheluckygoat]

try not to worry. Have had a very quick look online at one site which says toxocara can be injested, but it looks like it can be treated. I could be totally wrong as Ive only had a very quick look (and internet isn't always the font of all knowlege, lol), but it does say you can get a blood test to check if you think you have the infection. Maybe a visit to the GP might put your mind at rest. I feel for you, I hate dog poo, it makes my blood boil when I see it in the street.

I wonder if your friends dogs could transmit toxocara, wouldnt their kids have been infected? Is it something that all dog poo contains, or only poo from infected dogs?

Im off to bed now, but good luck, try not to worry, im sure they will be fine. I owuld bump this tomorrow so someone more helpful can hopefully put your mind at rest

[TigerDrivesAgain]

I think you should scrub everything if you feel like it, then not worry. They are probably treading in much worse things every day!, but you don't see it, so dont worry about it. They'll be fine.

[minimu]

If the dogs had been wormed regulary they would not have toxocara so there may be no need to worry at all.

"the Eggs which are swallowed can hatch into larvae in humans but will not develop
into adult worms. However, these tiny larvae will travel around the body ? usually
causing no problems. Very rarely though, they can settle in particularly sensitive
tissue such as the retina of the eye, where they may cause damage or even
blindness. Each year about 50 cases involving eye damage are recorded.
Although this number is small, the effects upon individuals are traumatic and it is
prudent to take precautions."

All dog owners must worm their dogs regularly it is so easy to do and prevents all this worry.

I would be cautious but not overally worried but you can get a blood test if you need to put your mind at rest.

[MrsEricBana]

Thank you for your replies. That has made me feel a bit better - I do think it is an otherwise well cared for and much loved dog so probably is regularly wormed. Also, as Tiger says, there are probably same or similar nasties trodden in every time we go out but not seen as clearly as this was. I think I will ask our pharmacist about it later. Thanks again