Dog waste is not just gross, it's downright DANGEROUS!
Leaving your dog waste in your back yard is not only unsightly, but it is dangerous for you, your family and your community!  Dog waste (or Doodie) carries bacteria, viruses and parasites that make their ways into your homes, groundwater, parks, lakes, streams and in some cases our loved ones mouths (most often children).  When you leave your pet's doodie sit in your yard, the water from the rains will wash these dangerous parasites into your local waters.  The following are some dangers of these harmful parasites and diseases that are transmitted from your dog's waste.   Call Doodie Call to manage your pet waste today!

Canine Distemper
Canine Distemper is a very serious and often fatal viral illness that affects dogs and other members of the Canidae family; it also infects other animals belonging to the Mustelidae, Procyonidae, Mephitidae, and Felidae Families. Canine Distemper is also known by the term 'Hard Pad'. This is because the Canine Distemper virus often causes enlargement and thickening of the pads of the feet. This is one of the less serious effects of Distemper.  The illness mainly attacks the nervous system of the dog and causes fits and sometimes even paralysis.  The illness can strike a dog at any age. But young, unvaccinated dogs and puppies are most susceptible to Canine Distemper. This is the reason that dog owners are strongly advised to vaccinate their pets at the earliest and keep their dogs isolated until all vaccination shots have been given.

There is no complete cure for Canine Distemper as yet and, in a majority of cases, the illness proves fatal. But, sometimes, if the defensive anti-bodies in a particular dog are strong, the infection is overcome and the animal recovers.  The dogs that survive Distemper often either lose their teeth or their teeth are pitted and brownish in color. (source) 

Coccidia
Coccidia are small protozoans  (one-celled organisms) that live in the intestinal tracts of dogs and cats. They cause disease most commonly in puppies and kittens less than six months of age, in adult animals whose immune system is suppressed, or in animals who are stressed in other ways (e.g.; change in ownership, other disease present).

In dogs and cats, most coccidia are of the genus called Isospora. Isospora canis and I. ohioensis are the species most often encountered in dogs. Regardless of which species is present, we generally refer to the disease as coccidiosis. As a puppy ages, he tends to develop a natural immunity to the effects of coccidia. As an adult, he may carry coccidia in his intestines, and shed the cyst in the feces, but experience no ill effects. 

Although many cases are mild, it is not uncommon to see severe, bloody diarrhea result in dehydration and even death. This is most common in animals who are ill or infected with other parasites, bacteria, or viruses. Coccidiosis is very contagious, especially among young puppies. Entire kennels may become contaminated, with puppies of many age groups simultaneously affected. (source)

Coronavirus
Canine Coronavirus (CCV) is the second leading viral cause of diarrhea in puppies with canine Parvovirus being the leader. Unlike Parvovirus, Coronavirus infections are not generally associated with high death rates. Canine Coronavirus is not new to the canine population; it has been known to exist for decades. Most domestic dogs, especially adults, have measurable Coronavirus antibody titers  indicating that they were exposed to canine Coronavirus at some time in their life. Its importance as an infectious disease and killer of dogs has probably been overestimated by vaccine manufacturers and some veterinary authorities.

Canine Coronavirus is a single stranded RNA type of virus with a fatty protective coating. Because the virus is covered in a fatty membrane, it is relatively easily inactivated with detergent and solvent-type disinfectants. It is spread by virus shedding in the feces of infected dogs.

As previously stated, canine Coronavirus has been widespread among the canine population for many years. Many dogs, especially adults, are either naturally immune and not susceptible, or develop a very mild, oftentimes unnoticeable, case of the disease. Puppies less than twelve weeks of age are at the greatest risk and some especially weaker ones will die if exposed and infected. Most puppies, however, will recover after several days of mild to severe diarrhea. (source)

Giardia
Giardia spp. are parasitic protozoans (single celled organisms) found in the intestines of many animals, including dogs. This microscopic parasite clings to the surface of the intestine or floats free in the mucous lining the intestine.

The prevalence of Giardia in dogs of Alberta is not known. However, rates of 5 to 10 per cent have been suggested. This level is consistent with those reported in surveys from the United States and many other countries. 

Giardia has been reported from dogs with diarrhea and dysentery, it has also been reported in apparently healthy dogs.

Clinical signs usually occur in dogs less than one year of age. But giardiasis may also occur in older dogs, or in animals suffering from other diseases or those undergoing chemotherapy. (source)

Hookworms
Two species of hookworms are parasites in dogs in Alberta. The smaller species, Uncinaria stenocephala (males = 7.0 mm; females = 10.0 mm long) tolerates the cold and is the most common hookworm in dogs in Canada. The second species, Ancylostoma caninum, is larger (males = 11 mm; females 15 mm long), but requires a warmer climate in which to develop. This species is not common in Canada.

The damage done depends on the species and number of hookworms present. The age, nutritional status and natural resistance of the dog are also important factors. Puppies are most severely affected, Dogs usually acquire a natural resistance to infection by 8 to 11 months of age.

Infections with Ancylostoma caninum can cause anemia as a result of blood loss through the intestine. Diarrhea may occur as early as four days post infection. By day eight, fresh blood appears in the stools. Heavily infected puppies may die between 10 to 24 days after infection. Infections with Uncinaria stenocephala are not usually associated with anemia. However, diarrhea may be severe. (source)

Parvovirus
A highly contagious viral illness that usually affects young puppies, parvovirus is transmitted from one dog to another via the infected animal's feces. Parvovirus works by temporarily destroying the lining of the intestinal tract so that very little or no food or liquid can be absorbed. As a result, dogs that become infected with parvovirus may experience bloody diarrhea, severe vomiting, weight loss, and fever. In addition, because parvovirus also affects the immune system, limiting it from producing the white blood cells that protect against infection, dogs with the virus may develop other diseases.

It is rare for an adult dog more than two years of age to get sick from parvovirus. Rather, puppies are the most severely infected by the disease, and without appropriate medical attention, they may not survive the illness. However, there is a vaccine against parvovirus that should be given to puppies as a series early in their lives, and repeated every year thereafter. With appropriate medical attention, most of these dogs will survive, but the cost of treatment is much more expensive than the cost of proper vaccination. In addition, keeping the environment free of feces can deter the spread of parvovirus, as feces can remain infective within grounds for several months.

Often, diagnosis is suspected based on the history and physical exam findings. A complete blood count, which measures the number of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, often will show an insufficient number of white blood cells. A parvovirus test, performed using a fecal sample, shows the presence of the shedding virus in the feces. Occasionally, a false negative result can occur if the virus has not yet begun to shed in the feces; thus, dogs that test negative often are re-tested if the veterinarian suspects parvovirus. (source)

Roundworms
Roundworms are big worms. Typically they are white, about the diameter of a spaghetti-strand and about 4 inches in length.  Often times kittens or puppies vomit one up or we are horrified when we see them in the feces.

Here is where it gets a bit frightening! Roundworm larva have actually blinded young children and caused countless other problems.  The humans most affected are children from early neonatal age to four or five years of age, however any age can be affected. Why is this?  The secret lies in hand-to-mouth ingestion of roundworm eggs.  Lets say the cat uses the sandbox for a litter area.  Kids playing in the sand very easily can pick up eggs on their hands and where do their hands go?  Right in the mouth without being washed.

Once the embryonated roundworm egg reaches the intestine of the human it hatches and the larva penetrates the intestine wall.  From there it gains entry into the blood stream and may end up just about anywhere in the body including vital organs such as the eye, brain, liver, kidneys, heart wall, lungs, etc.  Since humans are an unnatural host for the roundworm larva, their body reacts and walls off the larva in little granuloma's (similar to what occurs in adult dogs and cats).  These granuloma's may cause sudden dysfunction of any of these organs resulting in illness. (source)

Salmonella
Salmonella typhi and paratyphi (as well as Shigella) are strictly human pathogens and domestic animals play no role in the epidemiology of these infections (although non-human primates may be infected and serve as a source for their handlers). All of the other "non-typhoid" Salmonella spp. (Salmonella enterica) are ubiquitously present in the environment and reside in the GI tracts of animals. As such, animals are the ultimate source for virtually all Salmonella. The vast majority of human cases of salmonellosis are, however, acquired not through direct contact with animals, but rather by ingestion of contaminated foods. (source)

Tapeworms
Tapeworms are parasites that require a host and live in the digestive tract of all groups of vertebrates. Dogs harbour several different tapeworms in their intestines. Depending on the species of tapeworm, the adult stage can range in length from a few millimetres to 20 metres. The larval stages of the tapeworms develop in various intermediate hosts and are the source of infection to dogs.

Normally, infections are not harmful to dogs. However, heavy worm burdens may cause inflammation of the intestine, diarrhoea or constipation. Other signs may include gas, vomiting, weight loss, and a dull coat. (source)

Whipworms (Trichuris vulpis, Trichuris campanula)
Whipworm essentially a parasite of the large intestine and cecum, a large pouch that forms the beginning of the large intestine. (The cecum is the equivalent of a human's appendix.) Using its mouth spear much like a sword, it slashes and punctures its way through the intestine, feeding on blood and tissue fluids as it goes. Although it consumes less than the Hookworm, severe infections (> 2,000) can cause a significant anemia. The worms range in size from 1.75 to 3 inches. Canine whipworm is widely distributed throughout North America.  Whipworms can cause anemia as a result of blood loss through the intestine. (source)