Toxocariasis is an illness found in humans that occurs when they are infected with parasitic roundworms, originating from either the fecal matter of dogs (Toxocara canis), or cats (Toxocara cati). Although most people might display symptoms similar to the flu, there are certain instances, where the illness can turn into a more severe form known as Ocular Toxocariasis, that has the potential to cause blindness.
Although Toxocariasis can infect humans, the most common victims are actually children, for two reasons – One being that children have a weaker immune system than adults, and the other being that they are the ones that tend to place their hands on the ground and in the dirt while playing outside.
There’s a lot more bacteria right outside your front door than you would like, particularly if you own a pet. Dogs especially, since they don’t bury their stool, can leave your yard quite a contagious place if not cleaned properly and scooped on a regular basis.
While showing little evidence, parasites can invade your dog’s body, live in his digestive system and produces eggs, which are eventually shed through the feces, contaminating the soil and water sources surrounding it. The eggs become viable embryos after about two to four weeks in the environment, usually in dirt or sand, and survive up to two years due to its high resistance to temperature changes and chemicals. In that time, the embryos can lay up to an alarming 200,000 eggs per day!
A human being can accidentally contract the parasite when touching the ground outdoors following an unintentional touch of the face. The parasite may then enter the mouth, travel down to the intestines, and feed off the host while reproducing. The lesser symptoms this causes may be flu-like such as coughing, fever, headaches, stomachaches, and diarrhea.
Others may have harsher experiences such as migraines, joint pain, and asthma attacks. The body’s responses to the infection is heavily related to their immune system, hypersensitivity to allergens, and the amount of eggs that were ingested.
Sources:
-Google: Things to know before you get a pet
– Doggy Dogg world
