Parvo - Canine parvovirus / CPV-2

A highly contagious, extremely hardy, chemical resistant virus common among dogs and wolves.  Parvo is capable of surviving in the environment for up to two years, and is spread between dogs by coming into direct or indirect contact with their feces.  Early signs of infection include vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, fever, and possibly bloody diarrhea.  Puppies under 6 months of age, older unvaccinated dogs, dogs under stress, and dogs with a concurrent parasitic infection are most susceptible; this is the reason young puppies are not to be taken outside for potty breaks in common areas during travel.  CPV-2 mortality rates can reach 91% in untreated cases and will require veterinary care, often hospitalization. 

Long, tube-shaped parasitic worms that infect people and animals.  Roundworms are one of the most common parasites found in dog waste, and can attack human lungs, liver, eyes, and the central nervous system.  Typical symptoms of roundworm infection include abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, blood in stool.  A recent CDC study found 14% of Americans tested positive for roundworms.

Whip shaped worms that live in the large intestine.  Human symptoms include bloody diarrhea, painful or frequent defecation, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fecal incontinence.  Whipworms are estimated to infect 429 to 508 million humans worldwide. 

Commonly spread to humans through the skin when walking barefoot on contaminated soil.  Initial sign of infection is a painful or itchy rash.  Later symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, anemia, and can also slow the physical and cognitive growth of children.  406 to 480 million humans are affected by hookworm infection worldwide. 

Coming in contact with animal feces can spread tapeworms to humans.  Human Echinococcosis often affects the brain, muscles, and visceral organs.  Although generally not fatal, echinococcosis may require surgery to remove cysts. 

A microscopic parasite that causes severe abdominal discomfort, stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea, nausea, and fatigue.  Giardiasis can cause serious complications in children, including chronic diarrhea, malnutrition, and delayed mental and physical development. 

A very common cause of food poisoning, producing fever, stomach pain, loss of appetite, and gastroenteritis, with some patients developing a potentially life-threatening condition known as hemolytic uremic syndrome, causing decreased urination frequency, extreme lethargy, and a pale appearance due to anemia.  Young children and older adults have a greater risk of developing a life-threatening form of kidney failure from certain strains.  Studies have shown an 8 to 35% mortality rate from E. coli infections. 

Not only found in under-cooked food, but also found in pet waste.  Symptoms include stomach cramps, fever, and diarrhea.

Illness caused by the bacteria Campylobacter - often called a stomach bug with symptoms including dehydration, bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping, fever, nausea, vomiting, and headache.  Longer term complications include bacteraemia, hepatitis, pancreatitis, miscarriage, reactive arthritis, and neurological disorders such as Guillain-Barré syndrome.