Do you live in an area where there are plenty of wild birds, including ducks? Do you regularly walk in the area? If so, you may want to watch your dog to make sure he’s not eating duck poop. This could possibly make him sick.
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Dogs Eating Poo is Normal
While it’s gross to us, dogs eat feces as a part of their normal behavior. This even has a medical term—it’s called coprophagia. There are many reasons that lead dogs to eat feces. Your dog may eat feces because they smell good to him, he may have an underlying medical condition causing changes in his appetite (such as a parasite infection), or it could be caused by a behavioral issue.
No matter the cause, eating any type of feces can make your dog sick, including duck poop.
Duck Poop Can Make Your Dog Sick
Duck feces, and other types of poop, can make your dog sick. When it comes to duck poop, it can be infected with harmful bacteria and parasites. One of the most common parasites found is Emieria spp Emieria spp is a type of parasite known as a coccidia, a single-celled organism that can cause gastrointestinal issues. Thankfully Emieria does affect dogs, though dogs can get other types of coccidial infection elsewhere.
Duck poop can contain other infectious agents such as Salmonella, E.coli, and Campylobacter, which we know are harmful to humans. Dogs are also at risk of contracting these infections, especially if they ingest it.
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Ask a Vet Live NowTreatment For Dogs That Have Eaten Duck Poop
Treatment is only usually required if your dog starts showing clinical symptoms of an infection. Signs could include diarrhea, blood or mucus in the feces, vomiting, and changes in appetite. Your vet might suggest some tests, including fecal samples, to identify what infectious agent is causing the issue. The exact treatment will depend on this result.
In most cases, dogs will recover if they’ve received proper treatment early.
If your dog loves to snack on duck feces, then it’s probably a good idea to talk with the vet about this habit. Your dog may have some underlying health issues that cause him to go for feces in the first place. Your vet will have the best advice on how to deal with this issue.
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Rebecca MacMillan, BVetMed BSAVA PGCertSAM MRCVS
This article has been reviewed and approved by an independent Veterinarian: Rebecca is a companion animal vet who has always had a passion for writing and client communication. Since her graduation from the Royal Veterinary college in 2009 she has gained a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, in both clinical and managerial roles. She currently works in the South West and deals with a variety of routine and emergency appointments, but particularly enjoys medicine cases. Outside of work and writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her bouncy flat coated retriever George!
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