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Small risk

From the Penarth Times, first published Thursday 21st Feb 2002.

IN AN article headed "Really Disgusting", in a recent edition of the Penarth Times a Dinas Powys resident quotes "Dog muck can even cause blindness". I would like to correct this statement for the benefit of your readers.

Dog faeces may contain eggs of the round worm Toxicara Canis. These eggs if ingested, may survive and develop into the larval form.

Larvae can migrate to the liver, kidney or other parts of the body where they are unlikely to be detected or cause trouble.

In a tiny percentage of cases an encapsulated larva can lodge at the back of the eye in the retina. It is a very rare for this to happen and the result is partial loss of sight in one eye, not blindness.

Responsible dog owners worm their dogs regularly and always pick up their dog faeces. Sensible adults and children wash their hands before touching food.

The bottom line is, stepping in dog's mess is unpleasant, but it will not cause blindness.

Judith Braeman. St Winifred's Close Dinas Powys

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