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Cleaning Dog Parasites (Worms) at Home?

Last week I adopted a 3-year-old beagle/chihuahua mix from a local shelter. On Monday, he had an accident (he pooped) on the living room floor while we were sleeping; I cleaned it up and didn't think much of it (that's the only time this has happened). This morning, however, after he did his business outside, I noticed a couple of little white wiggling thingies in his poop; I've taken a sample to the vet and I am expecting results, but I am pretty certain he has parasites. Here's the question: I've read that parasites can survive months (if not years) outside the body and be ingested/inhaled by humans, and I am concerned about having this risk inside my apartment (on top of that, my mom is a cancer survivor with likely permanently weakened immune system). Are household cleaning agents effective? Do I need to use bleach? What about carpets/sofas/etc.?

Public Comments

1. Your dog has round worms. Very common. The vet will worm him and the worms will be gone. As for your concerns about people catching the worms... Its very unlikely a person can inhale the worms. The only way a person can get the worms is if you EAT the dog's poop. You can clean your floors/bathroom/kitchen with bleach and spray some lysol on beds/couches/floors/etc. After cleaning up your dogs poop, wash your hand with soap and water.. also after petting him make sure you wash your hands as well. When the worms are out of his system (after being wormed.. and it might take more than one time for all the worms to be gone.) you wont have any worry.
2. Was it long and stringy, like spaghetti (roundworms)? Or was is small like a rice grain (tape worms)? Yours sounds like tape worms. They are pretty much inevitable when a dog has fleas. The only way to get them is to eat an infested flea, which might happen on accident. You can't really get them from picking up a dog's poop and they do not survive long outside the body. If you see things around your house that look like little sesame seeds...that's them. Pick up the poo right away and if it's in the house use a regular pet stain carpet cleaner... good luck.
3. They are worms. Take your dog to the vet, and get it dewormed. Your vet is your best advice.