Dog Poop?

[ThreeWBs]

Hello all,

I have just been offered a neighbours 3-acre field to graze. Only issue is that it was previously used as a ‘doggy day care’ facility for around 10 dogs for 3 months, up until November last year (no dogs since).

I don’t know if it was cleared of dog poo while they were using it, but I can’t see any evidence of it now.

Would it be safe to graze?

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Parasites in dog faeces can be harmful to livestock, but I don't know how long the parasites would live in the soil after the dogs have left.

 

[AmyMay]

Have you had any hard frosts??

 

[Orangehorse]

Ask the vet?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

We use a secure dog field. Clients are asked to clear up after their dogs because cattle may graze there. Tbh, I doubt that is the case now because it would probably be too.much bother to fence another field for the dog business. However this is farm diversification and it doesn't sound as if they have long term concerns for the grazing. A friend is also allowed to exercise her dogs on a neighbouring field so long as there are no cattle in there. The concern is for neurosporosis which causes abortion in cattle and is carried in faeces from infected dogs. I would think that if the field has been cleaned and no dogs have been in recently the grazing would be fine. I have not heard of horses being infected but, of course, clean grazing is preferable.

 

[skinnydipper]

'Neospora caninum is a recently discovered, apicomplexan, coccidial protozoan that causes abortion in many mammals including cattle, goats, horses and sheep. Some evidence also indicates association of this organism with neonatal neurological and neuromuscular disease in mammals such as dogs, cattle, sheep and deer.'

https://www.zoologix.com/horse/Datasheets/NeosporaCaninum.htm

'Neospora oocysts have an impervious shell that enables survival in soil and water for prolonged periods after canine feces have decomposed'

Neosporosis in Animals - Generalized Conditions - MSD Veterinary Manual

Learn about the veterinary topic of Neosporosis in Animals. Find specific details on this topic and related topics from the MSD Vet Manual.

www.msdvetmanual.com

 

[Jenko109]

It would not have even crossed my mind

 

[Abacus]

If you harrowed it, it might break up any remaining poo so that it disappears more quickly into the soil. If it has been a while then I wouldn’t worry about it. Frankly my own dogs poo in our fields and I don’t clean it up, relatively small volumes though.

 

[ThreeWBs]

Have you had any hard frosts??

Yes, we’ve had one or two hard frosts.

 

[Clodagh]

I absolutely cannot imagine it being a problem.

 

[santas_spotty_pony]

If you harrowed it, it might break up any remaining poo so that it disappears more quickly into the soil. If it has been a while then I wouldn’t worry about it. Frankly my own dogs poo in our fields and I don’t clean it up, relatively small volumes though.

Was going to say the same - ours poo in our fields when we walk them and we don’t clean it up but the fields are big and it soon breaks down.

 

[marmalade76]

If there's been plenty of rain (there certainly has here!) and a good frost it will probably be fine.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Id comb the field and pick up anything, imagine your horse rolling in it it would be honking