All four of Andy and Jennifer Braudway's dogs contracted a potentially fatal waterborne parasite after visiting a Harris County dog park, and the West Harris County couple is urging Spring-area pet owners to keep their dogs out of freshwater features at any park.
Texas A&M confirmed the Braudways' dogs tested positive for Heterobilharzia americana, a snail-transmitted parasite that causes canine schistosomiasis, Fox 26 Houston reported Wednesday, Aug. 19. The couple believes their dogs picked up the parasite at Congressman Bill Archer Dog Park, a 17-acre off-leash facility at 3201 State Highway 6 North managed by Harris County Precinct 4.
"The dogs are miserable the whole time," Andy Braudway told Fox 26. "It's a month of hard times."
The Braudways say they know of at least two other pet owners who believe their dogs also caught the parasite at the same park.
What dog owners should know
The parasite's microscopic larvae live in freshwater snails. Dogs become infected when the larvae penetrate their skin during contact with ponds, creeks or standing water. Raccoons are the parasite's natural host, according to the Companion Animal Parasite Council, but dogs can also carry it.
Symptoms include bloody diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, lethargy and increased thirst. Some infected dogs show no symptoms at all. No preventative treatment exists, and dogs can contract the parasite more than once. Treatment with a combination of praziquantel and fenbendazole is not always effective and typically requires multiple rounds.
The Braudways warned the risk is not limited to parks. Any standing water with snails, including a backyard pond, could harbor the parasite.
Precinct 4 says water tests came back clean
Harris County Precinct 4 said it tests water quality in its dog ponds quarterly and conducted additional testing after concerns were raised. The results confirmed the water meets all safety standards, a spokesperson said in a statement.
The county's statement did not address whether standard water quality tests screen specifically for the parasite or for snail populations.
Residents with questions about Precinct 4 parks can contact the Constituent Service Center at 832-927-4444 or [email protected].
