Sewage Health Warning!!!!

27 Mar 06 - 05:42 PM (#1704115)
Subject: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: Sorcha

I purposely did NOT put this in BS, it can be moved if necessary.

This is the School of Hard Knocks speaking, so listen up.

IF you have a sewage back up and raw sewage on the floor here is what to do:
Get ALL the mammals OUT ASAP until it is cleaned up. Remove any carpet, rugs, etc that can be tossed, carpet can never be truly sterilized.

Clean anything that can be cleaned with chlorine bleach with a 5 water to 1 bleach solution...if you really want to be safe and can stand the fumes, use full strength bleach.

Any surfaces that can't be bleached (such as carpets) should be cleaned with Lysol, or some other antibacterial as per instructions on the bottle. Spray anything you think even 'might' have been contaminated with an aerosol   Lysol/antibacterial spray.

Wash all throw rugs with either bleach (for whites) or a Lysol thing.

If you can't do all this in one day, then do it as you can, and then spray all the floors (and as high up as the animals could reach) with the antibac. spray.

Don't forget the walls, outside of tub, top of washer and dryer...anywhere your animal could walk.

DO not let them walk in the mess....and YOU wear rubber gloves, and sterilize you shoes and clothes.

Shoe soles can be wiped or sprayed. Please, don't be as sorry as we were.

The above reccomendations come from a pro carpet cleaning service. If you have no Home carpet shampooer, call a pro. Home Owners Insurance.

More as I remember it....

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27 Mar 06 - 05:45 PM (#1704117)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: Sorcha

Oh yes...if you are concerned about poo in the yard, first, scoop or clean litter boxes...and ALL plants can be sprayed with the 5/1 bleach solution, grass and all. Won't hurt them a bit.

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27 Mar 06 - 05:54 PM (#1704121)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: Sorcha

And, a strong enough bleach solution will also kill most virii....but not the computer kind! :)

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27 Mar 06 - 06:04 PM (#1704130)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: Sorcha

Don't forget crate pads, crates.....ANYTHING they might walk on or have walked or are able to touch....

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27 Mar 06 - 07:14 PM (#1704169)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: katlaughing

Sorcha, thanks so much. Hard way to learn this, darlin'...know that you have saved others who didn't know until now, through your sorrow.

luvyakat

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27 Mar 06 - 07:20 PM (#1704170)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: Sorcha

Food bowls! Sunlight is bacteria's worst enemy....people bedding.

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27 Mar 06 - 07:47 PM (#1704184)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: SINSULL

Storm of the Century and the NEW sewers backed up into the co-op's basment. We lost three elevators and all the basement apartments. Holy Shit! You have my sympathy, Sorch. Been a tough month all 'round for you. Sorry.
SINS

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27 Mar 06 - 09:06 PM (#1704232)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: Sorcha

And ref fungi/mould.....there are many specific fungicidals out there but the ONLY thing that will kill ALL fungi is high intenstity ozone treatment....you have to call a Haz Mat cleaning company.

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27 Mar 06 - 09:58 PM (#1704273)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: Sorcha

Ps....the labs are back...E coli and enterococci....latter is VERY resistant to antibiotics, but chlorine bleach will kill it. If you even SUSPECT you or your pets have walked in 'nasties' wipe down esp hands and feet with a 10% bleach solution.

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27 Mar 06 - 10:26 PM (#1704286)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: JudyB

Thanks for sharing the information - must admit it never would have occurred to me that it could be lethal as well as yucky! And I wouldn't begin to know what to do if it ever happened.

And please do be careful - Garg's bedside manner might be a bit shaky, but the tiny type warning makes sense to me - I'd be pestering my doctor for as many blood tests as possible.

Thoughts are with you.

JudyB

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27 Mar 06 - 10:37 PM (#1704295)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: Sorcha

Well, doh.....the fumes from the full stregnth stuff aren't too cool either

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27 Mar 06 - 10:47 PM (#1704306)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: Bert

I think that you're overdoing the bleach a little there Sorchieluv.

When I had a job in the food industry one time we used a couple of tablespoons per gallon.

A 10% solution would play havoc with a pet's paws.

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27 Mar 06 - 11:08 PM (#1704325)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: Sorcha

Not if you rinsed well after....but, bottom line, just be CAREFUL. I meant 10% bleach, 90% water....depends on what you are dealing with.

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27 Mar 06 - 11:52 PM (#1704343)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: Jeri

CDC recommends 1/2 cup bleach per gallon of water. Granted, "Flooded Private Sewage Systems: Safety, Sanitation And Clean-Up Concerns" is talking about cleaning up basements in which sewage backed up because of a flood. You get to a certain concentration of bleach, and it won't be any more effective above that.

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28 Mar 06 - 01:24 AM (#1704362)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: Peace

"Clean blood or bodily fluids with a diluted bleach solution (mix 9 parts water to 1 part fresh bleach)" [for Hep B]

"Condoms might be disposed of in a bedside container of 1 part bleach/ 9 parts water solution" [for HIV]

"To kill bacteria [Staphylococcus aureus (staph)/ Klebsiella pneumoniae] in laundry, add ¾ cup of Clorox® Regular-Bleach to a standard size washer following the laundry use directions."

"Mix a solution of 1-cup bleach to 10 cups water or use a household disinfectant that kills viruses." [hantavirus]

"Thoroughly wet contaminated areas with a hypochlorite (bleach) solution or household disinfectant. A bleach solution can be made by mixing 1½ cups of household bleach in 1 gallon of water. (Note: bleach solution is an irritant and should not be used on humans or live animals. Care should be used to avoid splashing when mixing the solution.)" [Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome]

IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE: "Bleach solutions need to be made fresh daily. Once diluted, bleach breaks down quickly (mainly into salt and water)."

It is also noted above that household bleach (the stuff you use in laundry) directly on flesh is not good. However, I think we have all done that to our hands at one time or another. Dogs have pores in the pads of their feet, so washing the feet with a bleach solution won't harm the dog extensively provided the feet are washed within a few minutes minutes in soap and water then rinsed. Probably a good thing that after your pet has been in sewage, wash the whole dog in warm soapy water, and pay special attention to feet and the body parts they seem to like paying attention to.

Thanks for starting this thread, Sorcha. It's important. I too am sorry the enlightenment for so many of us came because of a great loss to you and yer hubby.

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28 Mar 06 - 12:52 PM (#1704799)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: Bert

Thanks for that info Peace,

BTW, the bleach we used in England was chlorine but here in the US it's some sort of hypochlorite which is not nearly so fierce and used to be marketed in England as Milton.

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28 Mar 06 - 11:20 PM (#1705256)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: GUEST

Gargoyle is right

What is the subject?

Why are you posting this?

What sort of disease is involved? HIV? Hep-A,B,C, Cholora, Typhus, Bird Flu, West Nile?

Did the sewage come from youselves or unknown neighbors?

If it can kill dogs it can kill you also. But the dogs seem to be OK?

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28 Mar 06 - 11:37 PM (#1705272)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: wysiwyg

IT KILLED HER DOGS. There's been a thread running about that aspect of it.

~Susan

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29 Mar 06 - 10:51 AM (#1705663)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: Sorcha

Thanks, whiz, but it seems some people just can't be bothered to actually read.......

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30 Mar 06 - 08:14 PM (#1707092)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: GUEST

Surprising the cats lived and the dogs died. Dogs eat cat crap all the time and doesn't seem to bother them one bit. It fact, it is surprising the dog food makers don't use cat crap for a flavor. Dogs roll in the stuff of other dogs. They eat hobo dung along with the newspaper by the side of train tracks.

Maybe your dogs died of something else and it was just a coincidence. Did you request an autopsy?

Homeowners insurance might replace your dogs if they were young enough and had papers.

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30 Mar 06 - 09:28 PM (#1707124)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: Sorcha

Of course we did necropsies, and yes it is surprising....very. E coli and enterococus.....and we have papers, but I doubt the ins will cover...I can ask tho...thanks.

Brought Gilley's ashes home today...sad day...but they are together again on my dresser. Will bury them when the lilac blooms. They were 7 and 8...not old.

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30 Mar 06 - 09:50 PM (#1707136)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: JudyB

For those who want to read the story from the beginning, please check out the threads Sorch Needs MudPower which is about Annie, the first of the dogs to develop symptoms, and Obit: Sorch's Gilley Dog. Annie died in late February and Gilley about three weeks later.

A number of us here had been following those threads, but I can see how this could be confusing for someone who opened this thread without being familiar with the other two.

Sorcha, I apologize for the pain I may be causing by posting the links, and I'm hoping that having them here will make it easier for those who have questions to go back and see if they've already been answered in one of the other threads.

My thoughts are with you.
JudyB

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30 Mar 06 - 10:13 PM (#1707151)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: bobad

Was the E.Coli and enterococcus found in the blood or some other organ?

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30 Mar 06 - 11:53 PM (#1707210)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: GUEST,.gargoyle

Bad idea - dumping their remains in the bushes. Horrible Karma!!!

Find a fine-crafted potter in your local area. Allow them to mix the ash with clay and let their imagination hand-craft two beautiful vases to sit on the shelf and hold flowers in the spring and to look noble in the winter.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

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30 Mar 06 - 11:59 PM (#1707219)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: Stilly River Sage

If the bushes were a favorite shady hangout for the pooches, I think you'd have a good spot. It's all in the sentiment with which you approach the task, Garg. It wouldn't hurt to throw a few amendments on the soil while you're at it.

SRS

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31 Mar 06 - 12:04 AM (#1707227)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: Once Famous

This thread is for shit. Literally.

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31 Mar 06 - 01:29 AM (#1707268)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: Sorcha

Garg, that is the very first NICE thing you have ever said to me, and I thank you for it...it is a good idea. And, Maggie, nothing can cause us more pain than we have already dealt with...no prob with the links.

bobdad....stomach, gut, liver, kidneys...etc...as in everywhere....

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31 Mar 06 - 10:54 PM (#1707972)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: Sorcha

Actually, I have no prob with the above...yes, they were 'just dogs' and we are getting over it, but even if they were 'just dogs' they were Family and we miss them. The biggest point to all this is the sewer. And yes that is where we have the Prob..they were counting on us, and we failed them. We/I DO try to help others....

Garg, I'm SURE you are off your meds....you are actually almost being a kind human and making sense....(grin)

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31 Mar 06 - 11:21 PM (#1707984)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: Sorcha

PS...why do you think I started this thread if not to help others??? And, they DO TO have souls... but how would either of us really know? Or are YOU God?????

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01 Apr 06 - 07:29 PM (#1708498)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: GUEST

Scenario:
Toilet/Sewer overflows (you do not live in New Orleans)
Dogs walk through it
Dogs get deadly E. Coli infection
OUCGH!!!
For personal family safety you are sterilizing the house

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01 Apr 06 - 09:16 PM (#1708548)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: Sorcha

Of course I am!!!

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01 Apr 06 - 10:02 PM (#1708567)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: Once Famous

I don't care if I hold the record for the most deleted posts. Someone reads them usually before they are deleted. And worse case the person who who deleted them has read it.

Either way, I got through to someone and got my point across. Either way, someone has their undies in a bunch over it, and if they can't deal with someone's take on something or someone's comments, I say who are they really to be so judgemental?

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01 Apr 06 - 11:08 PM (#1708607)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: LadyJean

I just had my stack snaked, oh the joys of homeownership. I had the shower drain fixed, so it doesn't leak into the kitchen, but the rest of the drains backed up and my one and only toilet quit flushing. It was an impressive mess. Your advice is actually useful, especially as the sewer cleaners assure me it can happen again, as there is "something weird" in the drain.
My sister's rottweiller died from drinking Chicago river water. This was the same dog that survived eating the neck off of a glass salad dressing bottle. I didn't mourn the beast. He took chunks out of people. But my sister adored him. (He only bit men. As she's gay, this wasn't as much of a problem as it might have been, though the dog did bite a lawyer once.)

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01 Apr 06 - 11:10 PM (#1708609)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: Peace

"the dog did bite a lawyer once.)"

Uh huh . . . .

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01 Apr 06 - 11:41 PM (#1708620)
Subject: RE: Sewage Health Warning!!!!
From: Sorcha

LOL! Exactly why I posted it, Jean...at least I may have saved one or two.



PS...Biting lawyers is NOT good...but when your lawyers' dog bites YOU....you get a discount....been there, done that too, LOL!

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