Keeping Dogs Inside Living Areas & Risk of Hydatid Disease (Echinococcosis) Hydatid disease is caused by a parasite (Echinococcus granulosus) spread through dog feces. Dogs get infected by eating raw infected organs (especially liver/lungs) of livestock. Infected dogs shed microscopic eggs in their stool, which can contaminate floors, hands, food, water, and the environment. Humans accidentally swallow these eggs → cysts can form in the liver, lungs, brain, heart, etc. Keeping dogs inside bedroo