Giardia in Dogs...... what you need to know
To explain Giardia in dogs, first of all you need to know what they are! Giardia are parasites, tiny single-cell organisms (called protozoa) that cause an infection known as Giardiosis (also known as 'Beaver Fever'). These little parasites live in the animals digestive system, attaching themselves to the intestinal walls and developing into cysts which are shed in the feces. Giardi are found all across the US, and also in many other countries, and Giardiosis isn't limited to dogs. It can occur in many other species of animals, both domestic and wild (including Beavers!) Humans can get it too. Giardia are found in streams, lakes and other bodies of water that contain traces of animal feces. Dogs and other animals often catch it by drinking the water or playing in it, but people are more likely to pick it up from swimming, or occasionally from water supplies that have become contaminated by sewage.
Giardia symptomsSymptoms of giardia in dogs aren't always obvious. Many animals and people are 'carriers' of this infection, and are 'asymptomatic', which means that they don't show any outward signs of having the disease.Puppies and other young animals are more likely to get sick from Giardiosis, perhaps when their immune system is weak due to stress or other illness. The most common symptom is of giardia in dogs is puppy diarrhea, and this can be acute, or chronic (meaning can be sudden in onset and severe, or come and go over several weeks but be less severe). The diarrhea is usually very watery and has a strong smell, it may contain blood or mucus. If you have other animals and your puppy has canine giardia, they are also at risk of catching it. A dog who is infected will probably have other symptoms as well as the diarrhea, these can include vomiting,loss of appetite, weight loss, and lethargy.
Treating Giardia in dogs
Your veterinarian can test for Giardiosis by testing a stool sample for the tell-tale cysts that have been shed. But because these cysts are very tiny, and not shed constantly, it's possible to get a negative result even in animals who actually have the disease. If your pup has the symptoms of Giardiosis, and has had the exposure necessary to catch it, your vet may test your pup's stools several times over a period of a few days. There are also blood tests now available to test for Giardia in dogs, and these are far more accurate than testing stool samples. Luckily, treatment of Giardiosis is fairly straightforward. An antiparasitic medication is usually given, and the course of treatment is normally around a week. The most common medication used to treat Giardiosis is Metronidazole (known as Flagyl) and it is usually effective in relieving the symptoms. There are other possible medications that can be used including Fenbendazole (Panacur). Metronidazole shouldn't be given to dogs who are pregnant as it could cause birth defects in the unborn puppies. Make sure to let your vet know if your dog is diagnosed with canine giardia and could be pregnant. The bad news is that these treatments don't always result in a total elimination of the Giardia protozoa in your pups intestines. This means that although your pup is feeling much better, he could still carry the disease and risk passing it on to other animals, or relapse at a later time. There are many things about Giardia in dogs that researchers and veterinarians' still don't fully understand, and testing for this disease can be tricky. But, if your puppy has been treated for Giardiosis, and his symptoms disappear, just be aware that it could show up again later on. There are many different strains of Giardiosis, and just because your puppy has had the disease once, it doesn't mean that he couldn't potentially catch it again. At least you will now be aware and familiar with the symptoms, and will be able to recognize it next time. Giardia in dogs are very hardy little parasites, and eliminating them from your environment can be a challenge. A 1:10 or even 1:5 bleach/water solution is usually effective. So are Lysol, and Quaternary ammonium disinfectants, which are antibacterial cleansers usually used by farmers for bacteria control. Because there's a risk of Giardiosis being transmitted to humans, excellent personal hygiene is recommended if your pup is infected. If you notice any flu-like symptoms, or vomiting/diarrhea in yourself or other members of your family, visit your doctor. Puppy Health
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