There are still many things that veterinarians don’t know about giardia and infections in dogs. Giardia are actually protozoans — single celled organisms. It’s not uncommon for them to be in the intestines of many animals, including dogs. However, we don’t know just how common giardia is.
Giardia is a parasite. It attaches itself to the lining of the intestine. It can also float free along the lining of the intestine. Some dogs are asymptotic — that is they never show any symptoms. Other dogs will develop symptoms related to a giardia infection. And we don’t know why that is either.
Giardia is usually most dangerous for puppies. The infection can manifest itself as diarrhea and bloody or mucousy stool. Other symptoms associated with giardia include weight loss, listlessness and poor appetite.
A puppy or dog may have a long-term, low grade giardia infection and, when he become stressed for some reason the infection can flare up and become very serious. This means that giardia can linger for a long time.
Giardia exists in two stages: the swimming, feeding stage in your dog’s intestine and the cyst stage that passes through his feces and which is deposited on the ground. These cysts can survive for several months outside the body if there is enough moisture present. If your dog ingests them again, or if another dog ingests them, then the cycle begins all over. This makes giardia very hard to get rid of once it’s on your property.
It’s always important to pick up after your dogs but it’s especially so if you suspect that one of your dogs has a giardia infection. This will help prevent your dog, or one of your other dogs, from becoming infected with the organism.
It is suspected that giardia may also be passed to humans.
If your dog is experiencing ongoing problems with diarrhea, especially if there is bloody or mucousy stool, you should see your vet. Your vet can confirm a diagnosis of giardia by checking your dog’s stool for signs of the giardia cysts. Cysts are only passed occasionally so your vet may need to do 2-3 fecal exams to find evidence of the giardia infection.
If your dog does have giardia then your vet will probably treat the infection with metronidazole or quinacrine. These are the two anti-protozoal drugs most often recommended for dealing with a giardia infection.
Puppies are most at risk of becoming dehydrated from the diarrhea associated with giardia. However, with good veterinary care your puppy or dog should recover from this infection. If you have other dogs it’s a good idea for all of them to be treated whether they are showing symptoms of giardia or not. You will also need to thoroughly rake up even the smallest traces of fecal matter from your property so your dogs can’t become re-infected.
It’s very important to prevent your dogs from sampling manure samples from other animals, including cows and horses. Many animals may carry strains of giardia and your dog may pick them up when he noses around in them.
Although this is the course of action when giardia can be determined, there are many times when your dog may have diarrhea and the cause is unknown. Your vet may be unable to make a definite diagnosis. Giardia may be suspected but your vet may be unable to confirm it. In cases like these you should follow your vet’s best advice. He may decide to treat your dog for a bacterial infection or not treat the diarrhea at all. As long as your dog improves, that’s what really matters.
Giardia In Dogs courtesy Dog Articles.
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