Giardiasis in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
What Is Giardiasis in Dogs?
Giardia is a tiny protozoan parasite that causes an intestinal infection called giardiasis. It is typically mistaken for worms, bacteria, or viruses, although it is actually a simple single-celled organism.
Giardiasis is a common disease that can affect both humans and animals. However, it’s important to note that many infected dogs don't show any symptoms of illness, such as vomiting or diarrhea.
Giardiasis in dogs spreads via fecal-contaminated food, drink, or dirt. You should also be aware that your diseased pup may transmit the giardiasis infection to you, so you should take extra precautions.
In this article, you'll learn everything you need to know about dog giardiasis, so you can help your furry friend recover as soon as possible.
Symptoms of Giardiasis in Dogs
If infected with Giardia, your pup may experience lots of watery diarrhea. Diarrhea is the most common symptom of giardiasis in dogs, but it can also be accompanied by other digestion problems and symptoms, such as:
Decreased appetite
Excess foul-smelling gas
Decrease in energy
Frequent urges to poop
Weight loss
Bloody stool
It's important to note that some dogs can carry Giardia in their intestines without displaying any symptoms, making it difficult to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic cases. This highlights the significance of maintaining good hygiene when handling your pup's feces, as healthy-looking dogs can still be carriers of giardiasis.
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Causes of Giardiasis in Dogs
Giardia cysts, which serve as protective coverings enabling the parasite to survive outside a host, can be found worldwide, spanning various regions.
To contract giardiasis, your pup must ingest these cysts by drinking water or eating food that carries the cysts, but they can also catch it from ingesting infected feces directly by eating poop from the ground.
However, you should remember that your pup doesn't have to directly eat poop to catch giardiasis.
Sometimes, only sniffing other dogs' hind ends, or subsequently licking their nose can be enough to contract giardiasis.
Another potential source of infection is contaminated soil and plants.
Dogs that hunt and consume animals infected with the parasite may also contract the disease from such encounters.
How is Giardiasis in Dogs Diagnosed?
When suspecting giardiasis, your vet will first review your pup's medical records and do a complete physical exam to evaluate his general health, hydration, and any gas or intestinal pain indications.
They will also analyze a stool sample for Giardia-specific antigens using tests that can be conducted either in-clinic or sent to a reference laboratory.
In addition, your veterinarian might advise the following tests:
A parvovirus test to rule out the presence of this highly dangerous virus as a potential cause
A rapid snap test or a microscope analysis that can be done in a veterinary clinic
an examination of the feces to screen for other common intestinal parasites
Other protozoan parasites, like Coccidia, Cryptosporidia, and Toxoplasma, can also cause intestinal diseases, which is why your vet will need to take tests and find out the real issue.
Treatment of Giardiasis in Dogs
The primary medications your vet will prescribe to eliminate Giardia are Fenbendazole (Panacur) or Metronidazole, an antibiotic. If necessary, both medications may be given in combination.
It may take multiple rounds of treatment to eliminate the infection and prevent reinfection since removing Giardia from your house can be challenging. However, in many cases, one round of treatment is sufficient.
The treatment approach may also vary depending on your pup's condition. Since Giardia can cause dehydration and severe diarrhea in some dogs, additional medications might be prescribed.
All infected pets should be re-tested two to four weeks after completion of treatment.
How Can I Help My Dog Recover From Giardiasis?
When dealing with your pup's giardiasis, there are several additional steps you can take to ensure a successful outcome of a treatment process.
Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Home
Thoroughly cleaning your house is essential to eliminate any remaining Giardia cysts from the environment.
Pay particular attention to areas where your pooch spends time, such as bedding, blanket, and toys. Washing all of the laundry your pup sleeps and lays on with hot water and disinfectant detergent can help minimize the risk of reinfection. Remember to always make sure that the disinfectant you're using is dog-safe.
Don't forget to promptly pick up your dog's poops and dispose of them, especially if your dog poops in your yard.
Bathing Your Dog
Bathing your pooch on the first and last day of therapy can help further remove any Giardia cysts from their coat. Use a gentle, pet-friendly shampoo to clean your pup's fur thoroughly.
Probiotics and Proper Diet
Providing a highly digestible diet during the treatment period is extremely important.
It will help alleviate loose stools and help your pup recover better.
It would help if you also considered incorporating probiotics into your furry friend's diet, as these beneficial bacteria can support gut health and improve the overall effectiveness of the treatment.
Boosting Your Dog's Immunity
Focusing on boosting your pup's immunity when infected with Giardia is crucial.
A robust immune system plays a vital role in fighting off the Giardia infection, and Giardia itself can greatly damage your pup's immunity. Since these little parasites love weakened immunity, they can be extremely persistent and just won't leave your pup alone.
Healthy immunity is Giardia's worst enemy, so giving your furry friend immunity-boosting supplements can play a big part in fighting Giardia off.
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Can My Dog Infect Me With Giardia?
Giardia can be transmitted from dogs to humans. Contaminated water supplies and human-to-human transmission are common sources of infection.
If your pup has giardiasis, practice good personal hygiene to prevent spreading it to you or your family. Since Giardia cysts are vulnerable to drying, maintaining a dry (and clean) environment is very important.
Giardiasis is a highly contagious condition that can be challenging to eliminate from your home, so you should take it seriously and closely follow your vet's guidelines for therapy.
Boosting your pup's immune system, giving them regular baths, feeding them a nutritious diet, and maintaining a clean household all play a big part in their recovery.
Remember always to be cautious about what your pup consumes outdoors and avoid drinking from rainwater sources.
Lastly, be extra careful if your furry friend interacts with other dogs - we don't want to spread the infection to other puppies!
You may be interested in these articles:
Dog Diarrhea: How to Help Your Pooch
Gastritis in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
