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Giardia in dogs

Giardia in dogs

WHAT YOU WILL READ IN THE TEXT:

What are the symptoms of giardiasis in dogs?
Causes of giardiasis in dogs
How is giardia diagnosed in dogs?
Treatment of giardiasis in dogs
How can I help my dog recover faster from giardiasis?
Can my dog transmit giardiasis to me?

 

Giardia is a single-celled intestinal parasite that causes an intestinal infection known as giardiasis. Giardiasis is a common problem in dogs because it spreads easily and quickly, usually through food, water or soil contaminated with faeces.

Being an intestinal infection, giardiasis causes various digestive problems in dogs. However, many infected dogs show no symptoms of the disease.

It is also important to note that besides dogs, other animals and humans can also become infected with Giardia, so extra caution is needed.

Below you will find everything you need to know about Giardia in dogs, so you can rid your pet of this nasty parasite as soon as possible.

What are the symptoms of giardiasis in dogs?
If your pet is infected with giardia, he may often suffer from watery diarrhoea. Diarrhoea is the most common symptom of giardiasis in dogs, but can be accompanied by other digestive problems, such as:

  • Braken
  • Loss of appetite
  • Frequent flatulence with an unpleasant odour
  • Lack of energy
  • Frequent need to defecate
  • Weight loss
  • Blood in the stool
  • Increased temperature

It is important to know that dogs can be infected with Giardia without showing symptoms, which can make it difficult to determine the presence of the parasite. This is precisely why it is important for dog owners to always clean up their dog's faeces to prevent further spread of the infection.

Causes of giardiasis in dogs Giardia in dogs

The cists, which serve as a protective layer for Giardia, enable this parasite to survive outside the host's body.

Dogs become infected with giardiasis by ingesting these cists through contaminated food or water. Since our four-legged friends are known to regard other people's faeces as a real treat, infection can also occur by eating infected faeces directly.

However, your dog does not necessarily have to ingest cists directly to become infected. Sometimes it is enough for him to sniff another dog's rear end, or lick its snout during an introduction, to contract giardiasis.

How is giardiasis diagnosed in dogs?

If giardiasis is suspected, your vet will first review your dog's medical history and perform a thorough physical examination to assess general health. This will include checking for signs of abdominal bloating, abdominal pain and possible dehydration.

After the physical examination, you will probably have to collect stools from your dog for three consecutive days. This stool will then be sent to the laboratory for analysis to determine the presence of Giardia in the stool.

In addition, your vet may also suggest the following tests:

  • Test for parvovirus to rule out the presence of this very dangerous virus as a possible cause.
  • Coprological research, which is also performed via stool analysis, to rule out other possible intestinal parasites, such as coccidia, toxoplasma and cryptosporidium.

Treatment of giardiasis in dogs Giardia in dogs

The drugs most often used to remove Giardia from a dog's body are Fenbendazole (Panacur) or Metronidazole, an antibiotic. If necessary, your vet may prescribe a combination of these drugs.

Since giardia is a stubborn parasite and removing it from the dog's body can sometimes be difficult, several rounds of treatment may be needed to cure giardiasis completely.

In addition, treatment will vary depending on your dog's health condition. Because Giardia can cause severe diarrhoea and dehydration in some dogs, the vet may prescribe additional medication to combat these symptoms.

Two to four weeks after completing therapy, you should have another stool sample analysed to check whether the giardiasis has completely healed.

 

How can I help my dog recover faster from giardiasis?

As mentioned earlier, giardia can be persistent, and many dog owners feel helpless because, despite therapy, their dog does not seem to fully recover from giardiasis. This is because giardia can be present anywhere, and it is important to take some measures to help your dog recover faster and more effectively.

Cleaning and disinfecting your home Thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting your home daily is crucial to eliminate any remaining giardia cysts in the environment.

  • Pay extra attention to the places where your dog spends a lot of time, such as his basket, blankets, toys and bedding. Wash these places regularly with hot water and a disinfectant to reduce the risk of reinfection.
  • Of course, make sure the disinfectant you use is safe for pets.
  • Remember to always clean up your dog's faeces and throw them in the bin, especially if your dog relieves himself in the garden.

With these steps, you can help your dog recover from giardiasis faster and minimise the chances of reinfection.

 

Bathing your dog

Giardia in dogs It is recommended to wash your dog on the first and last day of therapy to effectively remove any giardiacy residue on his fur.

  • Use a mild dog shampoo and massage it thoroughly into your dog's skin. Then rinse carefully with water to ensure that all shampoo and any remaining cysts have been removed.

Probiotics and special diet for the gastrointestinal tract

Your vet will probably recommend feeding your dog a special gastrointestinal diet during treatment for giardiasis. This will relieve your dog's diarrhoea and contribute to a faster recovery.

  • It is also advisable to include probiotics in your four-legged friend's diet. Probiotics contain beneficial bacteria that support digestive system health and improve the overall effectiveness of therapy.

With proper care, nutrition and hygiene, you can help your dog recover faster from giardiasis and prevent future infections.

Strengthening your dog's immune system
A strong immune system plays a crucial role in protecting and controlling giardia.

Giardia can significantly weaken your dog's immune system. Using nutritional supplements to strengthen the immune system has a powerful effect on both treating giardiasis and preventing a new infection. Trust us, a strong immune system is your dog's biggest enemy of giardia.

By focusing on building a robust immune system, you not only help your dog recover faster, but also reduce the chances of reinfection.

Can my dog transmit giardia to me?

Giardia can be transmitted from dogs to humans. If your dog has giardia, follow hygiene measures to prevent the spread of the infection to yourself or your family.

It is useful to know that giardia survives in water and is sensitive to dry conditions, so it is important to maintain a dry and clean environment.

Conclusion
Giardia is highly contagious and can be difficult to eliminate, so it is important to take it seriously and carefully follow your vet's instructions for treating your pet.

Strengthening your dog's immune system, regular washing, appropriate nutrition and maintaining a clean home play a key role in your pet's recovery.

Always pay close attention to what your dog eats outside - make sure he doesn't eat faeces off the ground and doesn't drink from rain puddles.

In addition, if your pet is infected with giardia, be extra careful when meeting other dogs - we don't want the infection to spread to other four-legged friends!