Canine Giardia

Giardiasis in dogs is a common dog illness which is caused by an unicellular parasite called Giardia lambia. These parasites make themselves attached to the surface lining of the dog's intestine or swim in the mucosal lining of the intestine. Researches show that 14% of the adult dog breeds suffer from canine giardia and 30% of the puppies get this infection once during the puppy stage.

Dogs get this infection through contaminated food and water. The cyst form of Giardia is the causative agent for canine giardiasis. Once the cyst enters the intestine, it releases active and motile trophozoites, which attach to the inner wall of the intestine. Giardia reproduces in a large number and develops a cyst around itself. These cysts are eliminated through the feces of dogs, thereby developing a source of contamination for other dogs. Canine giardia is a major concern for all pet owners.

Canine Giardia Symptoms
The trophozoites develop into a large population and interfere with the food absorption inside the intestine and damage the lining of the intestine. The most common symptom being diarrhea in dogs which is accompanied by soft, smelly and light colored stool. In extreme cases, chronic canine diarrhea is observed. Other symptoms include loss of weight, fatigue, loss of appetite in dogs leading to anorexia. Giardiasis in dogs is also associated with passing of feces containing mucus and irritation in the large intestine. The hematology report shows enhanced white blood cells and mild anemia during the infection period. If left untreated, symptoms will persist for a prolonged period.

Canine Giardia Treatment
Before starting the treatment, your pet's stool sample is diagnosed to see the presence of cysts. ELISA is another option for diagnosing giardia infection in dogs. Giardia in dogs can be treated by administering anti-parasitic drugs such as Metronidazole and Fenbendazole. Metronidazole can be prescribed for a period of five days twice daily in the dose of 200 milligrams. The trade name for this drug is Flagyl. It is recommended that this drug should not be given to pregnant dogs as it can cause defects to the growing fetus. Fenbendazole is given in small doses for a period of three days. Consult your pet's vet before giving your pet any dosage of medicines. These intestinal parasites in dogs cause much trouble to your pets making them sick.

Preventive Measures for Canine Giardia
Keep the place surrounding the kennel clean and free from any organic debris. Proper bathing of the dog with a mild shampoo is a must to keep your pet clean. Maintain personal hygiene by wearing gloves after cleaning the kennel because dogs can transmit this infection to humans. Dog feces are commonly seen in parks and gardens and the cysts survive for a longer time in the dog feces. Therefore, it is a challenging job to clean these areas. Give your dog chlorinated water to drink, you can use only liquid bleach to chlorinate the water. Boiling your dog's drinking water is another option for killing the germs present in water.

With the invention of a vaccine named Giardia Vax, canine giardia can be completely cured. This vaccine can be administered to healthy dogs of age 8 weeks and above. Vaccinating your dog at right time is good for your dog health and helpful in preventing giardia infection. Healthy dog food and proper care are must for your pet to recover fast from giardia infection.