Giardia in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatments, and Prevention

Giardia or beaver fever affects both dogs and humans. Keep your family and furry companion safe from Giardia with the help of this article. Learn the causes, signs, and treatments of giardia in dogs, as well as useful tips on how to prevent giardia transmission.

What is giardia in dogs?

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Giardia is not a worm, virus, or bacteria. It is a one-celled parasitic organism that thrives in the intestines of infected dogs. It has two forms. The first is called trophozoites or mature parasites. They can be found in the small intestines of infected animals.Eventually, they turn into their second form, which is the giardia cysts. These organisms are in their infective stage and are shed in dog faeces.

Giardia cysts are quite hardy as they survive for weeks and even months. These organisms can be often found in water and damp places. There they wait until a host unknowingly ingests them. Then, their life cycle begins all over again as trophozoites.

What causes giardia in dogs?

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What makes giardia troubling for many dog owners is that there are countless ways for dogs to contract the disease. The most common transmission method is waterborne such as drinking contaminated water from a puddle.Giardia infection also occurs when your dog ingests or licks anything that is contaminated with the cysts; for example, chewing on grass containing a residue of infected faeces. The cysts may also stick on his fur or paw, which he may unknowingly lick off whilst grooming.

Can humans get giardia from pets?

The probability of giardia transmission from dogs to humans is low. Despite this good news, do not let your guard down. Always make sure to thoroughly wash your hands before and after handling your dog and after disposing of his faeces.

What are the giardia symptoms in dogs?

Many infected dogs tend to be asymptomatic carriers. This means they do not exhibit any canine giardia symptoms. On the other hand, puppies have a greater likelihood of showing clinical signs. To help you assess if your dog has this disease, we have listed down the most common giardia symptoms in dogs:

• Weight loss
• Fatty, watery stool
• Bloody stool
• Unkempt coat
• Periodic diarrhoea
• Mucous in the stool
• Lethar0gy
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea

Does giardia in dogs go away?

In most cases, giardia disappears after a few days or weeks. If you opt not to send him to the vet, make sure to keep a close watch on his symptoms. Once your dog’s diarrhoea starts to be severe or chronic, bring him to the vet right away.Giardia in puppies, older dogs, and sickly adult dogs should also be monitored closely. It is best to get them checked immediately if they show clinical signs of giardia. Without medical treatment, acute diarrhoea may occur, which can be extremely fatal.

How to test for giardia in dogs

Diagnosis can be slightly tricky since faecal exams usually don’t identify the giardia parasite in dogs. Luckily, there are other several tests available such as:

• Faecal smear
  It is used to search for trophozoites, but a less effective way to find giardia cysts.
• Fluorescent antibody test (Fab)
  A more reliable test than the faecal smear. However, sometimes it can yield false results.
• Float test
  It is done by technicians specifically trained for this test, making it a trusty exam. This is used to find worms and even cysts.

• ELISA test
  It is used to look for antigens. The ELISA test is the most reliable exam as it has a higher chance of getting accurate results the first time.

How to cure giardia in dogs

If your dog is diagnosed with giardia, the vet will prescribe a dog parasite giardia medication. Fenbendazole and metronidazole are the most common drugs used to eliminate this parasite. In general, both are given for at least three to ten days to treat giardia.If your dog is suffering from dehydration or severe diarrhoea, supportive treatment with other medications might be necessary. The vet may also advise you to switch your dog’s current diet to a low-residue digestible one. This will aid in lowering the possibility of loose stools.

Some dogs with giardia may need follow-up tests and treatments depending on their condition. Every dog needs to be retested after two to four weeks after they complete the advised treatment. During this time, the vet will work with you to decide the best course of treatment for your dog.

How long to treat giardia in dogs?

You can get rid of giardia for approximately two weeks. Just make sure that you properly follow the instructions for the prescribed medications. Keep in mind that once the treatment is over, you need to bathe your dog. This is to remove any giardia cysts sticking to your dog’s coat.

How contagious is giardia in dogs?

Giardia is highly contagious as it can be easily transmitted. This spells trouble for multi-pet households. Whilst this disease is less likely to be passed on from dogs to cats, dog-to-dog transmission is very possible.

Moreover, a once infected dog is vulnerable to catching the disease again. Thus, you need to take preventive measures to protect your furry friend.

How to prevent giardia in dogs?

Recurrent giardia in dogs can be a headache for many dog owners. Although it cannot be fully prevented, there are many things that you can do to lower its chances of coming back. Here are a few tips that can help you:

1. Ensure that your dog has easy access to freshwater.

This will keep him from looking for puddles to drink from. With that said, restrict his access to any possible contaminated water in your yard as well.

2. If you live in a giardia hotspot area, put a filter on your tap.

It is proven to filtrate cysts. Also, boil the water, but make sure to let it cool before giving it to your dog.

3. If you have a puppy, do not let him go outdoors until advised by the vet.

Remember that younger dogs are the most susceptible to giardia. Instead of going out for walks as exercise, try doing fun indoor doggy games.

4. Giardia is a common occurrence in boarding kennels.

Should you need to place your dog in one, choose a kennel that has proper cleaning and sanitary protocols.

5. Clean up your dog’s faeces right away.

Be sure to use gloves or a scooping tool to avoid accidentally touching it. Washing your hands right after will also help get rid of harmful bacteria.

6. Wash your dog’s hindquarters regularly to prevent giardia cysts from sticking.

Consider getting the fur under his tail trimmed short to keep faeces from getting stuck on it.

7. Boost his immune system to make sure that it can protect her from giardia.

Give her a sufficient amount of balanced meals and exercise. Do not get him stressed as well, as it can negatively affect his immune system.