Giardia in Dogs: Symptoms and Treatment

As mentioned above, Giardia duodenalis, also known scientifically by other names such as G.intestinalis or G. lamblia, is a parasitic infectious disease caused by a protozoan parasite with several genotypes, which can affect several species, commonly dogs and cats^[1]. The most common protozoan genotypes that appear in dogs are C and D, and their symptoms can be compared to human's "traveler's diarrhea".

Giardia can live in an infected dog's gut in a fragile form or outdoors in enclosed water or feces, where this parasite can survive for several months. According to The Canadian Veterinary Journal, most cases occur in dogs under one year of age^[2], with 73% of cases occurring in puppies. Those living in kennels, breeders, and research facilities are the most prone to catching this parasite^[3]. Additionally, environments with high animal turnover, such as shelters, can also be hotspots for Giardia transmission due to the increased likelihood of exposure.

The only way in which a dog can get type C or D Giardia is by intake of giardia cysts which are found, as mentioned above, in humid areas or in ground where there is fecal matter. Reservoirs, places with a humid climate, or lakes are common places where giardia can proliferate.

Once the dog has ingested the contaminated ground or water, it will take from 5 to 12 days for the infectious parasite to convert into stool, which is when the parasite is ready to reproduce and affect others.

Although in healthy adult dogs giardia can be transitory and have no further complication than its symptoms, puppies and elderly dogs can have more fatal consequences if they are not treated in time. In such cases, prompt veterinary intervention is crucial to prevent severe dehydration or malnutrition, which can complicate recovery.

You should know that the symptoms of giardia in dogs may vary. The older the dog is, the more difficult it will be to identify them, as they are not as clear as in puppies. Note that symptoms^[4] can be either sudden, temporary, intermittent, or chronic depending on the type of giardia, so make sure you're on guard:

• Soft diarrhea containing: mucus, bad smell, greasy texture
• Vomiting
• Apparent weight loss
• Lethargy

Most animals will not present any of these symptoms at all.

If you notice any of the symptoms described above, you should take your dog to the vet so they can be diagnosed accordingly. The vet may ask for stool samples for a direct smear test, a fecal flotation in order to detect cysts in the dog's stool, and/or a fecal ELISA assay and direct fluorescent antibody in order to detect giardia in cases where symptoms are not that evident.

In cases where symptoms are ambiguous, advanced diagnostic tools such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests can be employed to provide a more accurate diagnosis, thereby ensuring appropriate treatment is administered.

Once your dog has been diagnosed with giardia, your vet will prescribe oral medication in order to treat this parasitic disease. This treatment can last from 3 to 10 days. Your vet will also prescribe a specific shampoo with which you should bathe your dog in order to get rid of any possible stool that may have cysts and could perpetuate your dog's condition.

On the other hand, there are also several things you can do at home to improve your dog's condition:

• Give your dog plenty of water in order to avoid dehydration, which is a common complication when dogs suffer from acute diarrhea
• Feed your dog a soft food diet or bland diet so that the symptoms of diarrhea decrease. Do not feed your dog this diet if they are still vomiting.
• Get rid of any enclosed water you may have in your garden and don't let your dog drink from ponds or any other source of water when taking them for a walk.
• When your dog does its business, immediately get rid of the fecal matter and clean any possible traces. Wash your hands thoroughly straight after.
• Make sure you clean any hard surfaces that may have come into contact with your dog at home with water and bleach (when possible). In the case of carpets, it's recommended to clean them with a steam vacuum.
• When bathing your dog with the prescribed shampoo, do so with hot water and dry in heat too. Make sure your dog is completely dry and there are no humid areas of fur.
• Take your dog to the vet if you notice symptoms of dehydration or your dog suffers from explosive diarrhea, as your dog may have to be hospitalized.

If your dog is still a puppy or is an elderly dog, constant supervision of their hydration is highly important in order for the prognosis to be favorable. Additionally, ensuring that they are receiving balanced nutrition can aid in their recovery and enhance their immune response against the infection.

Can humans get giardia from dogs? This is a common question, as we can contract certain types of giardia too. However, possibilities of contagion between dogs and humans are small, due to the fact that the genotypes that affect both species are usually not the same.

Parasites will only infect humans if they have undergone a period of maturation, which has to be undergone in the feces, which is why it's important to wash your hands thoroughly after having cleaned your dog or handled fecal matter.

The only way of contagion, although not likely, is fecal to oral. This means that if your dog has previously licked their anus and then licks you on the face, there is a chance for parasite eggs to pass on to humans, although chances are remote. Practicing good hygiene and ensuring regular veterinary check-ups for your dog can further minimize this already low risk.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to Giardia in Dogs: Symptoms and Treatment, we recommend you visit our Parasitic diseases category.

• Make sure your dog stays away from kennels and don't let them drink water from ponds, puddles, and other outdoor sources. Additionally, consider routine vet visits to monitor your dog's health, which can help in the early detection of infections like giardia.