What is Giardia in Cats?

As we state in the introduction, there are many different types of parasite. They can be categorized by two main types:

• Endoparasites: otherwise known as internal parasites, these are found in or on tissue inside the body. While many of them can be found in the gastrointestinal tract, they can also work their way into almost any part of the body such as the heart or eyes. Symptoms will depend greatly on location and activity of the parasite.
• Ectoparasites: external parasites which live on the skin or hair of an animal. They are often more noticeable than internal parasites, but this will depend on their size and activity.

In both endoparasites and ectoparasites, we can find various different subcategories. These are generally categorized by their morphology. Technically parasites can be almost any living organism, including plants, insects and even birds. However, the types found in or on cats are more likely to include:

• Worms
• Bacteria
• Mites
• Insects
• Arachnids
• Protozoa

Giardia is a protozoan parasite. Protozoa are a single-celled eukaryotes (meaning they have a nucelus) which sustain themselves by feeding off organic matter. This includes the living tissue of cats. Giardia is the name of the parasite, but the infestation of said parasite is known as giardiasis.

There are two main types of giardia: Giardia lambia and Giardia intestinalis. It is an organism with a flagellated shape and is impossible to view by the naked eye, requiring a microscope to see their shape. They present in two forms, an active trophozoite which can move and a resistant cyst. These two states are different stages in the same life cycle of the giardia parasite. The cyst is hard, infective and can live outside of the host body.

Upon entering the cat's body and becoming a trophozoite, the protozoa travels to the intestine where it adheres to the mucosal walls. In doing so, they feed off the gastrointestinal tissue and damage it. This damage means the intestine cannot perform its normal functions. The cat cannot properly absorb the nutrients and vitamins they need to remain healthy.

Giardiasis is the veterinary medical condition which is caused by the giardia parasite. It initially affects the small intestine of the cat, often not providing any noticeable symptoms immediately. Eventually, the problem develops until the entire digestive system is affected, in turn causing the overall health of the cat to deteriorate.

Infection is most common in animals with low immunity, such as those suffering from feline leukemia (FeLV) or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Kittens and senior cats also have lowered immunity and are therefore more susceptible to infestation. Due to the close living quarters and shared amenities of cats in shelters or large cat colonies, the spread of the parasite is more likely.

Giardiasis in itself is unlikely to be fatal, but it can cause already immunosuppressed cats to deteriorate badly. The giardia parasite is highly infectious and is zoonotic, meaning it is contagious to humans.

Now we know what giardia is, we need to know more about how it functions. Outdoor cats are more likely to be contract a giardia infestation. This is partly due to the fact that the giardia protozoa is incubated in humid environments with poor hygiene. Your cat is more likely to acquire the parasite if:

• They approach areas where other animals have defecated. Feces of an infested cat can be contaminated with the cyst form of giardia, although you will not always be able to find evidence of infestation in the feces of an affected cat. Contact with infested feces can remain attached to your cat's paw. The cat then licks the paw which can then enter the digestive tract through the mouth.
• They drink from puddles of water. Water can be contaminated with giardia, entering the cat's body via this vector.
• They are a kitten and is feeding from a mother cat which is infested with giardia.
• They groom another cat which is infested with the parasite.

While going outside can make contagion more likely, these vectors are not limited to the outdoors. An affected cat which lives in a home with other animals can easily cause the parasite to spread.

Despite its relative prevalence, diagnosis of giardia in cats is not always straight forward. Giardia is often detected by examining a stool sample under a microscope. However, even though a cat may be infested with giardia, doesn't mean they will show up in a stool sample.

The veterinarian will not be able to review the sample in their clinic, but will need to send it to a laboratory for analysis. If giardia is suspected, but the analysis comes back negative, the test will likely be repeated several times. Samples will need to be taken at different times until the presence of giardia can be completely ruled out.

A test called ELISA (enzyme-linked immuniabsorbent assay) has recently been introduced in certain territories^[1]. This test is much more sensitive and specific than immunofluorescence microscopy, another method of detecting parasites.

When a cat has been tested positive for giardia, it is necessary to act immediately. This will be essential in eliminating the parasite completely and prevent them from being infested again. Drugs including metronidazole and fenbendazole are usually prescribed, either alone or in combination. They are prescribed for 7 to 12 day treatments, depending on the severity of the infestation.

Rigorous administration of the treatment is vital. Even a single day of missed treatment can render it ineffective. You will also need to provide your cat with plenty of fresh water to avoid medication related dehydration.

You will need to immediately clean any and all places your cat spends their time. Using gloves and enzymatic cleaning products will help to do an effective job as well as protect us from infestation. If you have a longhair cat, it is also important to remove any hair in the home. Ensure you let the areas dry completely before allowing the cat access to the area. This is, of course, after they have been given the all-clear by the veterinarian.

Simple measures in the home can be implemented to best prevent the spread of giardia. They include:

• Vaccinate your cats. There is a vaccine for giardiasis which is not 100% effective, but still reduces the possibility of infestation.
• Deworming products can also help reduce the spread of parasites.
• Maintain a thorough hygiene routine for your cat. Perform regular brushing, clean their litter tray regularly, ensure their feeders are washed routinely and avoid leaving possibly affected material in the home. This will also help the spread of any parasites, bacteria or fungus.
• Do not let your cat come in contact with stray animals or those which are not vaccinated, dewormed, etc.
• Do not let them share drinking water with other animals.
• If your cat has diarrhea which persists for more than 24 hours, visit a veterinarian for examination.
• Make regular checkups for your cat's health and hygiene.

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 What is Giardia in Cats?, we recommend you visit our Parasitic diseases category.