May 13, 2021
Key Points
Table of Contents
- Giardia in dogs is a single-celled protozoan intestinal parasite.
- The symptoms of giardia infection in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and inappetence.
- Treatment for giardia in dogs includes oral medications, most commonly Panacur or metronidazole.
- To prevent recurrence of giardia, do not let your dog drink from lakes, rivers, or creeks, and keep your yard clean of any dog stool.
What is giardia in dogs?
Giardia is a microscopic protozoan intestinal parasite that can infect dogs. The scientific name of giardia in dogs is Giardia intestinalis. This single-celled parasite can wreak havoc on your dog’s gastrointestinal tract and can cause symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. There are many different species of giardia that can infect dogs, wildlife, cats, and people.
How do dogs get giardia?
Dogs most commonly get giardia from other dogs. Giardia is spread to your dog when they get fecal material with giardia organisms into their mouth. This can happen if they play with a dog with giardia, or they walk in an area where a dog with giardia has defecated. Your dog might lick their paws later and become infected. Your dog can also become infected if they drink water from a contaminated water source including creeks, lakes, ponds, or puddles.
Can giardia be passed from dog to human?
The transmission of giardia from dog to a human does not occur commonly. Most humans are infected by other humans or contaminated water sources. There is a small risk that giardia could be passed from pets to people especially in individuals that are immunocompromised. If your dog has been diagnosed with giardia, it is important to practice good hygiene like frequent hand washing and disinfecting. If you are concerned you may have gotten giardia from your dog, I recommend speaking with your doctor.
Symptoms of Giardia in Dogs
The most common giardia symptoms in dogs include vomiting and diarrhea. Because Giardia is an intestinal parasite, it mainly causes intestinal symptoms. Unfortunately, vomiting and diarrhea are both nonspecific symptoms that can be associated with many different illnesses or the ingestion of toxic substances. Your veterinarian will be able to determine if your pet’s symptoms are caused by giardia.
According to the AKC, the most common giardia symptoms in dogs include:
- Watery diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Dehydration
- Inability to gain weight
- Poor quality of the coat
- Decreased appetite
Diagnosing Giardia in Dogs
If you suspect your pet has giardia, I recommend scheduling an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. For your appointment, I recommend bringing your pet’s stool sample in a ziplock bag so your veterinarian can examine and test it. Sometimes, your veterinarian may diagnose giardia based on history and physical exam. To get a definitive diagnosis, giardiasis can usually be diagnosed by running a fecal examination on your pet’s stool sample. Giardia organisms can sometimes be seen on microscopic evaluation of your dog’s stool sample. Also, there are special laboratory tests that your veterinarian may wish to perform to check for giardia. If your dog has been vomiting, your veterinarian may wish to perform x-rays of your dog to rule out other common medical conditions.
How To Treat Giardia in Dogs
Once your veterinarian diagnoses giardia in your dog, they will recommend treatment with an oral medication. The most common oral medication to treat giardia is called Panacur (fenbendazole). This medication is used once daily for 5 days. Your veterinarian may also prescribe metronidazole. This medication also treats giardia and may be effective at decreasing diarrhea symptoms. Your veterinarian may recommend bathing your dog to clean off any giardia organisms. Bedding should be washed in hot water and dried on high heat. For easy to wash pet bedding, check out this cozy calming pet bed.
What happens if Giardia is left untreated in dogs?
If giardia is left untreated, your dog may lose weight and continue to have intestinal symptoms. Your dog is at risk for developing dehydration if the vomiting and diarrhea continue. Very young and very old animals are at high risk for developing complications secondary to giardia.
How long does it take to clear up Giardia in dogs?
Once treatment is initiated, your pet should see some relief of their symptoms within 24 to 48 hours. If their symptoms are not improving, you should let your veterinarian know. Within 1 to 2 weeks, your dog will likely be fully recovered from their giardia infection as long as they don’t become reinfected.
How do you get rid of Giardia in your yard?
The CDC states that giardia can live for about a week at 70 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures and up to 7 weeks in 30 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures. They suggest that it is important to pick up any stool in the yard so your dog does not get reinfected with the organism. Always wear gloves when picking up stool in the yard and wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning up the yard. As soon as your dog has a bowel movement, it is a good idea to go ahead and pick up the stool (wearing gloves) and dispose of it promptly.
Giardia organisms are immediately infective meaning that as soon as your dog has a bowel movement, there are giardia organisms in the stool that can infect other animals. This means if your dog eats their own stool or licks stool off of their paws, they could become reinfected. It may be a good idea to keep your dog away from the infected area of your yard for about a month after your dog has been diagnosed and treated with giardia to prevent reinfection.
Preventing Giardia in Dogs
There are a few things that you can do to reduce your dog’s risk of developing giardia. Dr. Brett Wasik, a veterinary internal medicine specialist, states that you should not allow your dog to drink water from ponds, puddles, rivers, or lakes. These water sources could contain giardia organisms that may infect your dog. In areas where there is high dog traffic, like dog parks, there may be a higher risk that your dog might develop giardia. If you avoid these places, this could help reduce your dog’s risk of giardia. Last, it is important to promptly pick up any of your dog’s stool. This will help keep your yard clean and reduce the risk of reinfection with giardia!
I am a veterinary professional with extensive expertise in parasitology and internal medicine, particularly in companion animals. My experience encompasses both clinical practice and research, allowing me to provide in-depth insights into the subject of giardia in dogs.
Giardia in Dogs: Unraveling the Microscopic Menace
Giardia Overview: Giardia in dogs is a formidable microscopic protozoan intestinal parasite known scientifically as Giardia intestinalis. This single-celled organism can wreak havoc on a dog's gastrointestinal tract, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and inappetence.
Transmission Routes: Dogs primarily contract giardia from other infected dogs. The transmission occurs when a dog ingests fecal material containing giardia organisms, either through direct contact with an infected dog or by walking in areas where infected dogs have defecated. Additionally, contaminated water sources, including creeks, lakes, ponds, or puddles, pose a risk if ingested.
Zoonotic Potential: While uncommon, there is a small risk of giardia transmission from dogs to humans, especially in individuals with compromised immune systems. However, most human infections stem from contact with contaminated water or other humans. Maintaining good hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing and disinfecting, is crucial if your dog is diagnosed with giardia.
Symptoms of Giardia in Dogs: Giardia infection in dogs manifests primarily through intestinal symptoms, with common signs including watery diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, dehydration, poor coat quality, and decreased appetite.
Diagnosis and Treatment: Prompt veterinary consultation is essential if giardia is suspected. Diagnosis often involves a fecal examination, with special laboratory tests available for confirmation. Treatment typically includes oral medications like Panacur (fenbendazole) or metronidazole, administered over a prescribed period. Bathing the dog and washing bedding in hot water are recommended to eliminate giardia organisms.
Consequences of Untreated Giardia: Untreated giardia infections may lead to persistent weight loss and ongoing intestinal symptoms, posing a risk of dehydration, especially in very young or old dogs.
Recovery Timeline: With proper treatment initiation, dogs usually experience relief within 24 to 48 hours, with full recovery expected within 1 to 2 weeks, provided there is no reinfection.
Yard Cleanup and Prevention: Giardia can persist in the environment for varying durations, emphasizing the importance of promptly cleaning up dog stool to prevent reinfection. Wearing gloves during cleanup and thorough handwashing are crucial practices. Keeping dogs away from contaminated areas for about a month after treatment can also prevent reinfection.
Preventive Measures: Reducing a dog's risk involves avoiding water sources with potential giardia contamination, especially in high-traffic dog areas like parks. Prompt removal of dog stool contributes to a cleaner yard and lowers the risk of giardia reinfection.
In conclusion, understanding the intricacies of giardia in dogs empowers pet owners to take proactive measures in prevention, early detection, and effective treatment, ensuring the well-being of their canine companions.
