Giardia in Dogs | Pets & Parasites: The Pet Owner's Parasite Resource (2024)

FAQs

Giardia in Dogs | Pets & Parasites: The Pet Owner's Parasite Resource? ›

Giardia is a single-celled parasite that lives in your dog's intestine. It infects older dogs but more frequently infects puppies. Dogs become infected when they swallow Giardia that may be present in water or other substances that have been soiled with feces.

Fenbendazole is a common deworming medication used to treat Giardia. Another treatment option is an antibiotic called metronidazole. Your veterinarian may also use the two medications in combination.

You are unlikely to get a Giardia infection from dogs or cats. The type of Giardia that makes people sick is usually not the same type that makes dogs and cats sick. If you have other kinds of pets, ask your veterinarian if your pets are likely to spread Giardia to you.

Although giardia flare-ups may come and go on their own, the parasite itself must be treated with medication. Metronidazole is the most common medication given for the treatment of giardia. It is an antibiotic that attacks the parasite and helps the dog's body recover more quickly.

Pets often have Giardia, too. Signs and symptoms may range from nothing at all to any of those listed below, and can last for 1 to 2 weeks or longer . Symptoms can come and go and can include: Diarrhea.

Can I get giardia from my dog licking me? Fortunately, the risk of humans contracting Giardia from dogs is relatively low, but it can happen.

Thankfully giardia is quite susceptible to many of our herbal antimicrobials including garlic (11), oregano, and guava leaf (12). Many other herbal antimicrobials are helpful, and in most cases natural treatment for Giardia can be effective in as little as two weeks of herbal treatment.

Since your dog can transmit the giardia infection to you and your family, it's important to take precautions. Wash your hands frequently, especially after you handle your dog and their fecal matter. Remove your dog's fecal matter from the environment as soon as possible.

Cleaning and disinfecting can help remove Giardia germs from a space where a person or pet was recently sick. Reduce the chances of getting sick, or your pet getting sick again, by cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and items.

Common household disinfectants and steam-cleaning are the most effective ways for killing Giardia cysts. Remove and dispose of all feces promptly. Giardia cysts on the lawn can only be killed by direct sunlight drying them.

What does dog poop look like with Giardia? ›

The stool may range from soft to watery, often has a greenish tinge, and occasionally contains blood. Infected dogs tend to have excess mucus in their feces. Vomiting may occur in some cases. The signs may persist for several weeks, and gradual weight loss may become apparent.

While your companion is being treated for giardia we recommend adding 1 tbsp per 10 pounds body weight of no sugar added canned pumpkin twice a day to your companion's food. Continue feeding the canned pumpkin until we confirm a fecal result with no evidence of giardia.

Feeding your dog a bland and easily digestible diet can help the intestine heal from giardia. Work with your vet to find ingredients, like boiled chicken and rice, that are still nutritious and tasty for your pup.

If your dog or cat is taking medicine to treat a Giardia infection, clean and disinfect their items (like toys, bowls, and bed) every day. This makes it less likely that your pet will get sick again.

Your vet may want to prescribe medication for treatment. But drugs can cause avoidable and unnecessary side effects. So, you may be wondering: “Can infected dogs recover from giardia without medication?” I say yes.

Dogs with Giardia should be bathed 1 – 2 times a week to remove cysts from the fur and prevent re-infection. Any dog beds, bowls, toys, or things the infected dog came into contact with should be washed.

The environment may need to be treated to prevent reinfection. One cup of chlorine bleach in a gallon of water is an effective disinfectant for Giardia cysts. If your dog has a kennel or an outdoor concrete or gravel run you should disinfect it, and cat litter pans should also be treated with bleach solution.

Feeding your dog a bland and easily digestible diet can help the intestine heal from giardia. Work with your vet to find ingredients, like boiled chicken and rice, that are still nutritious and tasty for your pup.

Some experts point to stool eating ( copraphagia ) as a symptom of Giardiasis in dogs because the infected dog will attempt to regain nutrients and bacteria lost through diarrhea.

Symptoms of giardiasis may include: Explosive, watery, foul-smelling stools. Greasy stools that tend to float.