How Do You Know if a Human Gets Giardia
Does Your Dog Accept Giardia? Go the Facts on Symptoms & Treatments
Giardia is a common intestinal parasite that is spread through the poop of infected animals. Read upwardly on the simple steps you can take to reduce your dog'due south risk of infection.
If your dog has diarrhea that just won't go away, don't ignore it. It could be caused past a common intestinal parasite called Giardia that is spread through the poop of infected animals.
Treatment typically involves medication (and thorough cleaning) to rid your pet and his surroundings of the parasite. And while there aren't whatsoever preventatives available for Giardia in dogs, in that location are simple steps you can take to reduce your dog'south gamble of infection.
What is Giardia?
Giardia duodenalis (also called Giardia intestinalis and Giardia lamblia) is a tiny, single-celled parasite that ordinarily infects the intestines of dogs. According to the Companion Fauna Parasite Council (CAPC), hither's how transmission works:
- Animals infected with Giardia shed the parasite in the course of cysts when they poop, contaminating whatever the poop comes into contact with (e.g. soil, water, dog crate, dog bed, fur). These infectious cysts can survive for months in sure environments.
- A new host canis familiaris becomes infected when information technology accidentally eats or drinks these infectious cysts.
- Once the cysts reach the dog's intestinal tract, the parasites emerge from the cysts and begin eating and multiplying.
- Some of the parasites will form cyst walls around themselves, and and so these cysts will be shed in the domestic dog's poop to go along the cycle.
Given how Giardia is transmitted, it's not surprising that studies accept found an increased rate of infection among dogs who visit dog parks.
Tin People Go Giardia?
Paul Diehl, DVM, of Kansas City Veterinary Care in Kansas City, Mo., explains that Giardia is a zoonotic parasite, pregnant it can be transmitted to humans. "This is one of the reasons why people are discouraged from drinking water from creeks, streams, and rivers," he continues. "If an infected brute defecates nearly [the water source], the parasite cysts in their poop can make their way into the water and infect anyone who swallows them."
Sounds pretty gross, right? We concord. But if you're worried nearly contracting Giardia from your canis familiaris, the Companion Animal Parasite Council says humans are much more likely to go the parasite from other humans and that there is little evidence for direct transmission between dogs and people.
What Are the Symptoms of Giardia in Dogs?
Many dogs infected with the parasite won't show any outward signs of infection. When Giardia does cause disease, it's known as giardiasis. Persistent diarrhea is the most common sign of giardiasis, just if left untreated for a long time, weight loss and even decease can occur.
"Giardia frequently causes very watery diarrhea, then whatever creature that's experiencing diarrhea afterward being exposed to wildlife should be suspected to have the parasite," Diehl says.
Diagnosis involves using either a microscope to examine the dog's poop for Giardia, or an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test to determine if the poop contains antigens (proteins) that are present on the parasite.
How is Giardia in Dogs Treated?
After your pup is diagnosed by his veterinarian, he'll likely be treated with oral medication. In dogs, Giardia is oft treated with fenbendazole (a dewormer), metronidazole (an antibiotic), or a combination of both. And sometimes, a combination of multiple medications including febantel, pyrantel pamoate, and praziquantel can also exist constructive in treating the parasite in dogs. Follow-upwardly testing at your vet may be necessary if clinical signs keep after handling is complete.
If your dog is treated for Giardia, it'south important that y'all selection upward and dispose of your pet'southward poop as soon as possible to subtract the likelihood of spreading more infectious cysts. On the terminal mean solar day of treatment, you'll need to requite your dog a bathroom to remove whatsoever cysts that might be stuck to his fur, since re-infection is possible if any are still hanging effectually. Y'all'll too want to steam-clean or disinfect your pet's environment—including bedding, carpets, and furniture that he likes to lay on.
Is It Possible to Prevent Giardia?
Unfortunately, there aren't any preventative medications available for Giardia in dogs. However, at that place are things y'all can to reduce your canis familiaris's gamble of infection and reinfection. Diehl recommends removing your domestic dog's poop from the yard as shortly as possible and keeping him from drinking out of potentially contaminated h2o sources.
"I also recommend bathing dogs after they swim in ponds and lakes," he adds. "This will wash off parasites that may be stuck in the animal's fur earlier the canis familiaris licks it and develops an infection."
What's the Prognosis afterward Giardia?
Dogs with giardiasis typically reply well to treatment and don't suffer lasting effects from the infection. However, geriatric dogs and dogs with health problems in addition to giardiasis are more than at risk for serious problems, including death.
If your dog'south bathroom habits have you concerned that he may have picked upward a parasite, don't hesitate to reach out to your pet'south veterinary squad. They tin can aid y'all determine if your dog needs to be seen in the clinic. Your veterinarian is also the perfect source for more than specific tips on how to avoid the parasite in your area.
Source: https://www.dailypaws.com/dogs-puppies/health-care/canine-parasites/giardia-in-dogs
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