Giardia Lamblia is a single-celled parasite that is transmitted between dogs. The parasite is present in the intestines and is typically detected by the dog having persistent upset stomach or diarrhea. However, not all dogs develop symptoms.
In dogs that get an upset stomach or diarrhea, the symptoms will typically be persistent, but for some dogs it can fluctuate. In dogs where the upset stomach is not constant, some dog owners mistakenly believe that the stomach is getting better, and therefore fail to take the dog to the vet.
If the dog is infected with the parasite for a long time, it may be weakened, at risk of dehydration and it may be difficult to restore normal intestinal flora. It is therefore important to have your dog examined and treated if symptoms of giardia appear.
How is giardia transmitted:
Giradia is primarily transmitted through feces, and since the parasite causes an upset stomach, it can be difficult for dog owners to catch everything when they try to pick up after their dog. Plus, it doesn't take much more than your dog sniffing another dog that has just cleaned itself.
In addition to being transmitted through feces, giardia can also be transmitted if your dog shares a water bowl with another four-legged friend who is infected with the parasite.
Re-infection: The dog can also re-infect itself if the environment around it is not cleaned optimally - or it is exposed to the infection again in other ways.
Treatment of giardiasis:
If you are unsure whether your dog might have giardia, you can purchase a home test kit or have a test done by your vet. However, if your dog is also lethargic or listless, it is important that you take him to the vet straight away.
If your dog is diagnosed with giardia, it will be treated medically by your veterinarian. Another, and unfortunately sometimes overlooked, part of treatment is cleaning the dog's environment so that it does not re-infect itself.
The home should be thoroughly cleaned with chemical disinfectants, and everything the dog is surrounded by should be washed at a minimum of 60 degrees. The dog should also be bathed thoroughly - you can talk to your vet about what to wash the dog in and what cleaning products they recommend for the rest of the home.
