Giardia is a protozoan or single-celled organism. Dogs can be infected with giardia, and the disease is known as "giardiasis." Giardia is found throughout the United States in streams, but is prevalent in the Rocky Mountain West. Dogs can contract giardia from drinking contaminated water.
It is unknown whether humans can contract giardia from dogs, or whether the giardia that dogs contract is the same type contracted by humans. Different types of giardia may be zoonotic (transmissible from animals to humans), and steps should be taken to ensure that it is not contracted. Giardia is treated with metronidazole, fenbendazole, albendazole or furazolidone.
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Asymptomatic
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Many dogs that contract giardia are asymptomatic, meaning that they show no outward signs of the disease. According to Virginia veterinarian Mike Richards, DVM, it's estimated that as many as 70 percent of dogs have asymptomatic giardia, depending on the region. These dogs may shed giardia in their stools.
Vomiting and Diarrhea
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Dogs who show symptoms of giardiasis often have vomiting and diarrhea. The diarrhea is very smelly and the dog is likely to have liquid or very soft stools. The Vomiting and diarrhea may be acute, meaning that the dog comes down with it and needs to be treated immediately or risk dehydration, or it may be recurrent, meaning that it happens over time.
Weight Loss
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Giardiasis will often cause weight loss in the dog due to the diarrhea. Dogs suffering from chronic or recurrent giardiasis suffer from intestinal malabsorption. Dogs who show chronic diarrhea combined with weight loss should be tested for giardia.
Reinfection
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Because giardia cysts are carried in fecal matter, dogs can become reinfected. Younger dogs are more susceptible to infection than older or adult dogs.
Testing for Giardia
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Even if a dog has all the symptoms of giardia, there may be no cysts or signs of giardia in the dog's stools. Veterinarians may opt to treat the dog based on symptoms rather than cultures or stool samples.
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